 |
The Bridgestone legacy of motorsports
The Bridgestone legacy of motorsports accomplishments began more than nine decades ago when Harvey Firestone decided to showcase his tires on the race track. Since then, our tire brands have appeared in thousands of competitions around the globe, recording a remarkable variety of wins and honors.
Great drivers in Formula One, the IndyCar Series, the Champ Car World Series, motocross, super-cross, karting, monster trucks and dozens of other forms of racing have relied on our tires to provide the consistency and durability needed to win. Our involvement with motorsports provides more than thrills, it contributes to the design and production of improved tires for everyday street use. This transfer of technology is a very important reason why you’ll see Bridgestone and Firestone tires in the top forms of motorsports.
FOUR DECADES OF COMPETITION 1963-2004
The year was 1963. Automobile racing was enormously popular in Europe and the Americas, but it was still a fledgling sport in Japan -- something of a novelty viewed with skepticism.
Several people with great vision saw the potential of motorsports in the country, and had gathered at the new Suzuka track in Mie Prefecture for the Nippon Grand Prix. Among those present was a contingent of Bridgestone engineers and company executives, eager to see how the first racing tires made in Japan would perform.
They were disappointed. On a beautiful May afternoon, they watched as a non-Japanese driver, in a foreign car, using tires made outside Japan, won that inaugural contest. The loss fueled a passion to win, and set in motion a program that 45 years later would excel in the top forms of racing.
The Bridgestone story begins in 1929. Shojiro Ishibashi was a respected businessman heading a successful company called Nihon Tabi K.K., producing rubber-soled shoes. He saw the potential of a Japanese-based tire manufacturing business, and imported the necessary equipment from the Standard Mold Company in Akron, Ohio. Within a year, 300 tires were being made daily. In searching for a product name, he reversed his last name, which in Japanese is "Stone Bridge," and in 1931 Bridgestone Tire Company, Ltd. was officially founded.
Ishibashi and his heirs loved everything automotive. After the 1963 Grand Prix at Suzuka, a concerted effort was made to develop superior race tires. The first ones had been basic street tires with an enhanced compound to resist the higher temperatures prevalent during competition. With much research and testing, Bridgestone developed a winning tire -- and its first major victory was in 1965 at the All Japan Race at the Funabashi Circuit in Chiba Prefecture. Two years later, a Bridgestone-equipped Porsche Carrera 6 won the Japanese Grand Prix.
In 1971, Bridgestone engineers began work on dry-weather slick tires. That season the company claimed 60 percent of the principal touring car victories in Japan. Five years later, in the first Japanese Grand Prix for Formula One cars, Bridgestone supplied tires to the Tyrell entry driven by Kazuyoshi Hoshino. His car worked very well when the track was at its worst in rainy conditions. And although he didn't win, the performance of the Bridgestone tires captured the attention of the global motorsports community.
From 1981 through 1984, Bridgestone-equipped drivers collected numerous poles and wins in European F2 competition. When F2 racing ended, Formula 3000 began, giving Bridgestone engineers a new series to conquer. In 1985, they did just that, winning 10 of 12 races to earn the season championship.
In 1988, Bridgestone Corporation purchased the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company. Two years later, Bridgestone and Firestone operations in the United States were consolidated as Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. The new operating team mixed the best of both worlds -- literally and figuratively -- with success most evident on the racetrack.
From 1991 through 1995, Bridgestone earned three of four constructor's crowns in the German Touring Car Championship. In the early 1990s, the Bridgestone Supercar Championship in the United States provided American audiences a glimpse of what Bridgestone could do out on the racetrack.
In 1997, Bridgestone Potenza tires were supplied to Formula One Teams. The following year, Bridgestone would claim the first of seven consecutive Formula One championships between 1998 and 2004. The 2004 season also saw the initial entry of Bridgestone tires into Championship Auto Racing Teams (later Champ Car World Series) competition. As the standard tire for every CART racecar at all events, the Bridgestone Potenzas performed admirably on every type of course, rain or dry, in hot or mild temperatures.
While much attention has been paid to the recent open-wheel racing success, the Bridgestone brand has also produced results in a number of other series. From the Paris-Dakar Rally to the 24 Hours of LeMans, from dirt trials to gymkhanas, machines with fenders have fared well on Bridgestone tires.
