News Release: NEW BIGFOOT DESTINATIONT MONSTER TRUCK TO PROMOTE NEW FIRESTONE DESTINATION TIRES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:        Media Center

                                    (877) 201-2373

 

 


NEW BIGFOOT DESTINATION(tm) MONSTER TRUCK


TO PROMOTE NEW FIRESTONE DESTINATION TIRES

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 11, 2003) - After 11 seasons of running with
Firestone tires, the Bigfoot Monster Truck is still thrilling fans and
racking up wins.  And new for 2003, Bridgestone/Firestone is teaming
with the Bigfoot organization to field the new Bigfoot Destination(tm)
Monster Truck.

Based on the Bigfoot 14 chassis with an all-new body and exciting orange
and green paint scheme, the Bigfoot Destination is hitting the road on
an extensive tour and race schedule.

"This promotional sponsorship of the Bigfoot Destination is integral to
our marketing plans for the new Firestone Destination family of light
truck and SUV tires for 2003 and beyond," said Phil Pacsi, executive
director, North American Consumer Tire Brand Marketing,
Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire.  "We have had a wonderful
working relationship with Bigfoot for the past 11 years, and we are very
excited about this new project."

"There is no question that Firestone tires have played a huge role in
helping Bigfoot win more than 10 years of championships in the Monster
Truck Racing Series," said Scott Johnston, vice president of marketing,
Bigfoot 4x4, Inc. "Firestone tires are the most competitive tires and
they help us win." 

Aside from the race and tour vehicle, the Bigfoot organization also
fields a dedicated display truck that visits Firestone's retail stores
throughout the year to promote the Bigfoot/Firestone relationship.  

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Company founder Bob Chandler created the first Monster Truck,
christening it "Bigfoot," in the mid 1970s.  Through the years, it has
remained perhaps the best-known of the Monster Trucks, Johnston said.
The truck's popularity continues to grow, and in 2002, the
Firestone-sponsored vehicles made a record 435 appearances for
Firestone, part of more than 900 total appearances across the country,
reaching an estimated 4 million fans. 

The Bigfoot Destination also will take a break from its race schedule to
make an appearance in a new film, "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," due
in theaters this summer.  This marks the seventh time a Bigfoot truck
has appeared in a major motion picture, Johnston said.  Bigfoot trucks
also appeared in "Take this Job and Shove It," "Cannonball Run 2,"
"Police Academy 2 and 6," "Roadhouse," and "Tango and Cash."

Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a
subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company,
Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company.
BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton
and associate and private brand tires.  The company is focused on
wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light
truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agriculture and other tires to its
customers in North America.

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A digital high resolution image of Bigfoot is available at: 

 <http://www.firestonetire.com/images/media/bigfoot.tif>
http://www.firestonetire.com/images/media/bigfoot.tif 

 

*****************

Tiffany Bryant

Public Relations Coordinator

Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.

535 Marriott Drive

Nashville, TN 37214

voice: 615.937.1418

fax: 615.493.0419 OR 615.937.1414

media center: 877.201.2373

web:  <http://www.bridgestonetire.com/> www.bridgestonetire.com 

e-mail:  <mailto:bryanttiffan@bfusa.com> bryanttiffan@bfusa.com