General Tire Posts Three Podium Wins in the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno Race

On the first year debut of the new General Grabber Competition Tires

RENO, Nev., Aug. 27, 2008 - General Tire solidified its position as the tire to beat in off-road desert racing, with 1-2-3 podium finishes in the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno race on Saturday. General Grabber(TM) competition tires got their first win in the Trick Truck class, when Rick Johnson of Team 71 piloted his General Tire Trick Truck to an overall race and class victory. Johnson crossed the finish line more than seven minutes ahead of the competition, and his victory was even sweeter in light of the fact that he started in 17th position.

Mike Horner of Synergy Motorsports took 2nd place in Class 8000 competition, and Kent Kroeker of KORE placed 3rd in the full-size production stock class.

"We are ecstatic not only about Rick's win, but also that our Grabber(TM) competition tires took three podium finishes. The Vegas to Reno course is grueling, not only for the drivers, but for the tires too, but they performed remarkably. The results speak for themselves," said Travis Roffler, director of marketing, General Tire.

"This race was incredible. The course was challenging, but the tires hooked up great," said Rick Johnson, driver of Team 71 Racing. "This truck was dialed in for the course, and we are proud to bring home this important win for General Tire."

General Tire 'unleashed the fury' in off-road competitive performance with its Grabber competition tires as General Tire powers into the 2008 off-road racing season.

"When we announced this tire at SEMA last fall we knew that this was going to be the tire to beat this year, and with this race, we've proven that. It is legendary when a new competition tire wins in its debut year," Roffler added.

Designed with a tough, three-ply Duragen(TM)-reinforced body construction to stand up to the rigors of off-road conditions, the Grabber also features a newly-developed competition-specific tread compound. In addition, the Grabber name and General Tire logo are prominently featured on the sidewall in red and white letters. The Grabber competition tires are designed in size 37x12.50R17 for class 1, 7S, 7 unlimited, 8 and trophy truck/trick truck.

General Tire also has a complete line of Grabber tires for the passenger and light truck market, including the new Grabber HTS, which delivers the perfect synergy of comfort, durability and performance; the Grabber UHP, which sets a whole new standard in performance and ride quality for SUVs, light trucks and crossover vehicles; and Grabber AT2, designed for aggressive all-terrain traction in all weather conditions.