Cooper Tire Partners with Formula Drift Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT: David S. Craig, (419) 429-4459, dscraig@coopertire.com
 

 

OLE_LINK1Cooper Tire Partners with Formula Drift Series

Tire Maker Expands Motorsports Presence, Appeals to New Customer Base

 

Findlay, Ohio, May 10, 2004 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY today
announced a partnership with the Formula Drift Championship Series, which
began its inaugural season at Road Atlanta, April 24-25. Cooper Tire is
supplying its ultra high performance Zeon ZPT tire to Formula Drift cars.
Additionally, Cooper Tire will have signage at each event and its Mobile
Tour is making select appearances at Formula Drift events to foster fan
interest. 

 

"Drifting is taking the motorsports world by storm," said Carl Casalbore,
Cooper Tire's vice president of marketing and retail sales. "It's like 'The
X Games' in that drifting is judged, but it's also appealing to a new
generation of motorsports fans who like skateboarding, in-line skating,
snowboarding or motocross. Cooper Tires' partnership with Formula Drift
expands our brand to an emerging market segment and a new customer base."

 

Formula Drift is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and is
holding four events during its first season of competition. Drifting relies
on driver talent and tire performance as drivers apply the brakes to
initiate a slide, or drift, and control the car as it slides from side to
side through a marked course. The drift is maintained with a precise balance
of power, braking and steering. Drivers are judged on execution and style as
they complete the course.

 

"Drifting is a tire-focused motorsport, and Cooper Tire is a great brand for
drifting because of its history in motorsports," added Ryan Sage,
spokesperson for Formula Drift. "Mainstream motorsports have not been able
to consistently tap into a younger market. Drifting is an opportunity for
Cooper Tire to be a part of something that appeals to kids, young drivers
and moms and dads."

 

After Road Atlanta, the Formula Drift series will stop at The Reliant Center
in Houston, Texas, Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., and Irwindale Raceway
in Irwindale, Calif., which hosted the first drifting event in the United
States in 2003.

 

In addition to partnering with Formula Drift, Cooper Tire sponsors Team
Lexus' drifting team, is title sponsor of the Ford Zetec 2000 Cooper Tire
Championship Series and a supporter of Bob Land Off-Road Racing Team.

 

About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company 

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, specializes in
the manufacture and marketing of products for the global automotive
industry. Products include automotive, motorcycle and truck tires, inner
tubes, tread rubber and equipment, as well as sealing, trim, NVH control
systems and fluid handling systems. Cooper has more than 20,000 employees
and 52 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries. For more information, visit
the company's Web site at www.coopertireandrubber.com.

 

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Jamie L. Heberling

Fahlgren Mortine 

250 Old Wilson Bridge Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43085

(614) 825-1762

jamie.heberling@fahlgren.com

 <http://www.fahlgren.com/> www.fahlgren.com