"Best On Bridgestone" Contest Slated For 2003 SEMA Show
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 22, 2003) - Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), will recognize the "Best on Bridgestone" at this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. The company invites all SEMA-member project vehicle builders and companies that are preparing a vehicle for the show to enter the contest by logging onto http://beston.bridgestonetire.com <http://beston.bridgestonetire.com/> , and completing the official contest entry form. A photo of the vehicle MUST be included with each entry. Failure to include a photo will disqualify the vehicle from the competition. All entries must be received by Monday, October 27, 2003. Everyone who enters the contest will receive a Bridgestone branded gift following the show. The contest is open to automobiles, SUVs and pickup trucks, but all MUST be riding on Bridgestone-brand tires. Builders and exhibitors may enter as many vehicles as they wish. The top three finalists will receive a cash prize (1st Place: $2500, 2nd Place: $1000, 3rd Place: $500), a trophy and plaque. A limited national promotional tour also will be awarded the first place vehicle, and the winner will be included in a full-page, four-color Bridgestone tire ad in a post-show issue of SEMA News. All finalists and their vehicles will be publicized on the company's website, as well as via a post-SEMA Show news release. Vehicles will be judged on uniqueness, overall appearance, how well the project accentuates the tires (how they fit into the wheel wells, how they are set off by the wheels and paint scheme, overall stance of the vehicle, either raised or lowered),"coolest," most innovative paint scheme, best use of accessories, audio/video presentation (best use of custom fiberglass installation), underhood appearance, interior/exterior carryover (how well the whole package meshes together), and unique accessories/ideas ("never-seen-before" factor). "We are very happy to be launching what we hope to grow into an annual program to laud the best, most innovative SEMA Show project vehicles on our tire brand," said Phil Pacsi, executive director, North American consumer tire brand marketing, BFNT. A panel of judges, comprised of BFNT employees, will pre-select the top 20 entries prior to the show, based on the application and the photo or rendering. The panel will then personally view and judge those 20 semi-finalists during the SEMA Show, and announce the top three winners at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2003 in the Bridgestone booth (#41917) on the show floor. For more information, contact McCullough Public Relations, 143 Wilbur Dr., N.E., No. Canton, Oh 44720; phone (330) 244-9980; or email Mariellen@mcculloughpr.com. 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, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America.