Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • ITEC
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • War in Ukraine
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
    • 2022 International Silicone Conference
    • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
September 04, 2008 02:00 AM

Falken joins ALMS racing with GT2 team

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    FONTANA, Calif. (Sept. 4, 2008) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.'s Falken brand is the latest tire brand to make an appearance in the American LeMans Series (ALMS) this year, providing tires and primary sponsorship for Black Swan Racing's GT2 class Ford GT-R.

    The sponsorship/supply deal—for the 2008 and 2009 seasons—involves Falken Tire Corp., the Fontana-based marketer of the Falken brand in North America, and Boston-based Black Swan Racing.

    Black Swan has competed four times this season, with an eighth-place class finish at Lime Rock Raceway in Connecticut the best performance.

    This marks Falken Tire's first foray into competitive road racing in North America. The firm also is involved in drifting and has competed in Japan and Europe in years past in various road-racing series there. Falken's parent Sumitomo Rubber makes the racing rubber in Japan.

    “Our participation in American LeMans is not only to further expose the motorsport masses and general public to the Falken brand, it's also the ideal proving and testing grounds for future street tire technologies,” said Falken President and COO Richard Smallwood in a prepared statement.

    “2009 will be our year to shine. With Falken thriving from a business standpoint and a solid half year of R&D under our belts in the world-class LeMans series, we're confident that Falken will deliver a serious one-two punch both on the street and the track.”

    Neither Falken nor Black Swan commented on the value of Falken's sponsorship.

    The addition of Falken brings to five the number of tire brands competing in the ALMS, although Falken tires are made by parent company Sumitomo in Japan. Michelin North America Inc. supplies most of the competitors, with six teams opting for Dunlop and one each for Yokohama and Kumho tires.

    In drifting, Falken is sponsoring as many as seven competitors in the Formula Drift and D1 Grand Prix series in North America and supplying them with its Azenis-RT series tires.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Updated: Conti fined for compound mixer explosion, shears accident
    2
    Kumho on road to zero with sustainable products, operations
    3
    Stakes high as global NR industry urgently seeks alternate supply
    4
    Birla Carbon raising prices on carbon black products
    5
    Denka requests weaker chloroprene classification, but EPA won't budge
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • ITEC
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • War in Ukraine
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
        • 2022 International Silicone Conference
        • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION