Michigan Enthusiast Drives for Dunlop Drivers Cup

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 30, 2006 -- A customer service representative for Thomson Creative Solutions, an Ann Arbor, Mich., tax accounting software company, has been selected to participate in the Dunlop Drivers Cup driving challenge.

David Furchak, 27, of Romulus, Mich., will be competing against 11 other amateur drivers at the U.S. Regional Qualifier in Danville, Va., on Sept. 11- 15.

From running half-marathons to autocrossing in two SCCA regions to racing Ford Festivas on a motocross track to karting at indoor facilities to trail- riding quads and dirt bikes, Furchak said the Virginia International Raceway event provides a test for his wide range of driving skills.

"As an endurance athlete, I feel I have the stamina to attack every part of a four-day motorfest event. I also love to drive absolutely everything," Furchak said.

Furchak said he realizes Dunlop Drivers Cup is completely different from any other type of driving challenge. A unique competition, it includes on- track racing, autocross, off-road sport-utility, off-road all-terrain vehicle and motocross events to test the skills of hard-core driving enthusiasts.

Two two-driver teams from the three-day U.S. Regional Qualifier will represent Dunlop USA at the world Drivers Cup next year. The 10-day excursion is scheduled to travel through six European countries - with driving events in each nation - and finish on the African continent.

Janice Consolacion, brand planning manager for Dunlop in North America, said Cup organizers were impressed by Furchak's overall fitness level and "passion for driving anything that has wheels and an engine."

"David loves his job, but his fantasy is to be a racer. Through Dunlop Drivers Cup, he'll get a chance to fulfill that dream," Consolacion said.

Furchak belongs to a loose knit organization of racers and auto enthusiasts that's called "Caintmakit Racing." No doubt a few of those friends joined Furchak in buying four Ford Festivas - for $300 apiece - to race on a motocross course in a friend's backyard.

The customer service rep said he came by his love for racing naturally. His father and an uncle raced a pro rally car for many years, and he helped work on the car as a boy.

Furchak said he would use a "slow-in/fast-out, consistent" driving style in Virginia.

European Dunlop officials started Drivers Cup in 1998 to showcase Dunlop's racing heritage and its broad range of passenger, truck, motorcycle and all- terrain-vehicle tire lines. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ultra-performance tires and Mud Rover off-road tires will be featured in the competition.

Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts. Well known for its prestigious original- equipment fitments and sports car racing heritage, Dunlop is also a key supplier to sport compact enthusiasts featuring "tuner" tire sizes and race series sponsorships.

Furchak said he entered the Drivers Cup competition after seeing an item in "european car" magazine.

Applications are being accepted now for those interested in competing in the 2007 Dunlop Drivers Cup U.S. Regionals. To apply, go to http://www.dunloptires.com/.