[donwilshe]

TIRE CHANGE: American Racer is negotiating to take Goodyear's spot in Sprint Car racing

Goodyear’s stranglehold on sprint car racing has come to an end.

On Tuesday, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and World Racing Group, which owns the World of Outlaws sprint car seies, announced that it will not continue as the official tire of the Outlaws after this season.

"Goodyear has been a tremendous supporter of sprint car racing both financially and in terms of product development, said Ben Geisler, chief marketing officer for the World of Outlaws.

"After three great seasons, though, we have both decided that it is in our best interest to pursue other opportunities for the 2013 season and beyond."

Next up, American Racer?

Sources told The Patriot-News Monday that the World Racing Group has been in negotiations with Race Tire America to become the official tire supplier for the World of Outlaws and also the All Star Circuit of Champions series.

Dave Mateer, general manager of Race Tires America, confirmed that the company has been talking to the World of Outlaws and racetracks about tire supply in 2013.

"Considering the announcement made Tuesday, there are discussions going on with promoters and the touring series," Mateer said in a phone conversation Tuesday.

"I think we have a quality tire, and we are interested in supplying the market. We have the manufacturing capability and know-how to do it."

Mateer and his company became aware of Goodyear’s struggles to meet supply when there was a shortage of front tires this summer at Attica and Fremont speedways in Ohio, as well as shortages at the Kings Royal event at Eldora (Ohio) Speedway and in central Pennsylvania.

The tire shortage "saddened" Mateer, who speaks highly of Goodyear as a company. But it has also opened the door for American Racer and Hoosier to gain a foothold on dirt tracks.

"It’s a nice chunk of business, and we want to work with promoters to utilize the tires to take some of the engine costs away," Mateer said. "That is what is killing sprint car racing.

"We can help minimize the horsepower to the track and take compression ratio out of play. The engine will last longer."

Sources close to the situation indicated that no deal has been signed, but that the World Racing Group has contacted Hoosier Tire and said they are going in a different direction.

"On Tuesday, we announced that Goodyear wouldn’t continue as the official tire supplier of the World of Outlaws Series," said Brian Carter, CEO of the World Racing Group.

"We will have an official tire supplier and are working toward that goal. We will announce the 2013 tire supplier as soon as we reach a definitive agreement."

Mateer confirmed that Race Tire America has contacted tracks in central Pennsylvania. He also stated that he would like to have something in place with the World Racing Group and local racetracks by the end of August.

Alan Kreitzer, one of three Lincoln Speedway owners, indicated that a deal with the World of Outlaws doesn’t mean sprint car tracks in this area will follow suit.

"I don’t think American Racer is a slam dunk in sprint car land," Kreitzer said. "I just think there are other options people can explore.

"I could see different tracks having different tire rules, but it wouldn’t be preferable. It’s easier for everyone if there is one tire. That way, wherever people go, they know what they are running. But I don’t think you can do that at any cost." �

[Vukie]

Don Ott trying to organize owners against expensive tire rule.
http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnews...anize_own.html

[PIT CART]

To me if they don't control the tire cost Woo and other tracks dont gain anything.
This is just my opinion.

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[Z-man]

http://www.woosprint.com/index.php?o...ries&Itemid=63 Looks like hoosiers in 2013

[racephoto1]

Old News.

[reeserx]

Originally Posted by racephoto1 Old News.

How is that old news when it was just posted today that Hoosier is the main tire now, not ART? Seems new to me

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[treecitytornado]

Yes it was just announced that the Outlaws will go with Hoosier for 2013 yesterday! I kind of figured that would be the case after Knoxville made the Nationals a Hoosier only race along with their entire Sprint Car Schedule for 2013. I expect the All Stars will follow suit unfortunately. I really wish they would just leave it OPEN TIRE.

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[racephoto1]

My Bad, I knew ART was up for it a couple months ago, and I thought that was what the article was about.

[Honest-Sam]

A well known and respected(by some) mechanic once said "The best deal, is NO deal". I've a never forgotten that. Thanks Jocko. Not sure how well that statement figures into TODAY'S atmosphere, but still noteworthy nevertheless. I have to say though, that I think that statement refers to 'deals' on the team level rather than a 'series' level. Point is, wouldn't it be nice to see a tire strategy play out like it does in other series? IDK, what do y'all think?

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OPEN IT UP. Its America its supposed to be free trade, if you lock in on one tire company then its no longer fair to all tire companies.
And then it hurts the racers trying to get a tire supporter for even a dollar. Then it brings back the factor of the best price, they want to be the competitor on price of the tires. But if its one tire company then your stuck with their price. Thats a way to keep prices down. OPEN it up if you want to keep prices down. JMO.