Doug Polen
Encyclopedia
Doug Polen is a former world champion motorcycle
road racer
. He raced successfully in AMA Superbike
, Japanese Superbikes
, Superbike World Championship
and Endurance racing
.
Polen was born in Detroit, Michigan
. He was a privateer
in AMA competition in the early 1980s, before quitting racing to concentrate on business commitments. In 1986 he returned to AMA, ultimately getting a works Yoshimura
Suzuki
ride in 1988 before going to international racing. Polen joined Eraldo Ferracci's "Fast By Ferracci" Ducati team in . After breaking his contract to go to the Superbike World Championship, he won the title in both and . In 1992 he also finished third overall in the AMA national championship. For 1993 he left the world championship to compete exclusively in the United States and won the AMA national crown. In he joined the UK-based Castrol Honda
team to race the then-new RC45 in the Superbike World Championship, insisting that the team use Dunlop
tyres. He left the team abruptly in early but not before teaming up with Aaron Slight
to win the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours
endurance race for Honda. After returning to the AMA series, he set his sights on the Endurance World Championship
and eventually won that championship in 1997.
His total of 18 AMA pole positions was a record until Mat Mladin
matched it in 2006. His 13 fastest laps in World Superbike competition in is a single-season championship record.
Polen was inducted to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 2011.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
road racer
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
. He raced successfully in AMA Superbike
AMA Superbike
AMA Pro Superbike is the premiere superbike racing series in the United States. It is part of the AMA Pro Racing series which was sold to and is managed by the Daytona Motorsports Group...
, Japanese Superbikes
All Japan Road Race Championship
The is the premiere motorcycle road racing championship in Japan. It is run by the Motorcycle Federation of Japan - the Japaneses affiliate of the FIM.-History:The MFJ was formed in 1961 and held its first motorcycle road race in 1967....
, Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
and Endurance racing
Endurance World Championship
Endurance World Championship is the premier worldwide endurance motorcycle racing championship. The championship season consists of a series of races held on permanent racing facilities. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships, one for teams and one for...
.
Polen was born in Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. He was a privateer
Privateer (motorsport)
In motor sport, a privateer is usually an entrant into a racing event that is not directly supported by an automobile manufacturer. Privateers teams are often found competing in rally and circuit racing events, and often include competitors who build and maintain their own vehicles...
in AMA competition in the early 1980s, before quitting racing to concentrate on business commitments. In 1986 he returned to AMA, ultimately getting a works Yoshimura
Pops Yoshimura
Hideo "Pops" Yoshimura was a motorcycle tuner, race team owner and manufacturer of speciality motorcycle accessories. He is remembered for his ties to the beginnings of AMA Superbike racing and the Suzuki factory racing team...
Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
ride in 1988 before going to international racing. Polen joined Eraldo Ferracci's "Fast By Ferracci" Ducati team in . After breaking his contract to go to the Superbike World Championship, he won the title in both and . In 1992 he also finished third overall in the AMA national championship. For 1993 he left the world championship to compete exclusively in the United States and won the AMA national crown. In he joined the UK-based Castrol Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
team to race the then-new RC45 in the Superbike World Championship, insisting that the team use Dunlop
Dunlop Tyres
Dunlop Tyres is a British company owned 75% by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and 25% by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which bought the right to sell Dunlop-branded road tyres....
tyres. He left the team abruptly in early but not before teaming up with Aaron Slight
Aaron Slight
Aaron Tony Slight is a former professional motorcycle road racer who has recently dabbled in car racing and now fronts the AA Torque Show....
to win the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours
Suzuka 8 Hours
The is a motorcycle endurance race held at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan each year. As the name implies, the race runs for eight hours consecutively and teams are composed of two riders and one alternate.-History:...
endurance race for Honda. After returning to the AMA series, he set his sights on the Endurance World Championship
Endurance World Championship
Endurance World Championship is the premier worldwide endurance motorcycle racing championship. The championship season consists of a series of races held on permanent racing facilities. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships, one for teams and one for...
and eventually won that championship in 1997.
His total of 18 AMA pole positions was a record until Mat Mladin
Mat Mladin
Mathew "Mat" Mladin is a retired Australian professional motorcycle racer who last raced for Yoshimura Suzuki in the AMA Superbike series...
matched it in 2006. His 13 fastest laps in World Superbike competition in is a single-season championship record.
Polen was inducted to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
in 2011.
Superbike World Championship
| Year | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Pos | Pts | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | ||||
| 1991 1991 Superbike World Championship season The 1991 Superbike World Championship season was the 4th F.I.M. Superbike World Championship season. The season started on April 1 at Donington Park, and finished on October 19 at Phillip Island after 13 rounds.... |
Ducati | GBR 1 |
GBR Ret |
SPA 1 |
SPA 1 |
CAN |
CAN |
USA 1 |
USA 1 |
AUT 2 |
AUT 1 |
SMR 1 |
SMR 1 |
SWE 1 |
SWE 1 |
JPN 1 |
JPN 1 |
MAL 4 |
MAL 5 |
GER 1 |
GER 2 |
FRA 1 |
FRA 1 |
ITA 1 |
ITA 2 |
AUS 2 |
AUS 1 |
1st | 432 |