Bridgestone/Firestone Marks 11th Anniversary Sponsoring 'BIGFOOT' MONSTER TRUCK NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 11, 2002) - This year, the Bigfoot Monster Truck marks its 11th year of riding on Firestone tires - and crossing the finish line first. Since 1992, Bigfoot has achieved ten years of consecutive championships in the Monster Truck Racing Series, victories that Bigfoot owner Bob Chandler says coincide with his use of Firestone tires. "We started running Firestone tires in the fall of 1991, and there's no question that they help Bigfoot perform better," Chandler said. "They have a square footprint, which provides better control in competitive situations." Chandler said the sponsorship program began with a small number of Firestone's large, standard-issue 23° flotation tires, and it's progressed from there. Today, Bigfoot runs on 66-inch 23° tires created specifically for monster truck racing. The specially designed tires feature six tread plies for greater stability on the track, he added. "We are very pleased to be celebrating ten winning seasons with the Bigfoot team," said Phil Pacsi, executive director, North American Consumer Tire Brand Marketing, Bridgestone/Firestone. "Bob Chandler invented monster trucks, and Bigfoot is the best-known pickup truck in the world. The Bigfoot team is working hard to carry on the rich racing tradition that Firestone has long exemplified." "There is a lot of prestige in being associated with Firestone and the company's long racing heritage, and we're thrilled that a company of this stature has chosen to sponsor our team," Chandler said. Aside from the team's seven active touring vehicles, the team also fields a dedicated display truck that visits the company's retail stores throughout the year to promote the Bigfoot/Firestone relationship. "Our goal in sponsoring this truck is that people will see our tires on Bigfoot, remember that association, and think of the Firestone brand when they're purchasing a new set of light truck tires," Pacsi said. Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agriculture and other tires to its customers in the Americas.