Supermoto Rider Dustin Hoffman Makes a Splash in 2012
- Jul 30, 2012
If Supermoto is the ultimate equalizer in motorcycle racing, Dustin Hoffman is the ultimate rider. The 20-year-old from Temecula, California has taken the Supermoto community by its reigns and not let go in 2012. Through 7 races, Hoffman has 5 wins, and the only thing keeping him from a perfect record is a mental mistake while leading and a flat tire. "This year has gone very well for me so far," Hoffman said. "I've been training really hard at the motocross track and at Crossfit Temecula South to ensure that I'm physically fit beyond what's necessary. I've got to be happy with the way the year is going as a result." Hoffman started the season with a bang, winning at the Stateline Supermoto Challenge. "That had to be the best moment of the year thus far. A lot of people had written me off due to the trouble I had last year, so it was an awesome feeling to come out and win the first race of the season." Hoffman comes from a racing family. His father, Rick, was a world-class Formula One Boat racer and builder before moving into road racing. Dustin's brother, Ryan, also started in road racing, winning a few AMA races before moving into the Supermoto ranks. It was an injury to Ryan that opened the door for Dustin to start racing in Supermoto. "I was out doing local races on mini's when an ACL injury sidelined him. He had me come ride his bike, and that's where it all started." Hoffman went on to win the national amateur championship in 2008 in both the 250 and 450 divisions. After finishing third in points in 2009 in the AMA series and getting an invite to compete at the X Games, Hoffman appeared headed for stardom. But after a rough two-year stint, Hoffman knew he had to make a splash in 2012. The rest of the Supermoto Riders Coalition wishes he hadn't. Hoffman and his ProMoto, Team ECC Honda leads the points in the series by 6 points over Ryan Kearns, and the two of them have made it a two-horse race in the Premier division. Hoffman is looking forward to the next three events stateside, in Wisconsin, Colorado and Oklahoma, but he already has his eye on the premier international event as well.
Supermoto, while popular in the states, is huge in Europe, and a strong showing by Hoffman at the Superbiker event would go a long way toward bringing Supermoto back to the AMA circuit in the United States. But while victory is always the goal in racing, Hoffman said being at peace with his performance has become just as important as holding up a trophy at the end of a race. "I just want to ride well. I'm not as concerned with winning (as in years past), I just want to be happy with the way I ride and handle myself at the end of the race. Whether I end up first or fifth, as long as I'm happy with how I ride, everything is good." "I am very proud to be able to represent K&N Filters because they have backed me for many years. K&N is awesome and provides instant horsepower when you put their product on your bike, and I can't thank K&N enough. I really appreciate everything they do for me, and I always do my best to represent them well." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
