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Goodyear, ARCA Expand Rock Crawling Series

26 September 2000

Goodyear, ARCA Expand Rock Crawling Series

    AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 26 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
and American Rock Crawlers Association announced today they would expand the
Goodyear-sponsored rock crawling series in 2001.
    ARCA President Ranch Pratt said the series would be renamed the Goodyear
National Rock Crawling Championship Series.  ARCA, based in Salt Lake City, is
the sanctioning body for the four-wheeling events.
    "Our vision is to expand what we have already started," Pratt said.  "We
want to increase an awareness of our sport and foster automotive technology.
Our goal is to ensure the promotion, growth and protection of the sport of
off-roading in the United States.
    "Our goal is to enlighten many on the joys of off-roading, and not just in
the extreme environment, but in a peaceful Saturday drive with your family,"
Pratt said.
    Pratt said four events will be held throughout the year, beginning in
February.
    ARCA's president said the Goodyear series is seeking additional sponsors
and improved broadcast television media coverage.  "A renewed focus on
bringing more excitement to our fans will make this sport grow faster and
become more popular than anyone imagined in the beginning," Pratt said.
    Ron Wells, marketing manager for Goodyear light truck tires, said the
company supports ARCA's expansion plans.  "Rock crawling has an excellent
future, but it needs to grow from here.  And Goodyear wants to be part of that
growth," Wells said.
    Wells said the rock crawling series has provided a perfect avenue in which
to sell the new Goodyear Wrangler MT/R off-road tire.  "The top competitors
set the trend for the entire off-road industry, so being there with our new
Wrangler MT/R tire on the top vehicles really is critical to being a 'player'
in the market," he said.
    "Goodyear has invested significantly in this market by developing a
differentiated new product that takes performance by this growing segment of
enthusiasts to unprecedented levels," Wells said.
    This year, the company set out on a strategy that links rock crawling,
grassroots word of mouth, magazine advertising and Jeep Jamborees to its
Wrangler MT/R tire, with reinforced puncture-resistant sidewalls.
    Wells said the new tire has been an instant hit.  "We're having trouble
keeping the larger sizes in stock.  The tire has proven itself in rock
crawling and on the Rubicon Trail."
    Although the company is focused on the needs of the off-road enthusiast,
Wells said, "We are finding the tire has visual appeal to the consumer who
just wants an aggressive looking tire that fills the wheelwells."
    As more people experience Goodyear's national rock-crawling series, Wells
said he expects extreme off-roading to grow as a spectator sport.
    To the uninitiated, extreme rock crawling is an unusual sport.  In the
June Cedar City, Utah, event, nearly 10,000 spectators attended the event.
The finals in Farmington, N.M., attracted more than 11,600 people.
    However, Wells and Pratt are looking for even bigger numbers in 2001.