Jan. 18, 2007
BFGoodrich® Tires Names Marty Fiolka 2006 Motorsports Person of the Year
LAS VEGAS

BFGoodrich® Tires, building on a tradition it started in 2003, has named Marty Fiolka as the BFGoodrich Tires Motorsports Person of the Year. The award annually recognizes the contributions of teams, drivers and officials in each of the racing series that BFGoodrich Tires competes. Fiolka was honored for his extraordinary contributions to off-road motorsports, especially his efforts away from the dirt. He was presented the award during the 2007 Off-Road Impact Trade Show & Conference.

To win the award, the person must have made a significant contribution to racing both on and off the track, demonstrated a commitment to excellence with an uncompromising passion for motorsports, shown a sincere dedication to improve off-road motorsports for all competitors and leave a positive and lasting mark.

“This award is about giving back to racing,” said Todd Steen, motorsports marketing manager for BFGoodrich Tires. “BFGoodrich Tires has had the opportunity to work with some of the best and most recognized names in racing throughout the years and it is important that we take time to recognize the achievement and sportsmanship of those who make racing what it is today.”

Fiolka’s dedication to the sport of off-road racing is apparent to everybody who knows him. Fiolka has been a part of the legendary Baja 1000 for many years, and this year he was involved for a whole new reason. For the 2006 running of the Baja 1000, Fiolka created, organized and directed the DIRTsports Magazine’s Baja 1000 Charity Run, which was a newly united charity effort, was comprised of three independent race teams campaigning for three different charities. One team offered hope to children of a national epidemic, one team offered Mexican firefighters new rescue tools, and another team expanded the horizons of inner city youth. The result: nearly $50,000 was raised for Cure Autism Now (CAN), three “Jaws of Life” units were delivered to Baja rescue workers and a group of young inner city kids were brought out to Mexico to enjoy the race. With Fiolka at the lead, a dedicated group of dedicated people took on the challenging 1000-mile race with one overriding goal – to use the Baja 1000 for a greater good than just racing.

“Marty is one-of-a-kind; a dedicated and passionate person who lives for the sport of off-road racing,” said Steen. “He’s been instrumental to the development and expansion of the sport and his efforts this year with the Baja Charity Run just goes to demonstrate his character.”

A lifelong enthusiast of off-road motorsports, Fiolka raced his first Baja 1000 in 1992 and recently completed his 10th race. A graduate of University of California at Long Beach, he formed the Rennsport Marketing Group in 1995 and executed public relations programs for Nissan, Infiniti, Exxon, Mitsubishi, and SCORE International. In 2005, Fiolka authored “1000 Miles to Glory: The History of the Baja 1000,” and was the associate producer of Dust to Glory, a Baja documentary. Currently, Fiolka serves as the editorial director of the off-road group at Advanstar Communications, which publishes DIRTsports magazine.

Each year, five finalists are selected by BFGoodrich with one winner selected from the distinguished group. The inaugural winner of the award in 2003 was Sal Fish, President/CEO of SCORE International, the world’s premier off-road racing series and home to events like the SCORE Baja 1000.  The 2004 winner, Rod Hall, is widely considered the most successful driver in off-road history. In 2005, BFGoodrich Tires honored the contributions of Frank DeAngelo and recognized him as the cornerstone of the BFGoodrich motorsports program.

Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich® Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally (Dakar and WRC) and extreme rock-crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle.