Bridgestone Again on Board for 33rd Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif.--The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach is pleased to announce that Bridgestone will continue as the Official Tire Sponsor of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach for the next three years -- an agreement that will see the tire company maintain that role for 14 consecutive years.

The company, which traces its sponsorship of the legendary 33-year-old street race back to 1979, will have a major presence at the April 13-15, 2007 race, including Bridgestone signage on the pedestrian bridge between Turns 9 and 10 on the 1.97-mile course. In addition, Bridgestone will entertain dealers and clients during the race weekend and will once again participate in a special promotional program on Friday, April 13.

“The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is the marquee event on Champ Car’s North American schedule, and it is situated in a very important market for us,” said Al Speyer, Executive Director of Motorsports, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). “We have had a great relationship with the race for 11 consecutive years now, and we couldn’t be happier to confirm that we will continue as the event’s Official Tire well into the future.”

“Bridgestone Firestone has been a loyal sponsor of our event and we are delighted to continue this long-standing relationship,” said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “We’re very proud that they, like many of our other loyal sponsors, continue to realize the value of association with America’s premier street race.”

This announcement comes on the heels of Bridgestone’s multi-year extension of its relationship with the Champ Car World Series as Official Tire and exclusive tire supplier. Champ Car is the headline race event at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Ticket prices for the 33rd Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach range from $20 for Friday general admission up to $120 for a three-day ticket that includes Saturday and Sunday reserved seats in upper levels of the grandstands. Pre-paid parking packages are also available when ordering through the Grand Prix Ticket Office.

For information or to purchase tickets, call the toll-free ticket hotline at (888) 82-SPEED or visit longbeachgp.com. A handy ticket brochure -- which includes circuit map, grandstand and parking locations, ticket prices and order form -- can also be obtained by calling the ticket hotline. Handicapped seating, Bosch Champ Car Garage passes, super photo tickets and a variety of hospitality club packages are also available.

About Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC:

Nashville-based 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 associate brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America.