Baja T/AKR Tire Continues Its Reign of Off-Road Dominance

GREENVILLE
– Nov. 20, 2005 – BFGoodrich® Tires traveled down to Baja this year geared up to celebrate its 30th anniversary of participation in the granddaddy of off-road races, the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Today, there is an even more monumental milestone to commemorate—its 20th consecutive four-wheel victory in the legendary desert classic. In a triumphant back to back win, Troy Herbst and Larry Roeseler secured a historical Baja achievement in Ensenada this weekend, perpetuating BFGoodrich’s legacy as the tire of choice for Baja 1000 winners and off-road enthusiasts.

“Winning a legendary sporting event 20 consecutive times is no small triumph,” said Owen Schiano, brand director, BFGoodrich Tires. “This year’s incredible victory at the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 confirms BFGoodrich Tires’ commitment to, and support of off-road racing. The 20th win is a testament to the great drivers, partners and the entire BFGoodrich team.”

Troy Herbst and Larry Roeseler drove their Class 1 Trophy Truck to the overall four-wheel vehicle SCORE Baja 1000 victory on BFGoodrich Baja T/AKR tires. The team finished the race in 15:06:19 at an average speed of 46.92 miles per hour.

The following is a complete list of BFGoodrich Tires 2005 SCORE Baja 1000 winners:

· Trophy-Truck – Bob Shepard
· Class 1- Larry Roeseler/Troy Herbst
· Class 3 – Donald Moss
· Class 7 – Doug Stewart
· Class 7X- Dan Street
· Class 9 – Eric R., Fisher
· Class 10 – Lobsam Yee
· Class 12 – Stan Potter
· Class 14 – Dean Lunski
· Class 15 – Vince DeMaio
· Class 16 – Caleb Gaddis
· Class PSF – Josh Hall
· Class PSM – Rod Hall
· Class PTT – Rod Hall

“Congratulations to all of our teams and a special thank you once again to all of our volunteers who spent their vacation time to help make this race possible,” said Gary Enterline, light-truck category manager for BFGoodrich Tires. “This race could not happen with out the dedication of all of those involved and this year was a prime example of why there is no other race like the Baja 1000 on earth.”

The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 is one of the most demanding off-road races known to man, running 709 miles around the rugged Baja California peninsula – some of the worlds’ toughest terrain. During the past several years, teams equipped with BFGoodrich Baja T/A tires have been near perfect in the worlds’ most recognized off-road race.

Top BFGoodrich race teams ride on Baja T/AKR off-road tires, a purpose-built racing tire designed for use in desert and off-road racing such as the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The Baja T/AKR tire is the racing version of the larger BFGoodrich Baja T/A tire line, and is one of the most winning tires in off-road racing built to withstand treacherous terrain.

In addition to supplying its renowned Baja T/AKR tire for the race, BFGoodrich Tires was on-site, providing extensive pit and communications support to teams through its fleet of off-road motorsports support vehicles. More than 125 off-road enthusiasts/volunteers donated their time to help make the race happen this weekend.

BFGoodrich Tires sponsored Wide Open Baja’s Baja Challenge Class equipping the vehicles with the All-Terrain T/AKO tire, the same tire sold to consumers through tire dealerships around the world. Chip Foose, Bud Brutsman, Troy Trepanier and Tim Struby were the foundation to the incredible Wide Open Baja Team. These four men stepped up to the Baja challenge, finishing eight out of 16, proving that perseverance is an invaluable facet in desert racing.

This year’s legendary desert race was held Nov. 17-20 in Mexico, started and finished south of the border in Ensenada, Baja California and extended over a rugged course on both sides of the majestic peninsula.

Nearly 300 entries from over 30 U.S. States and 10 countries competed in 27 Pro and five Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs were a part of this year’s tribute to the sport of desert racing.

It’s the oldest and most well known of all desert races, and it remains as the single most appealing accomplishment to a driver. Since 1967, the mother of all desert races has been run over the mysterious Baja California peninsula every year except 1974 when the international fuel crisis forced a cancellation.

During the past 20 years, winners riding on BFGoodrich Tires have included:

1986 Mark McMillin/Ralph Paxton Chenowth Porsche
1987 Bob Gordon/Malcolm Smith Chenowth Porsche
1988 Mark McMillin Chenowth Porsche
1989 Robby Gordon Ford Pickup
1990 Bob Gordon/Robby Gordon Chenowth Chevy
1991 Larry Ragland Chevy Pickup
1992 Paul Simon/Dave Simon Ford Ranger
1993 Ivan Stewart Toyota SR5
1994 Jim Smith Ford Pickup
1995 Larry Ragland Chevy Pickup
1996 Larry Ragland Chevy Pickup
1997 Larry Ragland Chevy Pickup
1998 Ivan Stewart Toyota Tundra
1999 Larry Ragland Chevy Pickup
2000 Dan Smith/Dave Ashley Ford Pickup
2001 Doug Fortin/Charlie Townsley, Jr. Jimco Chevy
2002 Dan Smith/Dave Ashley Ford Pickup
2003 Doug Fortin/Charlie Townsley, Jr. Jimco Chevy
2004 Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler Smith Built Ford
2005 Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler Smith Built Ford

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, road, drag, desert and extreme rock-crawling. With 18 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.