Indy Racing Challenge At SEMA Sponsored by Bridgestone Firestone

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Media Center

                        (877) 201-2373

 

BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TO SPONSOR

INDY RACING LEAGUE'S INDY RACING CHALLENGE AT 2003 SEMA SHOW

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 15, 2003) - Bridgestone/Firestone North
American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is bringing the Indy Racing League's (IRL)
Indy Racing Challenge to this year's SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market
Association) Show.  Firestone has been the official tire of the IRL
since 1999.

            The Indy Racing Challenge is one of five themed displays -
making up the Indy Racing Fan Experience - that debuted earlier this
year and has traveled across the country.  It is a high-performance
mobile race simulator using the league's IndyCar(tm) Series video game
that allows participants to sit in an actual IndyCar Series car and
compete against each other and their favorite drivers on real IndyCar
Series tracks.  Jumbo video screens and a full-time announcer add to the
excitement.  It will be set up in Silver Lot 2, just west of the Center
Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center during the run of the show.

            "The IRL offers some of today's most exciting motorsports
events, and we are very excited to bring the Indy Racing Challenge to
the SEMA Show this year," said Phil Pacsi, executive director, North
American Consumer Tire Brand Marketing, BFNT.  "The display promises to
be a must-see stop on the schedule of all show-goers."

            "Firestone and the IRL have enjoyed a long and successful
working relationship, and we are very happy to team with the company to
bring the IRL Indy Racing Challenge to this year's SEMA Show," said Bill
Long, vice president, marketing, IRL. "The SEMA Show is a great
opportunity for the IRL and Firestone to display the speed, excitement
and color of the IndyCar Series."

Based in Indianapolis and introduced in 1996, the Indy Racing League and
its IndyCar Series is the realization of a vision to create a series
where competition is close, costs are controlled, the same quality of
equipment is available to all, and where teams and sponsors can afford
to compete. The IRL IndyCar Series is the premier open-wheel, oval track
series and draws on the rich heritage of the world's greatest race, the
Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. The series features some of this country's
most celebrated drivers and established team owners competing on some of
the finest oval tracks in the world.

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.

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

Tiffany Bryant

Public Relations Coordinator

Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.

535 Marriott Drive

Nashville, TN 37214

 

615.937.1418 - voice

615.937.1414 - fax

877.201.2373 - media center

 

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