In the realm of two-wheel competition, Bridgestone has dominated U.S.-based supercross and motocross competition for the past several years. The brand also made its initial appearance in the prestigious MotoGP series in 2002, earning new respect from motorcycle riders and fans around the world. Since 1977, when special Bridgestone tires for kart racing were developed, the brand has been a perennial favorite, winning numerous national and international titles -- and giving drivers such as 2002 Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher and 2002 CART champion Cristiano da Matta a foundation for their careers.
In 2009, on tracks and courses around the world, millions of fans will see Bridgestone tires perform in a wide array of competitions. That performance continues a legacy of Bridgestone engineers working to develop great tires for great drivers. For drivers who want to get the most out of their cars, it’s Bridgestone or nothing.
SPECS, DESIGN & MANAGEMENT
The Champ Car World Series provided numerous challenges for the Bridgestone Motorsport program. Because the powerful open-wheel machines competed on a wide variety of road and street courses in rain or shine -- Bridgestone engineers had developed both slick and treaded tires in a broad range of compounds and constructions.
Working with series officials to bring fans the most exciting brand of racing possible was one of Bridgestone Motorsport’s utmost goals. To that end, a softer compound “alternate” tire concept (easily identifiable by the bright red sidewalls) was introduced to Champ Car competition during the 2004 season. This highly successful program added a new facet to Champ Car competition, providing an additional element of race strategy for fans to follow throughout the season. In 2007 at Champ Car’s request, Bridgestone Motorsport expanded the program and brought the softer compound “alternate” tire to every single event that year.
The design process for Bridgestone Potenzas used in 2007 Champ Car action began with a thorough evaluation of many factors, starting with the track where they were used. Type of surface, degree of banking, angle of corners, length of straightaways, elevation changes, bumps or irregularities in the pavement and other elements combine to present our engineers a unique challenge. Some courses were much the same as in 2006, but some were totally new, including St. Jovite (Mont Tremblant), Las Vegas, Belgium, and Holland.
The next element of consideration is the race itself. The length of the competition (hours/minutes and miles) and speeds are extremely important. Intertwined are G-forces affecting lateral traction, amount of braking, demands of steering and even sanctioning body rules for the event. The unknown variable is weather, particularly ambient temperatures over the eight-month Champ Car racing season in 2007 – from April to November.
Fluctuating temperatures affect traction since heat or cold can change the gripping ability of a race tire. These changes also affect the inflation pressure, producing different handling characteristics. Our engineers work with teams in both testing and race weekend situations to help calculate expected variations in grip and handling as temperatures change. In 2007, with some teams and drivers making their first appearances in the series, Bridgestone engineers provided the newcomers with important assistance enabling them to effectively use their standard and alternate Potenza racing radials.
With thousands of data points available for study, the design of race tires for a particular competition begins. The engineering team will focus on two primary areas: the chemical elements of the rubber compound and the actual construction process, involving a range of tire building materials and processes. The goal is to find a combination capable of providing the durability, heat resistance, proper level of traction, low rolling resistance and other qualities needed to be competitive.
Throughout the construction process, all materials are inspected to ensure rigorous standards are met. Once a tire has been fully approved, it earns the honor of bearing the Bridgestone Potenza logo in white letters on its sidewalls – be they black standards or red alternates.
The tires are then transported to the race location. In many cases, the tires are at the track within a few days following construction. This just-in-time production/delivery system ensures optimum performance, while also reducing the need for storage. The logistics of having the right tires in the right place at the right time is a major challenge.
Since every race tire wears its own distinctive bar code, engineers can track its use, including which car used it, how long it ran, what ambient and track temperatures were, operating speeds and other factors. Tires are dissected following a race, to study how each performed. The tires are then destroyed in a patented, environment-friendly process.
Teams do not purchase the Bridgestone Potenza race tires; they lease them. Consequently, series officials carefully monitor the distribution and collection of tires from all teams -- ensuring no team receives special treatment or more tires than allotted for that race weekend. The amount of tires to be used by a team in a race weekend is determined by series officials.
Performance Tire Service Co. coordinates inventory control and tire management for the Bridgestone Motorsport program, including at-track mounting and balancing for race teams. Bridgestone engineers on-site work closely with all teams, providing technical information and data. Throughout a race weekend, Bridgestone Motorsport engineers and technical support staff record tread temperatures on the inside shoulder, middle area and outside shoulder of each tire on every corner of the car, and provide this data to the teams. This information is helpful in adjusting the set-up of cars for qualifying and race sessions, and in assuring the best performance of the tires.
