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By: Robert Janis
DWT -- A Manufacturer
Who Re-invents the Wheel Every Day
ATV and UTV racers are always concerned about
the products they put on their machines. They
obviously want products that are made by top
notch manufacturers. However, they also want
those manufacturers to have an understanding of
racing. They want the products to offer the
little bit more that is the difference between
winning and losing.
ATV and UTV racers who buy wheels from DWT
can be assured of getting a well-manufactured
product made by people who have the racing
experience.
The company originally was formed as Douglas
Wheel in 1991. Founder Douglas Henline was a
world champion slot car racer who manufactured
karts that he raced himself.
Now called DWT, the company was reformed in
2006 to provide more of a global footprint. “Our
company makes wheels for all the side-by-side
racing machines, trophy karts, and smaller buggy
classes,” explained Scott Gordinier, sales
manager for DWT. “Most of our employees race in
some form of off-road class ATV or dirt track
venues. We are always looking for an edge over
the competition. We are involved in so many
types of racing Douglas just about reinvents the
wheel every day.”
Gordinier noted that DWT offers a wide
variety of products in the ATV category. “In ATV
this year alone our “Champion in a Box” products
have reached the podium in 18 out of 19 events,”
he said. “The UTV cast wheels and the new Diablo
cast wheel has won races in 2009.” The Diablo
beadlock will be introduced into the market at
the end of August.
Gordinier was not reluctant to push DWT’s
newest products. “The big news from here is the
new line up of DWT ATV MX and the new 12-inch
Doonz tire lines,” he said. The MX tires have
been heavily track tested and took first place
at its debut event in Blargies, France.
DWT MX tires have also finished third at the
Glen Helen Quad Cross Race, and our DOONZ sand
tire has done very well in early testing at
Glamis.
Products are constructed in-house. The
company has a lab where it performs side-load,
impact, and hydro testing. “The ultimate test
for us is on the race track. We usually send an
engineer with a rider or driver to the track,”
said Gordinier.
New products are not slammed through
production. The company starts with a concept,
does drawings, and builds samples. The samples
are then tested in the lab and on the track.
Once all elements involved with the product sign
off on it, only then does it go into production.
DWT uses four different materials and
processes to construct its wheels. This is to
assure that the wheels it sells are specifically
designed and manufactured to a particular
application. The wheel types are called
Alumilite, Litecast, MagTech and Q Plus. “Alumilite
is the name for all the spun products we make.
Most of it is 6061 aluminum heat treated,” said
Gordinier. “The Litecast uses cast aluminum or
magnesium depending on whether it is for an ATV,
a UTV, or a kart.”
Gordinier pointed out that DWT sells its
products in a variety of ways. For example, it
has offices in Milan, Italy; Indianapolis,
Indiana; Vista, California; and China. Moreover,
it does original equipment work for such
companies as KTM. It also has a very loyal
dealer network and some large distributors.
The company uses racers to both assist in
production and promotion. It sponsors racers in
a variety of categories including ATV, UTV,
kart, and sprint car. Selection depends on what
the rider/driver can offer DWT as well as their
performance on the track.
Racers who are seeking sponsorship are
encouraged to mail their resume to:
DWT Racing
Attn: Sponsorship Request
1340 N. Melrose Drive
Vista, California 92083
DWT has sponsored racers who have competed in
the Baja series and the ultimate ATV marathon
Pont de Vaux. “The DWT brand is atop more
podiums at major ATV and karting championships
worldwide than any other wheel,” said Gordinier.
“Also, with constant new product development we
continue to set our sights on new racing
disciplines as we move into the future.”
The company has a website:
www.dwtracing.com. The site provides an
overview of everything the company makes.
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