News Release: Bridgestone/Firestone Signs "Official Tire" Agreement with The Milwaukee Mile

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 14, 2004) - Bridgestone/Firestone North
American Tire, LLC (BFNT) and The Milwaukee Mile announced today that
they have entered into an official partnership for the first time in the
long motorsports history of both companies. 

Bridgestone/Firestone has signed a multi-year agreement for its
Bridgestone and Firestone brands to serve as the "Official Tires" of The
Milwaukee Mile.  As part of the agreement, both brands will have a
prominent presence at "America's Legendary Oval" throughout the racing
season, highlighting the 'Mile's unique status as the only venue
currently scheduled to host both the Indy Racing League and the Champ
Car World Series in the 2004 season. 

"We're thrilled to announce this new partnership," said Al Speyer,
executive director of motorsports, BFNT. "The Milwaukee Mile is one of
the world's legendary racing venues and has a history in motorsports as
long as our own company's. It's such a unique opportunity for us to be
able to showcase both our brands at one venue, and there is certainly no
more appropriate place for us to do that than at the 'Mile.' "

In 2003, the Bridgestone brand became the presenting sponsor of what is
now known as Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by
Ford. The Bridgestone brand also appears worldwide in all types of
motorsports, including motorcycle and kart racing as well as the FIA
Formula One World Series, where Bridgestone-equipped drivers have won
six consecutive drivers' championships. 

The Firestone name is synonymous with American open-wheel racing, having
first appeared on the motorsports scene at the 1909 Indianapolis 300.
Today, Firestone is the official tire of the Indy Racing League and the
Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, where last May Gil de Ferran became the 54th
driver to win the Indianapolis 500 driving on Firestone tires. 

Every car in every Champ Car event in the 2004 season will be outfitted
with Bridgestone Potenzas, including the event currently scheduled for
June 3-5 at The Milwaukee Mile. Firestone 

Firehawks will appear on every IndyCar Series and Menards Infiniti Pro
Series car this season - both of those series will be in action at
Milwaukee on July 23-25.

"We are excited and believe our proactive, promotional partnership with
Bridgestone/Firestone will be a great benefit to The Milwaukee Mile and
its loyal race fans," said Mark Perrone, vice president and general
manager, The Milwaukee Mile. "We are formulating plans for in-store
promotions with area Bridgestone and Firestone retail locations, which
we know will generate great interest and bring new race fans to see
world-class racing on one of our four race weekends at The Milwaukee
Mile."

Last season, Bridgestone served as the official tire for several Champ
Car venues, including St. Petersburg, Miami, Cleveland, Denver, Laguna
Seca and Long Beach. Firestone has agreements in place to serve as the
official tire of the Nashville Superspeedway and Nazareth Speedway for
the 2004 season.

The Milwaukee Mile is the longest running, continuously operated
motorsports facility in the world - the 2003 season marked the track's
100th Anniversary.  For details regarding specific events and
ticket/hospitality availability, visit www.milwaukeemile.com.

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
private and associate 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.