2007 BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RACING RADIALS SPECIFICATIONS
| STREET | Left Front | Right Front | Left Rear | Right Rear |
| Size | 10.0/25.8R15 | 10.0/25.8R15 | 14.5/28.0R15 | 14.5/28.0R15 |
| Weight | 18 LBS. | 18 LBS. | 23 LBS. | 23 LBS. |
| Pressure | 22-27 PSI | 22-27 PSI | 20-25 PSI | 20-25 PSI |
| ROAD | Left Front | Right Front | Left Rear | Right Rear |
| Size | 10.0/25.8R15 | 10.0/25.8R15 | 14.5/28.0R15 | 14.5-28.0R15 |
| Weight | 18 LBS. | 18 LBS. | 23 LBS. | 23 LBS. |
| Pressure | 24-29 PSI | 24-29 PSI | 20-25 PSI | 20-25 PSI |
2007 RACING SERIES COMPARISON
While many motorsports competitions use racecars that outwardly appear to be very similar, they are, in fact, very different. Each series has its own unique plan to provide exciting racing action for fans without sacrificing safety for participants. To make that happen, each series uses specially constructed machines that are carefully tailored to the racing environment where they will be used.
The many different elements that make up a racecar are commonly called "the package." The major elements are the chassis, engine, gearbox and tires. From race to race, to meet the needs of that weekend's competition, some elements may change significantly to ensure optimum performance.
For example, when Champ Cars raced on a tight street circuit one weekend and a winding road course the next weekend, team mechanics spent hours transforming the racecar so it would work effectively on both types of circuits. Wings change to affect downforce. Gearboxes change to give drivers different latitudes of power. Venting changes to allow effective engine cooling. Shocks and spring settings change to help the car maneuver at speed. And tires change to give the grip and durability needed.
In planning for every event, Bridgestone Motorsport engineers will consider what the optimal package set-up will be as a key component in selecting the best compounds and constructions to be used in creating the Bridgestone Potenza racing tires for that competition. Using a wealth of data, the engineers and chemists responsible for designing the tires for that competition will spend long hours calculating which combination of compound and construction will work best.
Obviously there is much communication between race teams and the Bridgestone Motorsport program. This continuous exchange of information allows teams to have tires matched perfectly with their needs and expectations for any given race weekend.
For the road and street courses encountered in Champ Car action, Bridgestone engineers developed effective tires to be used in case of rainy conditions. Using softer compounds than found in the readles (or “slick”) tires, and amazing water channeling tread patterns, the Bridgestone Potenza racing tires for wet conditions allowed teams to run rain or shine.
|
Formula One |
Champ Car World Series |
Season: |
Began: March 18 |
Began: April 8 |
Tires: |
13" rims |
15" rims |
Engines: |
Normal Aspiration |
Turbocharged |
Fuel: |
Unleaded Gasoline |
Methanol |
Transmission: |
6- to 7-speed |
7-speed sequential |
Chassis: |
Min. Weight: (180” approx.) |
Min. Weight: Max. Height: 38” (incl. roll hoop but not in-car camera) |
Tracks: |
Road Course |
Road Course |
WHY WE RACE
Sure, there are great benefits for a company the likes of Bridgestone to be involved in high-profile motorsports endeavors such as the Champ Car World Series, Formula One, MotoGp, and karting. While some businesses come to racing only to have their corporate logos on cars, others actually make components for the cars and put their reputation on the finish line at every event. We're one of those companies.
The presence of Bridgestone as tire supplier to Formula One, MotoGp, and karting action generates tremendous enthusiasm among our employees. This involvement fosters increased pride, leading to greater accomplishments in both our racing programs and our ongoing efforts to design and produce better tires for the street. After all, knowing you can consistently produce tires to win the world's top forms of racing gives you renewed confidence about the tires that take Mom and Dad to work and the kids to soccer games.
There’s the ability to show off technological wizardry in front of eager audiences around the globe. There are the limitless opportunities to develop fans loyal to your brand. But one of the most important reasons Bridgestone undertakes any motorsports activity is for the sheer fun and pride involved. Developing and showcasing the winning Potenza tires that equip every racecar, kart, or motorcycle evokes a tremendous satisfaction of a job well done.
