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SCCA: BFGoodrich Tires sponsors Trans-Am Series

24 October 1998

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- BFGoodrich Tires and SCCA Pro Racing today announced BFGoodrich Tires will become the SCCA Trans-Am Series' title sponsor for 1999. BFGoodrich Tires will also continue as the sole tire supplier for the series, which will be called the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series.

BFGoodrich Tires' expanded role will complement its marketing campaign for the g-Force T/A family, as well as its role as the spec tire supplier for the Trans-Am, which commenced with the 1998 season.

"Our involvement with the Trans-Am Series in 1998 provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the g-Force T/A and demonstrate its racing prowess," said Herb Johnson, director of motorsports for BFGoodrich Tires. "The Trans-Am Series is coming off a great year^the racing was very close, attendance was up and we saw a record number of competitors contest the full season. It's this type of high-end, professional racing that's consistent with BFGoodrich Tires' 30-year heritage in motorsports. I can't think of a better tie-in for the brand than the Trans-Am Series' title sponsorship."

In 1998, BFGoodrich Tires provided the spec tire for the Trans-Am Series and its corporate partner, NTB National Tire & Battery, was title sponsor for 1999 BFGoodrich Tires assumes the role of title sponsor as well as tire supplier.

"BFGoodrich Tires sells the g-Force T/A nationwide and will offer a presence at each venue, utilizing the Trans-Am Series in each race market to build brand awareness through a variety of its retail outlets^and that's what makes this expanded partnership so significant." said K.C. Van Niman, president and CEO of SCCA Pro Racing, Ltd. "We'd like to extend a special thanks to NTB National Tire & Battery for its title sponsorship in 1998."

In 1998, the depth of the Trans-Am field reached a new high as 17 drivers contested all 13 events, an all-time record number of drivers to contest the entire season, two higher than the all-time mark set in 1995 (15), and eight more than the 1997 total (nine). Additionally, the series averaged 32 starters-per-race, up 23 percent over 1997's 26-starter average, and up 33.3 percent over the 1996 average of 24 starters. Fueling the surge in average starters-per-race were huge single event starting fields, including the second-largest field in Trans-Am history of 43 cars at Watkins Glen. In total, 76 drivers competed in the 1998 NTB Trans-Am, with 61 drivers scoring points.

"The 1998 season truly was a new beginning for the Trans-Am Series," added Van Niman. "BFGoodrich Tires stepped up its financial commitment and presence in the series, which allowed us to increase our prize money by 50 percent in just one season. We are well on the way to taking the Trans-Am Series^already North America's premier road racing series^to the next level of success. It's great to know BFGoodrich Tires is committed to the present and future success of the Trans-Am Series."

The BFGoodrich brand first raced in the Trans-Am in the early 1970s as a way to prove and further develop radial tire technology. BFGoodrich Tires introduced the g-Force Radial family of tires in 1998 with the g-Force T/A racing tire, which equips the popular performance cars competing in the Trans-Am Series. Compared with the bias-ply racing tire it replaced, the g-Force T/A gives Trans-Am Series competitors an advantage in acceleration, braking, straight-line traction and consistent performance. The g-Force T/A family also includes the g-Force T/A R1, a competition-oriented, street-legal radial, and the soon-to-be-launched g-Force T/A KD, the family's flagship street-tire line.

In addition to its enhanced commitment to the Trans-Am Series, BFGoodrich Tires will continue to be the spec tire for the SCCA's World Challenge and Spec Racer Ford Pro Series. The brand also will continue its high-profile presence in numerous other motorsports venues, including grassroots road racing and auto crossing, as well as SCORE, CORR and Best in the Desert off-road racing series.

In addition to the g-Force T/A family, BFGoodrich Tires manufactures a variety of high-quality passenger, light-truck and high-performance tires.