Dunlop 'Treadheads' Vow to 'Get Clipped' in Houston

HOUSTON, April 7 -- Stolen hair clippers kept their numbers down last week in San Mateo, Calif., but prospective Dunlop "treadheads" are expected to show in record numbers at Reliant Park on Saturday.

Dunlop officials said the clippers turned up missing at about 9 p.m. - three hours before the doors closed at Hot Import Nights. Only 14 lucky men sported Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tread patterns by that time.

"Imagine showing up at the barber shop and the hair clippers are nowhere to be found. That's how countless 'treadhead' wannabes felt when they came to the Dunlop booth looking for a buzz cut," said one official.

The unique haircuts are becoming a popular feature at Hot Import Nights, the "largest, loudest and most outrageous" car show. Doors open from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Despite the low numbers in San Mateo, the number of emerging "treadheads" has surpassed all of last year when 33 were shorn at the popular SEMA aftermarket parts show in Las Vegas.

Andy Traicoff, director of the Dunlop brand in North America, said this year's "treadhead" road show "greatly expands Dunlop's buzz factor. It makes it cool to wear the latest wild tread designs on your head."

Suddenly, a Direzza DZ101 is a "must have - a chance to wear the latest tuner tread pattern for all to see. It's a real head-turner. In every case, once the Direzza 'treadheads' emerge, they take on a new attitude - a new coolness," he said.

Dunlop is a signature brand for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company .

Beyond Houston, expect more Dunlop "treadheads" at Hot Import Nights in Orlando, Fla., April 16; Charlotte, N.C., April 23; Boston, April 30; Atlanta, May 28; Chicago, June 11; Washington, D.C., June 25; Kansas City, July 16; San Diego, July 23; Seattle, July 30; Dallas, Aug. 6; Philadelphia, Aug. 27; Cleveland, Sept. 10; San Francisco, Oct. 8; Phoenix, Oct. 15; Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 3; Miami, Dec. 10; and Honolulu, Dec. 17.

Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts. Well known for its prestigious original- equipment fitments and sports car racing heritage, Dunlop is also a key supplier to sport compact enthusiasts featuring "tuner" tire sizes and race series sponsorships. For more on grassroots marketing, go to http://www.dunloptires.com/treadheads .

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