Racing gives Bridgestone teammates something to cheer for – a highly visible sign of the company’s continued progress as a technological leader in the tire industry. It fosters a wonderful camaraderie and team spirit throughout all levels of our company when our colleagues see us succeed.
It also extends the great racing heritage for which the Bridgestone brand has become synonymous since making its racing debut more than four decades ago. Bridgestone is renowned as a technological pacesetter, and much of that is directly attributable to strides made in its racing programs – be it Champ Car, Formula One, karting or motorcycle racing.
Bridgestone utilizes the racing arena as the ultimate public laboratory, testing and perfecting newer and better technologies that improve every aspect of a race tire’s performance. Through the years, many innovations developed at the racetrack have made their way into the fine line of Bridgestone passenger vehicle tires.
Knowing that Bridgestone constantly provides tires that meet the rigorous demands of racecar drivers and teams gives us a sensational message to pass on to the public. That is, if Bridgestone can make tires that confidently propel the sophisticated racecars to speeds of 200 miles per hour or more, we can also make the right tires for the cars and trucks on today’s highways.
The Bridgestone Motorsport racing programs serve as the perfect means to get that message out. For the most part, race fans are quite savvy to the performance needs of their own vehicles, and these programs provide an excellent platform for Bridgestone to demonstrate its capabilities. Plus, with the international reach of the race programs, it allows us to introduce the finer points of the Bridgestone brand to those who may not be so familiar with it.
We are extremely proud of the seven Formula One driver's championships that have been earned on Bridgestone tires, and that every car in 2009 Formula One action will compete on Bridgestone Potenza racing radials. Throughout 2009, on all types of tracks around the world, rain or shine, race fans will see us perform. And we're confident they will not be disappointed with our contribution to the sport they love.
MOTORCYCLES / KARTS
Many of today's top open-wheel racers started their careers as youngsters, driving karts or riding motorcycles through escalating levels of competitions. Affordable and fun, the two growing sports provide competitors of all ages opportunities to develop and refine racing skills.
You'll find Bridgestone tires on many of these two- and four-wheel machines, contributing to the quality of training and competition. Bridgestone is recognized as a leader in both sports, providing tires with the most desirable performance characteristics for beginners and advanced talents. In 2009, you'll find Bridgestone in a number of the top series.
The International Karting Federation, World Karting Association and Super Karts USA are just three of the series where you will see Bridgestone competing. Bridgestone-equipped kart drivers have enjoyed considerable success in these North American and other international series, winning races and titles in the Formula Super A European Championship, Formula A European Championship, World Championship Formula Super A, and World Championship Formula A.
While many of these series feature very sophisticated team programs supported by full technical staffs, Bridgestone is also involved with many smaller efforts and competitions. The reliable, consistent performance of our kart tires allows participants in all series to focus on driving, learning the intricacies of racing or exploring performance boundaries at the top levels of competition. This performance is a prime factor in Bridgestone being the industry leader in kart tire production.
In the two-wheel realm, Bridgestone has enjoyed overwhelming success in the world of motorcycle competition in recent years. The 2006 season was no exception, with Bridgestone serving as supplier and technological partner to winners in several top categories in the sport:
James “Bubba” Stewart – World Supercross GP Champion
Ricky Carmichael – AMA Motocross 250 and Supercross 250 Champion
Ryan Villopoto – AMA Motocross 125 Champion
Grant Langston – AMA Supercross 125
West Champion
Bridgestone is also a supplier in the FIM MotoGP Series, a thrilling and highly competitive series often referred to as “the Formula One of the motorcycle world.” Bridgestone entered MotoGP for the first time in 2002, and, in 2007, captured its first MotoGp World Championship with Ducati rider Casey Stoner.
Competing in such a diversity of racing activities allows our engineers to research many new motorcycle tire technologies. Always looking for ways to improve our tires for consumer use, Bridgestone engineers have found the racetrack an effective laboratory to explore new technologies. We're committed to designing and producing the quality tires motorcycle riders want and need, and our involvement with racing helps us do that.
The Bridgestone Battlax BT-016 Hypersport motorcycle tire is a perfect example of race-inspired technology. As more motorcycle manufacturers are introducing sportier, high-powered, lightweight machines, Bridgestone is responding with the Battlax BT-016. This tire is designed to maximize the performance of a wide range of sport bikes with advanced multi-compound technology applied to both front and rear tires. The Battlax BT-016 delivers precise handling with high-speed stability and line-holding grip in corners.
