Dunlop Drivers Cup Attracts Internet Auto Enthusiasts

AKRON, Ohio, June 28 -- Stories about people who meet on the Internet abound, but Dunlop Tire's Andy Traicoff and Janice Consolacion were pleasantly surprised last year.

The pair met 12 people in Phoenix at the first-ever U.S. Regional competition of the Dunlop Drivers Cup. A dozen men and women were selected from more than 1,500 entrants, who completed a questionnaire and essay at Dunlop's Web site, telling why they should be picked to represent the United States in the unique international competition.

"We were apprehensive that people were who they said they were," Traicoff said. "But at the opening reception, we immediately confirmed that the Internet is a great place to reach out to automotive enthusiasts."

Consolacion said the 12 came from "all walks of life, but they shared a passion for driving. Each person fit our target audience - the 'in-the-know' driver."

Traicoff and Consolacion are again searching for the "complete driver," 12 amateur drivers who "get the opportunity of a lifetime" to compete off-road, on-track, in motocross and on all-terrain vehicles. Enthusiasts have until July 15 to apply online for the U.S. Regionals at Virginia International Raceway in Danville.

Media reports warn about the risks of meeting people on the Internet, and in many cases, the dangers of chat rooms are real. But Traicoff said he was "honored to meet Julius Melendez, a former Santana trumpeter from Richmond, Calif.; Dr. Giorgio Schirripa, an eye doctor from Yonkers, N.Y.; Mike Hansen, a police officer from Mt. Vernon, Wash.; and Robert Sullivan, an engineer from West Palm Beach, Fla., among others.

"In every case, the California firefighter, the New York courier, the New Jersey government worker and Arizona sign maker were quality people who we met on the Internet. In every case, they were appreciative of the opportunity to compete ... to prove their driving skills in various events," he said.

Dunlop Drivers Cup also allows the tire brand to showcase its broad range of passenger, truck, motorcycle and all-terrain tire lines. The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ultra-performance tire will be used in many of the on-track activities.

The competition is open to legal U.S. residents who are 21 years of age or older as of July 15 and hold a valid U.S. driver's license and passport. To enter, log on to http://www.dunloptires.com/promotions/driversCup.html and answer the screening questions.

Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts. Well known for its prestigious original-equipment fitments and sports-car racing heritage, Dunlop is also a key supplier to sport compact enthusiasts featuring "tuner" tire sizes and race series sponsorships.

For more information on Dunlop Tires, go to http://www.dunloptires.com/