Team Pro Circuit


Team Pro Circuit is a Motorcross and Supercross team based in Corona, California. It is owned and operated by Mitch Payton. Team Pro Circuit competes in the AMA Motocross and Supercross championships on Kawasaki 250cc four-stroke motorcycles.
Team Pro Circuit has hosted over 50 riders, winning 30 AMA professional championships and collecting accolades including 150 AMA Supercross wins, over 100 AMA Motocross wins and 6 MXON victories.Pro Circuit has won more championships AMA championships than any of their competitors.
Notable riders who have competed with Team Pro Circuit include Ricky Carmichael, Jeremy McGrath, James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto.

History

Team Owner Mitch Payton started riding motorcycles when grandparents bought him a Honda C90 Step Through. His passion developed over the years to the point where he was racing motorcycles competitively in the deserts of California. At age 17, Payton was racing in California City, California. Payton fell violently down a steep hill, damaging the nerve passages along his spine, resulting in him losing the use of his legs.
Following the incident, Payton wanted to stay in the motorcycle racing community and did so by purchasing the motorcycle store that supported him during his racing days " Anaheim Husqvarna " in 1978. Along with selling Motorcycles themselves, Payton designed and produced components such as exhaust pipes and suspension components to improve the performance of the motorcycles. Payton thought it unlikely that other motorcycle shops would stock and sell his performance parts if they were marketed under the business name of his motorcycle shop, which was competing for customers. Payton's solution was the creation of a business name to sell his parts, "Pro Circuit". A Friend of Payton campaigned for him to build parts for other brands of motorcycles, something at the time Payton thought was redundant as those motorcycles seen to have good performance. The first component he produced for a make of motorcycle other than Husqvarna was an exhaust for a 125cc Honda motorcycle. Sales of the exhaust far surpassed Payton's expectations. Payton took this success as a sign he should expand his product line even further to making parts for all makes and models.
Payton's success caught the attention of big name riders and industry people alike, including Motorcross legend Rodger De Coster who was running the Factory Honda professional racing effort at the time. De Coster met with Payton to try his performance parts, specifically his exhaust pipe and modified engine, De Coster was impressed and contracted Payton to supply his team with engines.
At the end of 1990 De Coster approached Payton and asked him if he would be interested in taking over the Factory Honda racing team in a management position. Payton accepted forming what formally became known as a "satellite" style team.

Team Peak / Pro Circuit / [Honda] : 1991–1992

In 1991 Payton ventured into professional racing with Team Peak / Pro Circuit/ Honda.
The most notable rider to join the team in its first year was Jeremy McGrath. McGrath signed a contract Factory Honda from amateur racing. McGrath was startled when Honda assigned him to Team Pro Circuit as the team was brand we and considered to be a satellite team.
In 1991 Team Pro Circuit won the Supercross lites class in the west division and east division. Both Jeremy Beuhl and Steve Lamson finished in podium positions in their respective Supercross lites championships. This represented a monumental achievement for the team. From this point the team established its place as a front runner in the Supercross lites championship.
In 1992 Jeremy McGrath again won the Supercross Lites West championship aboard a Honda, with Buddy Antunez following behind in second place. Team Pro Circuit didn't have the same success in the East division.
Despite a successful two seasons, the end of 1992 saw Honda decide to dissolve their support for the team.

Team Splitfire / Pro Circuit / Kawasaki">Kawasaki Heavy Industries">Kawasaki: 1993–2000

The season of 1993 was Team Pro Circuits first year with sponsorship from Kawasaki motorcycles. This partnership formed late in the 1992 offseason as the team expected continued support from Honda. Honda's withdrawal lead to financial struggles. Payton was forced to search for financial sponsorship as Kawasaki was only able to supply bikes and parts as they had already assigned their sponsorship cash pool to other teams.
Hot Wheels, the popular toy brand came to the team's rescue. However, the sponsorship was not without controversy. The sponsorship came after a dispute over the name of a video game the toy maker was producing. The game used the trademarked title "Pro circuit". Mitch Payton demanded that Hot Wheels pay him loyalties or sponsor his racing team. They chose the latter. The team achieved Supercross championships in the 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000.
Ricky Carmichael signed with the team in 1997. He won the team an outdoor championship in his rookie season. This was a monumental achievement as it seemed the team had finally been able to translate their success in Supercross to the Motocross championship. Furthermore, this period represented the formative years of Ricky Carmichael, who would go on to be one of the best riders of all time.

