"Monster" Tajima takes the Peak on Falkens

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

"MONSTER" TAJIMA VICTORIOUS ON PIKES PEAK

 

Motorsports continues to play a vital role in building Falken's performance
image

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (July 20, 2009) - Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima combined
experience, skill, Suzuki and Falken to once again claim overall victory in
the 87th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.  Although he
did not set a new record with his win, Tajima continues to hold the current
overall record for reaching the peak.  He drove a Suzuki Sport SX4 Hillclimb
Special, and rode on Falken ZIEX S/T Z04 Pikes Peak Special tires.

 

"Monster's" accomplishments are just one part of Falken's extensive North
American motorsports efforts.  The company, based in Southern California,
recognized the importance of drifting early on and has committed to a
five-car factory effort in Formula Drift, with additional support for a
number of privateer entries.  Team Falken has two fully equipped trailers
traveling to each event, complemented by a strong marketing program.  All
Team Falken Formula D vehicles use Falken Azenis RT615 rubber, and Team
Falken drivers sit in fourth through sixth place in the overall
championship.

 

In addition, Falken is laying the foundation in 2009 for a prolonged road
racing program initially centered on the American Le Mans Series.  The
company is competing in the highly competitive GT2 class, fielding an
in-house-prepared Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.  The car is driven by veterans
Dominic Cicero and Bryan Sellers and runs on specially prepared Falken
AZENIS RT slicks.  The team competed at Long Beach in April and will run
next at Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in September.  A number of private
tests also are underway.  

 

"We believe these motorsports programs are important not only to Falken in
terms of building our performance image and gaining important R&D, but to
our dealers as well, as they help the Falken brand stand out in a very
crowded and ultimately competitive marketplace," said Andrew Hoit, Falken
Director of Marketing.  "Obviously, we use these races to entertain our
dealers and develop a stronger relationship with our customer, the end-user.
That is most important."

 

Falken is well regarded for its high performance tires, and continues to
focus on the UHP (Ultra High Performance) line, while expanding its
offerings to more conventional passenger vehicles as well as off-road and
all-season products.

 

For more information, visit Falken Tire's new website at www.falkentire.com
<http://www.falkentire.com/> .

 

Falken Media Contacts:

Nick Fousekis
James Yim

nfousekis@falkentire.com
jyim@falkentire.com