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MISC: Firestone supports inaugural Racer's Rally as title sponsor

19 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INDIANAPOLISOfficials for The Racing News, which is a one-stop shop for motorsports news, and Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Sales Company announced today that Firestone has committed to be the title sponsor of the inaugural Racers' Rally.

This fun night celebrating racing will be known as the Firestone Racers' Rally presented by The Racing News, and is set for Friday November, 19, 1999 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at The Racing Club, located at 236 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. The Racing Club is within walking distance of the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, being held Thursday-Saturday, November 18-20, at the Indianapolis Convention Center and RCA Dome. The Firestone Racers' Rally will include a special edition of live Autosport '99 which will begin simulcast at 7 p.m. on the Internet by Autosport Radio at http://www.autosportradio.com and http://www.firestone-usa.com.

"We are excited to have Firestone as a partner in this event," said Rodney A. Margison, editor of The Racing News. "Our desire has been to provide race fans and industry members a fun and exciting evening of festivities with the Racers' Rally. Firestone's participation will ensure that our goals will be met. The expected success of this inaugural event has just grown beyond our wildest dreams."

"We are pleased to be involved with the Racers' Rally," said Al Speyer, director of motorsports for Bridgestone/Firestone. "Firestone has a long racing history, from the inaugural Indy 500 to the 1999 IRL and CART Championships. We are proud to continue our history with the Inaugural Racers' Rally."

In addition to the broadcast, many activities will be held to fill the atmosphere with enough auto racing to carry fans through the cold winter months before the 2000 season begins. A charity auction and raffles to benefit Racing Angels, The Rich Vogler Scholarship Fund, and American Racing Ministries will be held in conjunction with this event.

Racing highlight videos from the "Racin' With D. O." collection will be presented throughout the evening on the multitude of televisions located throughout The Racing Club. Show cars and vender booths will be on display outside The Racing Club.

Several drivers from many realms of motorsports have agreed to appear and sign autographs for fans in attendance. Of special note, several racing teams, as well as the IRL Crew and The Racing News, have chosen the Firestone Racers' Rally as their platform to announce plans for 2000.

"We are looking forward to this being only the first of many similar events of this type, " Margison concluded. "I want the wonderful people at Firestone to know how much their participation is appreciated -- with their help I am confident the Firestone Racers' Rally will be a huge success in the inaugural year and throughout the years to come."

Teams, drivers, and other organizations interested in participating in the Firestone Racers' Rally can contact Kimberly Thomas at (317) 892-4586 for additional information. Limited space remains for venders wishing to be a part of the Firestone Racers' Rally and donations for the charity auctions are still are accepted.

COMPANY BACKGROUNDS AND INFORMATION

Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan, the world's largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone/Firestone develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing material, synthetic rubber and industrial fiber and textiles.

The Racing News, The Racing Community's Hometown Newspaper, began publishing in January of this year. Concentrating on coverage of Indiana motorsports and the major touring series', They can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.theracingnews.com.

Autosport Radio is a weekly motorsports radio talk show. Hosted by Don Kay and Gary Lee, the Indianapolis -based show is broadcast live on WKLU 101.9 and on the Internet at http://www.autosportradio.com. The regular weekly show is performed live from McGilvery's Pub in Speedway, IN., every Tuesday night from 7-8 p.m.

The Racing Club opened in early 1999 and is owned and operated by Indianapolis entrepreneur and restaurateur Ricky Eichholtz. Located at 236 South Meridian in Indianapolis, the eatery features a plethora of genuine motorsports memorabilia throughout.

For more information on the Firestone Racers' Rally, contact Kimberly Thomas, President of Motorsports Magic a company that specializes in creating and implementing integrated marketing programs at (317) 892-4586 or mailto:ttr1@iserve.net.

Due to Indiana State law, patrons entering The Racing Club must be at least 21 years of age.

The Firestone Racers' Rally presented by The Racing News and Autosport Radio is in no way affiliated with the Performance Racing Industry, the Indianapolis Convention Center or the RCA Dome.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.