Charlotte Region to be Home to First-Of-Its Kind Tire Testing Facility

- Research in Response to Federal Mandate Will Address Tire Safety, Wear and Energy Efficiency Issues -

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 27 -- Camber Ridge, LLC announced today that it is forming a consortium of automotive and motorsports companies to create a first-of-its-kind tire testing facility in the Charlotte Region. Veteran automotive and motorsports engineer, James Cuttino, Ph.D., director of the North Carolina Motorsports and Automotive Research Center at UNC Charlotte and president of Camber Ridge, is taking a leave of absence from the University to lead the corporately-funded effort.

"High-grade research capabilities, backed by the biggest names in auto and tire manufacturing, will allow us to tackle tire safety, wear and energy efficiency issues faster and more cost effectively than if a company or university pursued it alone," said Cuttino. "This proposed testing facility will go well beyond what exists anywhere and directly address needs of automakers around the world."

Camber Ridge has invited representatives from all the major auto and tire manufacturing companies to participate in this groundbreaking initiative. The effort was created in response to a federal mandate that says all cars produced beginning in 2011 must have Electronic Stability Control (ESC) devices, which automatically apply brakes to one side of the car to prevent loss of control or rollover. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, ESC could prevent 221,000 - 323,000 crashes and save 5,300 to 9,600 lives annually.

"This may be the single biggest thing since the federal requirement for seat belts," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, motorsports legend, recent Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee and chair of the Charlotte Regional Partnership. "Having this facility right here in Charlotte USA, the capital of stock car racing, will be a source of pride considering its future impact on racing and consumer safety in general."

The exact location of the facility, which will also conduct research in collaboration with local universities, has yet to be decided as the Consortium continues talks with area economic developers. However, the timeline calls for it to be up and running by early 2012.

"This facility is a world class coup for the Charlotte Region," said Ronnie Bryant, president of the Charlotte Regional Partnership. "It will undoubtedly extend our lead in the automotive and motorsports engineering industries."