Team Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki">Kawasaki Heavy Industries">Kawasaki: 2001–2003

In 2001 the team again experienced a significant change in sponsorship. Hot Wheels withdrew their support for the team and Splitfire spark-plugs where far less prominent on the team's motorcycles. Kawasaki stayed on as the motorcycle sponsor.
During this period team experienced a dry spell in the Supercross series. From 2000 to 2003 no championships were won. The drought was finally broken in 2004 by Ivan Tedesco.
During the same period Mike Brown won the 2001 Motocross championship

Team [Monster Energy] / Pro Circuit / Kawasaki">Kawasaki Heavy Industries">Kawasaki: 2004–2019

Supercross and Motocross racing changed significantly in this period as teams began to compete almost exclusively on 4 stroke motorcycles. Motorcycle manufacturers, including Kawasaki had invested heavily in 4 stroke technology in the preceding years, primarily focusing on higher displacement motorcycles. In 2004 the first production Kawasaki KX250F was released and as such, Team Pro Circuit changed their development focus from 2 stroke 125cc motorcycles, to 250cc four-stroke motorcycles. The new four-stroke motorcycles were heavier by comparison to the highly-optimised 2-stroke motocycles that had evolved over the years, however also represented significant advantages over the 2 stroke bikes. Payton tried to avoid racing 4 strokes, however, did not have his way. R&D demands on the team leading up to the 2004 season were sizeable. The team was tasked with optimising much more complicated motorcycles. Payton hired experts to advise him on how to develop his new race machines. The team engaged in rigorous testing to sort the suspension on the new motorcycles and arrived on the start line in 2004 ready to race.
Monster Energy came on as a title sponsor and the team rebranded.
They experienced success immediately with Ivan Tedesco in the Supercross season of 2004, taking the championship. This marked the start of 9 consecutive championship winning years for Team Pro Circuit.
In the following years, Pro Circuit dominated the 250cc Supercross and Motocross competitions, winning all the championships the team contested in 2005 and 2007.
2006 saw the arrival of Ryan Villopoto who would go on to become one of the most successful riders in recent history. Villopoto dominated the competition, winning championships in each of the three years he competed with Team Pro Circuit before moving on after the 2008 outdoor season.
In 2013, Team Pro Circuit introcuced 11 time AMA Amateur National Motocross Champion Adam Cianciarulo to the team. This came about though Mitch Paytons relationship with "Team Green", Kawasaki's amateur racing effort which Cinaciarulo was part of. Having been the most winning rider in amateur Motocross history, and also winning his first ever Supercross race, Cianciarulo was forecast to be the sports next big superstar. However, in 2013 Team Pro Circuit failed to earn any championship titles. A championship-less streak lasting 3 years followed. Rider injuries plagued the team. Contracted riders were unable to compete and results were not as good as they had been passed.
Justin Hill won the team's first championship in 4 years in 2017, taking the Supercross Lites West title.
In the years since, Team Pro Circuit has been present in the championship chase.
Notably in 2019, Team Pro Circuit held leading positions in the Supercross lites 250 East and West competitions before injury and mistakes resulted in the team losing both championships.

Current Motorcycle

Team Pro Circuit currently race the 2019 Kawasaki KX250F. The motorcycle is modified by Team Pro Circuit subject to the AMA Rule Book.
In its stock form, the motorcycle has the following technical specifications.
Engine
Suspension
Chassis
Features of the Team Pro Circuit racing machine are:
Team Pro Circuit currently competes in the United States. The team competes in 250cc competitions in both Supercross and Motocross. Team Pro Circuit competes in the following professional series;
The Indoor motorcycle racing championship in the United States. Competition takes place in the winter months.
The premiere Motocross racing championship in the United States. Competition takes place in the summer months.

Current Team Personnel

Owner / Team Manager
Notable current and past brand sponsorships and associations.

