Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels will not participate as a major sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) in 2009.
Ken Warner, vice president sales and marketing for Mickey Thompson says, “The tough decision to suspend our relationship with NHRA after
more than 26 years is due to several concerns including a recent mandate by the
NHRA that Pro Stock racers will be required to compete exclusively on Goodyear
tires.
“The decision to compete solely on one
manufacturer's tires may ultimately diminish the level of competition in the Pro
Stock series. The spirit of open competition drives this sport and by limiting
the racers' choice of tires, that spirit is severely diminished. We hope the
sanctioning body revisits this ruling and opens up the competition to
manufacturers like Mickey Thompson who are willing to put years of technology
and experience into making tires that help win races."
Carl Robinson,
motorsports manager, adds, “Eliminating the NHRA from our
schedule will allow us to focus our attention and resources on faster growing
segments of the drag racing community. The NHRA’s current vision as demonstrated
by several of their recent decisions is just not in alignment with ours at this
time. If things change we will revisit the opportunity.
“We are not going to abandon all of our loyal customers and Team M/T
Members as a result of this decision, but we must do what is best for the Mickey
Thompson brand. In the current economic climate we must partner with sanctioning
bodies that embrace our participation and respect our investment in the sport.
Mickey Thompson will continue its ‘Big Tire Development Program’ as it has
already yielded a tremendous amount of technology that we have already applied
to our current product offering.”
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires
& Wheels are used in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class and in all
Sportsman classes, including Stock Eliminator, Super Stock, Competition
Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas & Super Street classes. Mickey Thompson
Motorsports will continue to support these NHRA racers through their “Team M/T”
program.
