Dunlop SEMA Booth Revives Buzz Cuts, 'Maxxed Out' Surprises
AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 26, 2005 -- Dunlop's treadheads are making a huge headway this year, and at next week's Specialty Equipment Market Association show, more than 200 buzz cuts are scheduled to debut.
Besides getting clipped, a visit to Dunlop's new and expanded booth (41427) in Las Vegas Convention Center's South Hall also means a chance to take the wheel of a drift car, a popular sport that began in Japan and is now sweeping North America.
OK, so maybe you can't actually climb into the driver's seat. But remote control drifting is the next best thing - and a good chance to understand the importance of tire traction and lateral grip.
Speaking of grip, Nate "Scissorhands" Hoops is sharpening his haircutting tools, and Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tread designs are dancing in the heads of the throngs visiting the automotive aftermarket show. With Chicagoland's Hoops cutting at a 50 head-per-day clip, expect to see more treadheads running around the Convention Center next week.
Andy Traicoff, director of Dunlop marketing in North America, said, "Dunlop's booth is all about performance - from sleek treadheads to sideways drifting cars to the annual 'Maxxed Out' Awards. There also will be plenty of surprises."
SEMA goers are invited to attend the Dunlop "Maxxed Out" Award presentation Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. at Dunlop booth 41427 in the South Hall. MotorWeek host John Davis will present trophies for the best tricked-out Dunlop cars at the show.
Davis, the Emmy Award-winning producer, host and creator of MotorWeek, television's original and most popular automotive series, will be featured in the Dunlop booth next Wednesday.
"Given John Davis' 20 years of covering the auto industry, he brings a unique perspective to the Dunlop booth," Traicoff said. "And happily, John is all about performance, which ties into the Dunlop brand perfectly." Dunlop became a sponsor of MotorWeek on PBS and Speed Channel this season.
The Dunlop booth size more than doubles this year, with emphasis on a major Direzza ultra-performance and race tire expansion and several noteworthy exotic sports and tuner cars.
"Because the SEMA Show emphasizes tuner-style automotive accessories, the venue is a perfect fit for Dunlop," Traicoff said. "With its creative booth activities at the show - including treadheads - Dunlop has been the talk of SEMA for the past two years.
"Thanks to even more creativity this year, I believe show-goers will be talking about Dunlop for the next year. We're out to create a buzz."
The following attractions scheduled to appear in the Dunlop booth are:
- A 700-hp Audi TT from HPA Motorsports Inc., of Surrey, British
Columbia, on Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ultra-performance tires. HPA owner
Marcel Horn won a Dunlop "Maxxed Out" Award last year in the "Most
Extreme Performance" category. His 550-hp 2004 Volkswagen R32 sports
car now can be "driven" on the latest installment of PlayStation 2's
Gran Turismo game.
- Jesse Rooke, a rising star in the custom cruiser industry, with his
Dunlop '05, a 120-horsepower 2006 Rooke Custom Kali Racer model that
pays homage to Dunlop's motorcycle race tires. Rooke's handiwork has
been seen on Discovery Channel's Biker Build-Off.
- Professional model and actor Tyson Beckford brings his 412-horsepower
Nissan 350Z for some serious face time. Beckford has appeared in major
ad campaigns for Ralph Lauren, plus several films, TV shows and music
videos, but his real passion is in the automotive world. His red Z
features a Vortech supercharger, courtesy of the boys at friend Jesse
James' Monster Garage.
- Big Len Monserrat, one of the top contenders in sport compact drag
racing, brings his hand-built Mitsubishi Eclipse dragster to the show.
The new paint scheme has to be seen. It incorporates signatures from
more than 1,300 leaders in sport compact drag racing.
- McKinney Motorsport introduces its new Nissan Silvia drift car, rolling
into the show on Dunlop Direzza DZ101 ultra-performance tires. Tanner
Foust, McKinney's driver, is fresh off his Formula D series late-season
podium finish.
- Pontiac Solstice, modified by famed GM tuner Gravana Inc., on 19-inch
Direzza DZ101 tires. This Solstice is the way automotive enthusiast
love to see it sold: A V8 power plant replaces the in-line 4,
suspension upgrades, knife-edged doors, custom interior appointments
and more.
- GMC Yukon XL, built by car audio expert Allan Jay and Concept One,
featuring technology from Sirius Satellite Radio. This huge rolling
sound system contains massive woofers, dwarfed only by Dunlop-sized
305/35R24 tires.
- Driving enthusiasts can register at the booth for next year's Dunlop
Drivers Cup competition. It's a cool way to get the chance to drive in
the international drivers' challenge.
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 Dunlop, go to http://www.dunloptires.com/.
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