Notable Riders

Over the years Team Pro Circuit has housed many successful riders. Some notable riders are listed below.
Results for Team Pro Circuit in each year of competition.
YearRiderResultAMA SupercrossAMA Motocross
1991Brian Swink1Supercross Lites East4
Jeremy Buehl2Supercross Lites East16
Jeremy McGrath1Supercross Lites West5
Steve Lamson3Supercross Lites West6
1992Buddy Antunez2Supercross Lites West16
Jeremy Buehl16Supercross Lites East22
Jeremy McGrath1Supercross Lites West8
Mike Brown7Supercross Lites East24
1993James Dobb9Supercross Lites West11
Jimmy Gaddis1Supercross Lites West22
Mike Chamberlain8Supercross Lites West22
1994James Dobb6Supercross Lites West6
Pedro Gonzalez2Supercross Lites West13
Ryan Huges4Supercross Lites West4
1995David Pingree3Supercross Lites West12
Mickaël Pichon1Supercross Lites East5
Pedro Gonzalez9Supercross Lites West44
Ryan Huges2Supercross Lites West2
1996Casey Johnson6Supercross Lites West17
Chad Pederson26Supercross Lites West8
David Pingree9Supercross Lites West28
Mickael Pichon1Supercross Lites East14
1997Casey Johnson3Supercross Lites West6
Craig Decker6Supercross Lites West19
David Pingree16Supercross Lites East14
Ricky Carmichael3Supercross Lites East1
1998Casey Johnson——3
Nathan Ramsey4Supercross Lites West10
Nick Wey——9
Ricky Carmichael1Supercross Lites East1
1999Billy Payne14Supercross Lites West56
Nathan Ramsey1Supercross Lites West5
Nick Wey2Supercross Lites East4
Shea Bentley18Supercross Lites East1
Scott SheakWithdrewSupercross Lites West19
2000Billy Payne10Supercross Lites West—
Nathan Ramsey12Supercross Lites East21
Nick Wey4Supercross Lites East9
Shea Bentley1Supercross Lites West6
Tallon Vohland12Supercross Lites West—
2001Bobby Bonds15Supercross Lites East3
Casey Lytle20Supercross Lites West19
Mike Brown3Supercross Lites East28
Shea Bentley14Supercross Lites West1
Tallon Vohland5Supercross Lites East34
2002Bobby Bonds35Supercross Lites West24
Eric Sorby15Supercross Lites West27
Matt Walker10Supercross Lites West12
Mike Brown2Supercross Lites East6
2003Eric Sorby6Supercross Lites West19
Justin BuckelewWithdrewSupercross Lites East12
Matt Walker5Supercross Lites West—
Mike Brown2Supercross Lites East—
2004Ivan Tedesco1Supercross Lites West4
Matt Walker52Supercross Lites West6
Stephane Roncada3Supercross Lites West4
2005Grant Langston1Supercross Lites East4
Ivan Tedesco1Supercross Lites West1
Matt Walker7Supercross Lites East9
Paul Carpenter15Supercross Lites West11
2006Ben TownleyWithdrewSupercross Lites East24
Chris Gosselaar2Supercross Lites East20
Grant Langston1Supercross Lites West26
Ryan Villopoto3Supercross Lites West1
Troy AdamsWithdrewSupercross Lites East10
2007Ben Townley1Supercross Lites East2
Brett Metcalfe  WithdrewSupercross Lites East7
Chris Gosselaar5Supercross Lites West20
Christophe Pourcel16Supercross Lites West—
Darcy Lange3Supercross Lites East—
Ryan Villopoto1Supercross Lites West1
2008Austin Stroupe3Supercross Lites West16
Brett Metcalfe  4Supercross Lites West3
Ryan Villopoto2Supercross Lites East1
Branden Jasseman4Supercross Lites East28
2009Jake Weimer2Supercross Lites West4
Austin Stroupe2Supercross Lites East17
Christophe Pourcel1Supercross Lites East2
Ryan Morais3Supercross Lites West33
Tyla Rattray——28
2010Jake Weimer1Supercross Lites West11
Christophe Pourcel1Supercross Lites East3
Dean Wilson6Supercross Lites East4
Tyla RattrayDNRSupercross Lites East2
Josh Hansen6Supercross Lites EastDNR
2011Dean Wilson2Supercross Lites East1
Broc Tickle1Supercross Lites West7
Tyla Rattray7Supercross Lites West2
Blake Baggett4Supercross Lites East3
Josh Hansen3Supercross Lites WestDNR
2012Dean Wilson2Supercross Lites WestDNR
Broc Tickle95
Tyla Rattray15Supercross Lites WestDNR
Blake Baggett4Supercross Lites East1
Darryn Durham5Supercross Lites EastDNR
Ivan TedescoDNRDNR17
2013Dean Wilson7Supercross Lites East26
Martin Davalos5Supercross Lites West15
Tyla Rattray8Supercross Lites West12
Blake Baggett29Supercross Lites West4
Darryn DurhamDNRDNR14
Adam Cianciarulo——16
Justin Hill12Supercross Lites East12
Tyler Bowers16Supercross Lites East—
2014Blake Baggett6Supercross Lites East2
Dean Wilson3Supercross Lites West10
Martin Davalos2Supercross Lites EastDNR
Justin Hill4Supercross Lites West14
Darryn Durham21Supercross Lites WestDNR
Adam Cianciarulo5Supercross Lites EastDNR
Chris Alldredge——21
2015Joey Savagy4Supercross Lites East3
Adam CianciaruloDNRSupercross Lites East14
Chris Alldredge18Supercross Lites West13
Arnaud Tonus19Supercross Lites East30
Tyler Bowers9Supercross Lites WestDNR
2016Chris Alldredge12Supercross Lites West26
Joey Savagy2Supercross Lites West3
Adam CianciaruloDNRSupercross Lites East8
Tyler Bowers5Supercross Lites EastDNR
Arnaud Tonus21Supercross Lites East9
Austin Forkner——4
2017Joey Savagy3Supercross Lites East5
Austin Forkner6Supercross Lites West13
Adam Cianciarulo2Supercross Lites East3
Justin Hill1Supercross Lites West19
2018Joey Savagy4Supercross Lites West9
Austin Forkner4Supercross Lites East7
Adam Cianciarulo2Supercross Lites WestDNR
Martin Davalos14Supercross Lites EastDNR
Garrett Marchbanks———
2019Austin Forkner3Supercross Lites EastDNR
Garrett Marchbanks10Supercross Lites West14
Martin Davalos4Supercross Lites East18
Adam Cianciarulo2Supercross Lites West1