Team Firestone Gets Support from Diverse “Firestone Family”
in Cross Country Competition
“Suki” the Subaru Helps Adam & Andrew Put Forth Best Effort
Adam and Andrew Firestone, great grandsons
of Harvey S. Firestone, are racing across America in
the 2004 Tire Rack™ Cannonball One Lap of America race,
called by some “The Iron Man of Automotive Racing.”
Not only are the brothers placing high in the event,
they continue to gain support from family, friends and
loyal fans as they trek across the country in their
Subaru WRX STi, which they fondly nicknamed “Suki.”
“Suki is treating us very well despite
the fact that she is up against other competitors who
have significantly modified their vehicles,” Adam pointed
out, “She is top of the line in her class and we are
having the best time with her.”
While their Subaru WRX STi is keeping
Team Firestone competitive on the track, the support
and enthusiasm of their fans is keeping them at the
top of their game.
Firestone fans, family and One Lap
enthusiasts have been able to track Team Firestone and
their adventures at the Firestone One Lap Web site (www.firestoneonelap.com).
The site includes Q&As with the brothers, Firestone
trivia, photos of the road trip, and continual updates
of the brothers’ progress while on the road, as well
as some interesting poll questions which have become
the topic of conversation among many circles.
The poll questions on the Web site
test fans’ knowledge of the brothers, down to the most
minute-detail, including what they are sporting underneath
their racing gear. Several photos will be posted on www.firestoneonelap.com to reveal some of the long-awaited answers. In the mean
time, enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the site to
monitor Team Firestone and cheer them on for a quick
and safe return to South Bend, Indiana.
“The fans really are incredible,”
said Andrew Firestone, “We were thrilled when
Mario Andretti called us yesterday. In fact, hearing
Mario, the racing legend, encourage us to ‘Have
fun and race hard!’ meant the world to us.”
Equally as important as the fans and
Mario Andretti offering words of encouragement to the
duo, is the support from a number of generations of
Firestone family members. Brooks Firestone, father of
Adam and Andrew, sent an email to the Web site to check
on his sons and then brought family members to the Las
Vegas venue to cheer for the duo during the competition.
“We have quite a fan club flying
over [there] to cheer our heroes,” Brooks said,
“I am delighted they are doing so well.”
Their father isn’t the only
one cheering them on. Adam’s 7-year-old son, Matthew,
contacted his dad through the Web site to wish them
good luck.
“Dad how do you stay awake at
night?” he questioned. “Mom’s going
to Las Vegas to see you race. What place are you in?
Good luck and drive safely. p.s. Tell Andrew the same.”
Maddie, Adam’s daughter, also
included some words of encouragement to her dad and
her Uncle Andrew to let them know that she’s rooting
for them.
The Firestones are driving on the original
equipment tires – (www.bridgestonetire.com)
Bridgestone Potenza RE 070s, fitted on a stock Subaru
WRX STi (www.subaru.com)
outfitted with an aftermarket advanced suspension system,
Praxis™, which is manufactured by Bridgestone/Firestone
Vehicle Systems (www.praxissystems.com).
Praxis is the first and only aftermarket,
cockpit controlled suspension system that allows the
driver to control performance – on the road or
at the track – without the need for tools or time
in the shop. Multi-Rate Air-Spring technology, coupled
with the Intelliride™ control-system and externally-adjustable
monotube dampers supplied by H&R Springs allow the
driver to rapidly select the ride-height, spring-rate
and damping.
Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas
Holding, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of the Bridgestone
Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber
company. BSAH, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures
and markets a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone,
Dayton and associate and private brand tires to address
the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers,
automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment
manufacturers and those in the agricultural, forestry
and mining industries. The companies also produce air
springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial
fibers and textiles and operate the world’s largest
chain of automotive tire and service centers. |
