Phoenix on Tap for Next Goodyear Extreme Rock Crawling Championship

19 January 2000
Phoenix on Tap for Next Goodyear Extreme Rock Crawling Championship
    LAS VEGAS, Jan. 19  -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
announced today that it will sponsor the next Goodyear Extreme Rock Crawling
Championship Series in Phoenix on March 10 and 11.
    The Phoenix competition coincides with the much-anticipated availability
of Goodyear's Wrangler MT/R off-road tire at retailers nationwide.  The tire
won the first extreme rock-crawling championship last year in Farmington, N.M.
    More than 60 highly modified vehicles are expected to compete in the
four-wheeling event sanctioned by the American Rock Crawlers Association
(ARCA).
    Goodyear announced its title sponsorship in conjunction with the
introduction of the Wrangler MT/R, which features a reinforced tire sidewall
that resists punctures from rocks found on off-road trails.  Leaky tires are a
common problem for off-road enthusiasts.
    Two Arizona men who won the Farmington event are early favorites in
Phoenix.  Shannon Campbell, 29, of Gilbert, Ariz., drove his off-road race
truck to first place.  Dan Dunaway, of Mesa, Ariz., came in second.
    Despite its showing, the Wrangler MT/R was an underdog in the finals.
Only five of the 12 vehicles were equipped with the new tire, yet it was on
four of the top five finishers.
    Ron Wells, marketing manager for Goodyear light-truck tires, said he is
excited about the tire's showing and the level of interest in rock crawling.
Nearly 5,000 people attended the finals in Farmington.
    A Goodyear blimp is scheduled to fly over the Phoenix festivities.
    Wells said the tiremaker recognizes the growth in extreme sports, such as
rock crawling.  Goodyear market research also indicates more vehicles -- up to
20 percent -- are leaving the roadway.
    "The off-road enthusiast is important to us," Wells said.  "We are
convinced that we need to intensify our efforts in this market.  As in racing,
the participants are very loyal to the products that work.  They are committed
to their sport."
    Besides this Phoenix stop, ARCA has tentative events scheduled in Cedar
City, Utah, and Montrose, Colo.