February 16, 2006
BFGoodrich© Tires Starts Off the New Year Right
GREENVILLE, S.C

BFGoodrich® Tires already has something to cheer about as the brand kicked off the 2006 racing season on a winning note. BFGoodrich’s persistent dominance in two of the world’s foremost racing series, SCORE International Off-Road Racing and Best in the Desert; bolster the brand’s claim of being "The World’s Toughest Off-Road Tire."

SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge Over 40, 000 fans witnessed BFGoodrich Tires gallantly kick off the 2006 racing season as drivers dominated 11 out 18 classes at the 12th Annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge on Jan. 12-15 in Laughlin, Nevada. Baldwin, driving a Chevy Silverado trophy truck mounted on Baja T/AKR tires, achieved his first SCORE win when he finished the race in 1:45:44, taking home the title in the Overall class. Baldwin was in good company on the winner’s podium, with fellow BFGoodrich drivers Gary Weyrich (Class 1), Donald Moss (Class 3), Rob MacCachren (Class ½-1600), Michelle Bruckmann (Class 5), Tyler Fox (Class 7S), Nos Sierra (Stock Mini), Greg Fouts (Stock Full), Matt Torian (Sportsman Truck), Eric Solorzano (Class 11), M. Weger (Sportsman Buggy) also securing titles in their respective classes.

"BFGoodrich is proud to be associated with the nation’s most talented drivers in off-road racing," said Todd Steen, Motorsports Marketing Manager for BFGoodrich. "We are thrilled that rising stars such as B.J. Baldwin choose our products to get them across the finish line."

BFGoodrich is the official tire of SCORE International, the sanctioning body for six major desert/off-road races in North America, including the Baja 500 and Baja 1000. During the 2005 season, BFGoodrich Tires captured all five overall wins in the series, as well as 13 out of 17 class championships. The most momentous win however, was secured last November when BFGoodrich claimed its 20th consecutive overall four-wheel victory in the season-ending legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Among titles claimed last season, BFGoodrich was also named Pit Support Team of the Year and Contingency Sponsor of the Year for 2005.

Best in the Desert (BitD) Similar to the SCORE series, Best in the Desert strives to provide top notch off-road racing events. Best in the Desert along with its competitors and sponsors now enjoy recognition and exposure with the longest point-to-point race in the United States, the TSCO Vegas to Reno event. BFGoodrich left the competition in the dust by capturing 14 out of 18 class wins at the 2006 season kick-off event, the Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker 425, which took place Feb. 2-4 in Parker, Arizona.

Obstacles such as dry weather, the glaring sun, and heavy dust all posed a threat to BFGoodrich drivers who roared across Arizona’s desert floor. Yet no obstacle proved too difficult for Class 1500 racer, John Herder, whose Jimco zoomed across the finish line with lighting fast speed, earning the Overall class title. Baja legends Rod Hall (Class 3100) and Larry Roeseler (Class 7200), Manny Esquerra (Class 7300), Steve LaRoza (Class 7300), Greg Foutz (Class 8100), Lance Magin (Class 3000), Ray Griffith (JeepSpeed), Grand Fluegge (Class 2000), Drew Belk (Class 5000), Randy Miller (Class 1000), Oscar McClure (Class 1800), and Dick Dahn (Class 4000) all defeated the difficult racing conditions at Parker securing titles in their respective classes.

BFGoodrich® Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle from ultra-high performance tuner vehicles, sports cars and SUVs to the hottest sport trucks, pickups and rock-crawling rigs in the world. For more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires has used motorsports as a proving ground.

Success on the street begins with winning on the track and BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drag, desert, rally (Dakar and WRC) and extreme rock-crawling. With 20 consecutive Baja 1000 wins, the most wins in rock-crawling history, and an unmatched record on pavement, BFGoodrich Tires has proven the only records it breaks are its own. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.