Dunlop to Support Army of Darkness 2023 Endurance Racing Program

Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Army of Darkness (AOD) marks its 30th anniversary of endurance racing by registering to race in the WERA/N2 national endurance series for 2023. The team is set to defend its championship title and attempt to win its 21st national championship on Dunlop tires.

Army of Darkness will remain on their tested and proven Yamaha YZF-R1 platform using an engine built by KWS to contest the six-round series. The entire 2022 crew are returning to staff the pits and prepare the bikes but now with the performance and durability of Dunlop tires.

Veteran AOD riders (and YCRS lead instructors) Chris Peris, Ben Walters and Cody Wyman will be joined by four-time American superbike champion and racing legend; Josh Hayes!  

“It’s an honor to race with Army of Darkness again in 2023, and I can’t wait to get testing. I am familiar with Dunlop tires and had success on them in the past. I am very much looking forward to another season racing endurance and I’m prepared to help defend our national title,” Cody Wyman.

Chris Peris, "I've been riding on Dunlops on our YCRS school bikes so I'm pretty familiar with their grip and longevity. It's going to be great to put their slicks on the endurance bike and campaign for another season. Its also going to be awesome to share the pits with Josh, as well as Cody and Ben."

Josh Hayes, "I had a great time last season riding in some of the N2/WERA events. I've known the AOD crew for decades and I can't wait to work with them to help get the best out of the Yamaha and the Dunlops. Chris, Cody and Ben are such great team mates that we should have a lot of fun at the track this year.

Ben Walters, "We've gotten to have a first person view of the speed and durability of the Dunlops for the last ten years. Those guys really made us work hard! This year the competition looks to be as tough as ever so its going to be great to have the technical support of the title sponsor on our side. With the supply chain complications of the last few years, it is a relief to know our tires are being built in Buffalo New York."

Another long-time friend of the team with a reunion story is Tony Romo. Previously a championship winning pro-mechanic, Romo is now the Senior Race Technician with Dunlop Motorcycle Tires. “I’ve known the AOD guys for over twenty years. I helped them out with a kit transmission for one of their R1 race bikes fifteen years ago and the AOD guys did a pit stop for us in 2011 for the first modern Dunlop foray into endurance racing! For the past few years, we’ve had a friendly rivalry when AOD were campaigning on other brands of tires and I am thrilled that Dunlop is able to partner with the top endurance team, with a storied rider line up and the most experienced crew in the pits. I am confident that we’ll be able to give Josh, Chris, Ben and Cody the traction they need to keep that AOD beast of a bike up front.”

Be sure to look out for the Dunlop supported AOD team starting May 26th at the WERA/N2 Endurance series opener at Road Atlanta!

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:

Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit: www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.

About Army Of Darkness:

AOD is sponsored by: ArmyofDarkness.com, Dunlop, Yamaha Champions Riding School, Yamaha, Industry 13, Wood Craft, Hindle, Supersprox, Thermosman, N2, WERA, Roadracing World.