World Tire Expo activities include tire repair contest

March 31, 2005

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced a complete schedule of activities for the Action Center at the upcoming World Tire Expo (WTE). They include the following:

* hands-on demonstrations covering fastener torque and wheel inspection. TIA's training and technical staff will demonstrate proper wheel installation, inspection and torque procedures on hub-piloted assemblies (Wednesday), stud-piloted wheels (Thursday) and demountable rims (Friday).

* the Excellence in Tire Repair Contest, sponsored by the Tread Rubber and Tire Repair Materials Manufacturer's Group (TRMG). Contestants will be judged using a combination of a brief quiz and a hands-on demonstration of a standard puncture repair in a radial truck tire. Winners will receive U.S. Savings Bonds -- $1000 for first place, $500 for second, $300 for third and $200 for fourth. (Winners will be announced on Friday, April 22.)

The WTE will be held in Louisville, Ky., April 20-22, 2005.

"Activity on the trade show floor has always been an important component of the WTE," says TIA President Dick Gust. "We are extremely proud of our Commercial Tire Service Program and are excited we can bring some of that valuable information to the attendees during the trade show."

"The members of TRMG are committed to supporting the WTE, and we hope these sponsorships will encourage commercial tire dealers and retreaders to participate," says TRMG Chairman Norm Ball. "We also want to promote proper tire repair procedures and felt the Excellence in Tire Repair Contest was an effective method for spreading the message and rewarding those technicians who can demonstrate their skill."

To register for the Excellence in Tire Repair Contest, contact Paul Connolly at (800) 876-8372, ext. 107, or [email protected].

TRMG also has agreed to sponsor the Retread Appearance Contest and will be awarding $500 cash prizes to each of the "Best of Show" winners.