I got the announcement this morning that Jim Allen was retiring from Dunlop as of April. Under Jim’s guidance Dunlop came to dominate on the track in the U.S. My feeling is that the company’s success in AMA racing is a big reason Dunlop is the number one motorcycle tire in this country.

Jim Allen at Road Atlanta in 2009. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Jim, a former racer himself, is one of the true good guys in the paddock. He always seems to have a smile on his face and takes the time to shoot the breeze even though he’s extremely busy at the races.

I’m sure Jim won’t be twiddling his thumbs in retirement. He’s got hobbies he loves, primarily bicycling. Jim is a helluva mountain bike rider. I found this out trying to follow him up some insanely steep hills in North Carolina a few years back.

Jim’s daughter Laurel has become an excellent journalist with Road Racer X. She really has her finger on the pulse of road racing and frequently scoops more us more experienced journos because she works hard and is well liked by the riders.

There will be a big hole in the paddock without Jim. I hope he’ll still come around to the races from time to time to hang out with friends.