RACE: National Runoffs: BFGoodrich preview

From Wisconsin to Baja - SCCA Competitors on BFGoodrich® Tires Fight for Chance to Race 2010 SCORE Baja 1000

BFGoodrich Tires' National Runoffs Champions to earn seats in Wide Open Excursion 'Baja Challenge' race car for 43rd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000

GREENVILLE, S.C. (Sept. 21, 2010) - From the twists and turns of the four-mile road course at Road America to the 1,000-plus miles of dirt and dust in Baja, up to five Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championship Runoffs champions will soon be trading in their on-road gear for off-road. Earlier this year, BFGoodrich® Tires launched an innovative contingency program, motivating SCCA racers with the opportunity to race in one of the toughest off-road events in North America - the SCORE Baja 1000. The coveted seats in a BFGoodrich tires-equipped Wide Open Excursions Baja Challenge race car will be awarded at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. on Sunday, Sept. 26 to champions running BFGoodrich tires in the AS, T2, T3, SSB and SSC classes.

Among those vying for the desert drive with their skills on the track is Lee Niffenegger in his Honda Civic Si who has been blazing up the Showroom Stock B class all season long. Chad Gilsinger in his Honda S2000 and Tommy Boileau in his Honda S2000 have been showcasing the grip and acceleration of BFGoodrich's g-force™ R1™ tires in the Touring 3 class. Rounding out the Showroom Stock C class, multiple-time SCCA champion Joel Lipperini will be hot on the track with his Acura Integra.

"Because of our legendary success both on- and off-road, BFGoodrich Tires is uniquely qualified to offer a program like this to our racers," said Roberts Kukainis, motorsports manager, BFGoodrich Tires. "One thing we know at BFGoodrich Tires is that those who race on our tires are all about fierce competition, and this contingency program has become a race in itself among our SCCA competitors."

BFGoodrich's SCCA Wide Open Excursion contingency program is an extension of BFGoodrich Tires' already comprehensive contingency program in 2010 that offers SCCA Club Racing National drivers two BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tires for first place and one BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tire for second place. The contingency program was sweetened for the Runoffs, with tire contingencies from first (12 tires) down to sixth (two tires) place finishers.

"Not only does this program set BFGoodrich Tires apart from the competition, but it also helps honor the 35th anniversary of BFGoodrich Tires competition in SCORE International's Baja races," added Kukainis. "To have the motorsports legacy of BFGoodrich Tires enables us to reward those who push the limits with an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The 2010 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 starts on Nov. 18 in Ensenada and will finish in La Paz, running the length of the Baja peninsula. In 2010, BFGoodrich Tires is commemorating 35 years of winning grip and toughness with SCORE International in Baja racing. BFGoodrich Tires has won the overall four-wheel title in Baja 70 times and the overall SCORE Baja 1000 title 23 of the past 24 years, including a stretch of 20 consecutive victories. More information about the granddaddy of off-road races is available at www.score-international.com.

Wide Open Excursions provides "arrive and drive" seats for the SCORE Baja 1000, SCORE Baja 500 and for adventure tours. BFGoodrich tires have logged more than 4.5 million miles in Baja with Wide Open Excursions and the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A®KO tire and BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A®KM2 tire are exclusive tires for the BC race cars. More information on the Wide Open Excursions is available at www.wideopenbaja.com.

Part of BFGoodrich Tires' g-Force T/A ultra-high performance family of tires, the BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tire has been proven to be one second faster than the leading competitor on a one-mile road course.* The g-Control™ sidewall inserts generate tremendous cornering force with excellent driver feedback and helps to lower drivers' lap times. The BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tire can also be used at different wheel positions and rotated in both directions to maximize tread life for the most possible laps at the race track.

Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 40 years, BFGoodrich® Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle. Visit BFGoodrich Tires at www.BFGoodrichTires.com.

BFGoodrich Tires' enthusiasm has extended on-line as well, with a gathering place for auto enthusiasts to upgrade their passion for driving through Nation of GO, where people can celebrate and share what they love to do best at www.NationofGo.com.

-source: bfg