Bridgestone to Supply MotoGP Tires to Kawasaki Racing Team for 2004 Season

Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 15, 2004 - (JCN Newswire) - Bridgestone Corporation
has announced that it will begin supplying tires to the Kawasaki Racing
Team for MotoGP racing in the 2004 season. Kawasaki is a leading name in
motorcycle racing. Its teams formerly captured the season championship
four years in a row in the 250cc class and two years in a row in the
350cc class. 

The team began participating in the full schedule of MotoGP races in the
2003 season. Its MotoGP riders in 2004 will be Shinya Nakano, who ranked
10th in the 2003 season standings, and Alex Hoffmann. 

Meanwhile, Bridgestone began supplying tires for MotoGP competition in
the 2002 season. Its tires displayed winning potential in the past two
seasons, which captured the attention of Kawasaki Racing Team. The
team's selection of Bridgestone tires for the 2004 season reflects
confidence in Bridgestone technology and high expectations of continuing
progress in developing competitive tires.



About Bridgestone Corporation

Bridgestone Corporation , headquartered in Tokyo, is the
world's largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products. Tires
account for 80 percent of Bridgestone Group sales worldwide. The company
also manufactures industrial rubber and chemical products, sporting
goods, and other diversified products. It sells its tires and other
products in more than 150 nations.For further information, please visit
the Bridgestone Corporation home page at: www.bridgestone.co.jp/
<http://www.bridgestone.co.jp/>