News Release: BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE GOES CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING WITH SUBURU FACTORY TEAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE GOES CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING 

WITH SUBURU FACTORY TEAM

 

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 3, 2003) - Bridgestone/Firestone
North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) announced it will again be teaming up
with the Subaru Factory Team, an elite group of cross-country skiers who
compete primarily in North America and in Europe.  This sponsorship
marks the second consecutive year that the company and the Bridgestone
brand have supported the acclaimed cross country team. 

            "We are honored that the Subaru Factory Team will be relying
again on Bridgestone Blizzaks this winter," said Phil Pacsi, executive
director, North American consumer tire marketing, BFNT. "Blizzak's
innovative design allows for increased mobility on snow- and ice-covered
surfaces encountered by the team when driving to competition or training
sites on a daily basis."

            Bridgestone's Blizzak(r) tires are the official tire of the
Subaru Factory Team (comprised of Olympic competitors from Team USA and
the Czech Republic) and will be used exclusively on all Subaru Factory
Team vehicles, trucks and trailers. The Subaru Factory Team consists of
13 champion athletes, including three Olympians and two national
champions. The team will compete in more than thirty events across the
northern United States, Alaska and Canada this winter while working
toward their ninth title in the American Ski Marathon Series Champions
Cup.  

            "The Subaru Factory Team is excited to have the Bridgestone
brand as a partner and we look forward to continuing to educate the
driving public on the benefits that Blizzak tires can provide in winter
conditions," said Andrew Gerlach, Subaru Factory Team director. "Last
winter the Team's Subaru Outback's, fitted with Bridgestone Blizzak
tires, logged 100,000 miles through the harshest winter conditions. Time
and again, team members and other drivers were amazed by the performance
of the tires on our team vehicles."  

            BFNT has clearly established itself as a leader in the
winter tire segment with its Bridgestone Blizzak(r) winter tire line.
Recently, the "Blizzak Chill Zone," a designated area on the BFNT
consumer tire Web site, was created to educate consumers about driving
in wintry conditions and to offer winter driving tips.  The site also
contains valuable information about winter tires. Access the "Blizzak
Chill Zone" by visiting www.bridgestonetire.com and following the link
on the home page.

            Endurance Enterprises, Inc. a lifestyle-marketing firm based
in Bozeman, Mont. manages the Factory Team. Subaru is the title sponsor
of the Factory Team.  The Factory Team's mission is to show America's
snowbound populace how cross-country skiing can maximize their enjoyment
of winter, while introducing them to and educating them on our sponsors
brands, products and services.  For more information on the Subaru
Factory Team, visit www.enjoywinter.com or call 406-585-2660.

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.

 

*For a downloadable image (photo credit Bob Allen) of the Subaru Factory
Team enjoying winter in Bozeman, Mont., please visit 
http://www.bridgestoneamericas.com/news/corporate/news/2003/Teamclassic7
.jpg.

 

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