In kart and motorcycle action, drivers and riders know their Bridgestone tires will provide a strong foundation for what they want to do. This confidence is a key to the quality of kart and motorcylce racing that fans and competitors are now experiencing.
THE CHALLENGE OF OPEN-WHEEL RACING
[ With Al Speyer, Executive Director Bridgestone Motorsports ]
How is the responsibility of supplying tires to open-wheel racing different from other series?
Supplying tires to any major open-wheel racing series is a challenge for a tire manufacturer. There are logistics issues, customer service issues and rule issues with every racing series. In the case of open-wheel, a major challenge is that you must design and construct tires for very different types of tracks: ovals, superspeedways, road courses, and street circuits. And, in regards to road and street courses, you must also build tires for rain conditions. Consequently, you need to have dozens of compounds and constructions in your inventory to ensure the teams have the appropriate tire for that weekend's competition. By compounds, we are referring primarily to the rubber that makes up the tire tread (even slick tires have tread - about the thickness of two dimes), and how those ingredients are mixed and cured. A soft compound may provide more grip while a harder compound may provide more wear and heat resistance.
Construction refers primarily to the carcass of the tire, including the sidewalls and support belts. By using different construction techniques and materials when building the tire, engineers can control the flexibility of the tire - frequently called stiffness. Tire stiffness loosely follows the average speed of the race track. We use softer tires on the street courses and the stiffest tires on the fastest road courses. Determining and providing the appropriate compound and construction is a major challenge. You're always trying to give drivers the absolute best tire possible for that track, that weekend. You're always trying to give drivers the absolute best tire possible for that track, that weekend.
How do you determine which compound or construction to use for a race?
There is a long list of factors our engineers must take into consideration in making that decision. First, you have to look at the track itself. There are different types of asphalt and concrete surfaces, each affecting grip and wear characteristics. The length of the track, banking and types of curves must be considered. Then there's the duration of the competition and anticipated ambient and track temperatures. Our engineers will also review how the wing package and speeds for a specific event will affect downforce and lateral force on the tires. From this and other information, our engineers carefully select the most appropriate compounds and constructions. It may not be rocket science, but it's not far from it.
How do the Bridgestone Motorsport engineers monitor and evaluate the performance of different compounds and constructions?
Every Bridgestone Potenza racing radial bears a unique barcode label on one of its sidewalls. Our engineers use this barcode to track a tire from the time it leaves our manufacturing facility to the time it has been used and returned to us. We use the barcode system to track which car the tire was fitted to, which wheel position, how many laps it ran, speeds sustained, temperatures, air pressures and other data. This wealth of information is then used when we dissect and examine the tire to see how it performed. As a result, the process of evaluating compounds and constructions is continuous, with our engineers constantly looking for ways to make better race tires for upcoming events.
How many miles can a driver accumulate on a set of Bridgestone racing tires?
We design and construct the tires so they can work effectively for as long as a full tank of fuel will last on any particular course. There will be instances when a driver will come in for a splash of fuel in an effort to win a race, and not replace tires, so there has to be a built-in margin of extended performance capabilities. Wear is not always uniform from team to team or from driver to driver. How a car is set-up and how a driver handles his machine can significantly affect wear. The Bridgestone Motorsport program engineers try to spot higher tire wear during practice sessions, providing advice to teams on countermeasures to improve this. The dry tires (slicks) have treadwear indicators, providing a visual clue when it's time to remove the tire. On these tires there are small indentations that we call dimples. When the tread has worn to the point where the dimples are not showing, it's time to remove that tire from service.
What does a Bridgestone Potenza racing radial cost?
To start with, no one can buy one. We're very protective of the technology within every race tire, so we actually lease them to the teams. The lease cost is approximately $400 per tire. At the end of a race weekend, they're returned to us for evaluation and disposal. The disposal process involves using the tires as an environmentally friendly fuel in cement kilns.
Is there a lot a difference in the mounting and balancing process for a race tire compared with a passenger tire?
