Canada's HPA Motorsports, Dunlop Tires Race on Gran Turismo

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 8, 2007 -- Dunlop's hot new maximum performance tire for supercars is getting the ultimate test in virtual reality - on HPA Motorsports' exceptional 565-horsepower 2007 Audi TT.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., publisher of PlayStation 3's Gran Turismo racing series, has named custom-car builder Marcel Horn and his Audi TT "Best in Show" and "Best European Import" at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

For the honor, Horn's coveted Audi TT will be immortalized on a future Gran Turismo iteration, allowing millions worldwide to race his vehicle on German-developed Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT maximum performance tires.

"The experience of driving this TT is like being in a video game," he said. "The power delivery is so smooth and effortless that before you realize it, you are exceeding 160 miles per hour," he said.

This is the second trip for Dunlop and Horn, owner of HPA Motorsports Inc., of Surrey, British Columbia, on Gran Turismo. In 2004, Sony picked Horn's one-of-a-kind 550-hp twin-turbo HPA Volkswagen R32 sports car on Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ultra-performance tires for the racing series.

Gary Medalis, general manager for the Dunlop brand, said the SP Sport Maxx GT tires "are a good fit on Marcel's high-powered Audi TT. Everything about this car shows Marcel's attention to detail and focus on performance - down to the tires that convert power to the pavement."

"I know future Gran Turismo game players will enjoy the power and handling of this amazing car. The HPA Audi TT and Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires are a terrific combination," Medalis added.

The performance-minded Horn said, "We were incredibly pleased with the testing results achieved with the new Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tire and are certain it will fill a void in the market. We are proud to sport the Dunlop brand on all of our project cars across the global stage."

The Canadian automotive fabricator also has won Dunlop's prestigious Maxxed Out Awards at the SEMA Show. This year, he took home Dunlop honors for domestic performance cars with a 2008 Ford Focus FPD edition on SP Sport Maxx tires.

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 performance tires, go to http://www.dunloptires.com/