Much of the same type of equipment is used, and the process for mounting and balancing is very similar. Because race tires are subject to much higher operating temperatures, the air to inflate them is filtered to remove moisture. Moisture inside a race tire could become steam, creating potential problems. Most teams actually replace this filtered air with nitrogen. The balancing process for a race tire requires greater precision, simply because the higher speeds on the track increase the rotation of the tires, and can magnify any imbalance. This imbalance could lead to wear and handling problems.
What materials are used in the construction process of a race tire?
The materials can vary from race to race, but our goal is to have a compound and construction combination most closely matched to a particular competition. While our engineers guard the process and what is used, the base elements include rubber, oils, silica, carbon, chemicals, steel and fibers. Much like a prize chef baking a cake, our engineers don't discuss the amount or specific types of material used, or the process used to convert these materials into a finished race tire.
BRIDGESTONE PERFORMANCE
There are thousands of sizes and types of Bridgestone tires in service around the world, each providing unique performance characteristics. The tires range in size from the largest in the world -- a radial that stands 13 feet tall, designed for dump trucks carrying 400 short tons -- to some less than one foot tall, including tires used in professional go-kart racing. Some Bridgestone tires spend their entire life in off-road applications, providing traction and durability needed in mining, earth-moving, forestry or other similar industries. Some perform in both off-road and on-highway service, including all-terrain tires found on many recreational and professional vehicles. And some roll exclusively on streets and highways, in either commercial or private use.
In the commercial market where tire service is extremely important to a company's bottom line, Bridgestone tires have gained a winning reputation. Since the American Retreaders Association (now known as the International Tire & Rubber Association) first started surveying its members in 1986 on the best commercial truck tire for retreadability, no other brand comes close to Bridgestone in taking that top honor. Satisfying the needs and expectations of the "18-wheeler market" requires constant research and evaluation of new designs, new materials and new construction techniques. For large trucks such as Peterbilt and Kenworth that demand the best in steer axle and traction axle tires, Bridgestone is found as original equipment. You'll also find the Bridgestone brand on millions of trailers now in service, hauling everything from asphalt to zoo animals.
Smaller commercial operations, including delivery service and short hauling applications, have also benefited from Bridgestone innovations. Tires that resist curb damage, cuts from highway objects and have long-lasting treads contribute to reduced downtime and increased profitability. The Bridgestone family of tires for consumer use allows drivers to find the right tire for their specific needs - whether that's maneuvering on snow and ice in the family sedan or taking an occasional jaunt off-road in a four-wheel-drive machine.
More than a decade ago, the Bridgestone Blizzak was introduced, a revolutionary snow and ice tire that provided impressive traction without studs. With studded tires now banned or restricted in many areas, the Blizzak took hold and has now grown to include sizes to fit most passenger vehicles, and in different versions to fit different driving conditions. Millions of the Blizzak tires have been produced and sold, making it one of the most popular and successful snow and ice tires lines ever offered.
The Bridgestone Dueler line for light truck and sport utility vehicle use allows drivers to pick a version that's right for them - full-time highway motoring, some off-road excursions, or serious time off the highways in the dirt and mud. Each bears its own special tread and has a construction to provide the qualities needed for the type of driving to be encountered.
For those who live to drive and demand the utmost in handling and road-gripping traction, the Bridgestone performance line includes a variety of options. Two of the more popular products in this area are the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R with UNI-T and the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position with UNI-T. The Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R provides advanced dry grip and stable handling along with high hydro evacuation. The semi-slick shoulder block, wide straight groove, racing slit, wider center rib, and cooling slit, gives you high speed and high temperature durability. The Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position with UNI-T is loaded with race-inspired technologies that offer outstanding wet and dry traction, a tread pattern that promotes rapid water evacuation, variable dimensions in the tread blocks, and a smooth shape to reduce noise.
In the touring tire segment, Bridgestone offers an extensive range of products. The Bridgestone Turanza with Serenity Technology provides performance and comfort along with reliable wet and dry handling, and with Serenity technology, a soothing quiet to a smooth ride. The Turanza family includes a number of other tires to match the desires of many drivers, providing all-season performance with quiet, comfortable rides. In these and other Bridgestone tire lines, the emphasis has always been on superior technology. Whether it's at a racetrack with cars going more than 200 miles per hour, or at a mining operation where a fully loaded truck goes less than 5 miles per hour, the Bridgestone technology provides a distinct advantage. And regardless of the application, all tires are designed to provide the level of grip, tread wear and handling capabilities that earn high marks.
Within the Bridgestone family of tire products, there is a range of performance tires to meet consumers' needs. Several of these tires feature UNI-T®, the Ultimate Network of Intelligent Tire Technology; UNI-T AQ™, (with AQ an acronym for "Advanced Quality"); and our newest technology introduced in February 2001, UNI-T AQII™.
UNI-T® is a unique combination of technologies -- several evolving from our racing programs -- giving consumers the advantages of long tread life, resistance to hydroplaning, effective dry traction and other benefits. UNI-T AQ™ provides more consistent performance as a tire wears, throughout its service life. UNI-T AQII™ takes this technology to the next level, providing enhanced grip, consistent performance and other qualities demanded by serious driving enthusiasts.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Dueler A/T Revo with UNI-T AQII™ |
Blizzak WS-50 with UNI-T® |
Turanza LS-Z with UNI-T AQII™ |
Potenza S-03 Pole Position with UNI-T AQII™ |
Potenza RE-01R with UNI-T®; |
BRIDGESTONE WINTER DRIVING SCHOOL
For some, driving is a task, an effort necessary to get from point A to point B. For others, it's a pleasure and an adventure, an opportunity to master the road. The latter group of drivers -- those who love gripping a steering wheel and anticipating what's around the next curve -- can refine their skills at two schools featuring Bridgestone tires: the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and the Bridgestone Racing Academy at Mosport Driver Development Centre just outside Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Courses range from short classes on basic
winter driving skills to the two-day performance program, geared to those
looking for adrenalin-pumping fun -- or for those whose professions demand
ice-driving skills. At this advanced school, it's not uncommon to share the
track with government agents, police officers or winter rally drivers -- all
intent on mastering the complexities
of winter driving.
The professional instructors have a variety of backgrounds in motorsports, including Pro Rally, Pro Solo, World Challenge, Formula Ford, ice racing, stock car racing, vintage road racing and other forms of competition. All courses include a foundation in classroom instruction before heading out onto the course for lots of seat time.
A variety of vehicles are used, tailored to the needs of the class and the student. Sedans, sport utilities, pick-ups and other machines are driven, some with Bridgestone all-season tires, some with Bridgestone Blizzak ice and snow tires. All are equipped with two-way radios, allowing observers outside the car to provide instant feedback on maneuvers. Sessions are also videotaped, permitting follow-up review.
Drivers leave the school with increased confidence and knowledge. As a result, some automobile insurance firms offer premium reductions or discounts to school participants.
The school is situated near dozens of shopping outlets, ski lodges, fine restaurants and other recreational opportunities. The area has long been a popular training ground for Olympic winter athletes and a mecca for skiers.
For more information about the Bridgestone Winter Driving School, visit the website www.winterdrive.com or call (800) WHY-SKID.
BRIDGESTONE RACING ACADEMY
For those with a serious interest in racing or a possible career in motorsports, there's the Bridgestone Racing Academy. A number of well-known drivers started their careers in the Academy's F2000 cars, including Alex Tagliani, Patrick Carpentier and former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve.
Since 1991, the Bridgestone Racing Academy has offered a variety of courses in three main areas: beginner and advanced
courses; an internationally recognized racing series; and a racing mechanics
training program. Courses range from one day to eight months long. The
academy's facilities allow drivers to learn the finer points of racing and to
develop their skills on technically demanding, yet forgiving circuits. The Don
Panoz-built track, home to the school since the spring of
2000, is uniquely designed with the students' safety and performance needs in
focus, offering 24 configurations for training and actual wheel-to-wheel
racing.
The academy's fleet consists of Van Diemen Formula SCCA cars, and a dedicated and talented crew of racing personnel oversees the various programs.
The centre offers beginner and advanced programs for drivers wanting to feel the thrill of driving a Formula car or actually acquire wheel-to-wheel racing training. The academy also offers a mechanic's training program, allowing aspiring race mechanics a chance to work on actual racecars. From a full frame-up rebuild to teardown for storage, this unique program prepares newcomers with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform in professional racing. Trainees will benefit from hands-on training in all the important aspects of fundamental racecar construction, race set-up, race preparation and general mechanical repair. They also receive as part of their program the academy's three-day school and trainee scholarship awards.
Academy owner Brett Goodman has a 23-year injury-free safety record while managing various schools. For more information on the academy, visit the website www.race2000.com or call (905) 983-1114.