FINDLAY, OHIO (October 31, 2006) – COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (NYSE: CTB) will share the spotlight at its news conference in Las Vegas today at the 2006 SEMA Show, the biggest automotive specialty products trade event in the world. Along with announcements about company, brand and product news, Cooper and new motorsports partner the Champ Car Atlantic Series will unveil the new look and feel of the Atlantic Championship, as well as details about Cooper’s support of the series.
The news conference is scheduled for Tuesday, October 31 at 3:10 p.m. PT at the Cooper Tire SEMA display area, located at booth #40341 in the lower south hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The new Atlantic series logo and details of the new relationship between the Atlantic Championship series and new presenting sponsor and exclusive tire supplier Cooper Tire will be announced. Cooper Tire management will address the company’s vision for the future as well as focus on the new partnership with North America’s premier open-wheel development series.
“The Cooper/Champ Atlantic partnership is mutually beneficial. We have conducted extensive testing with the newly-designed Swift 016.a chassis and have been able to provide a tire that allows for the best possible setup for optimal performance of both the car and tire. The Cooper Tire racing slick allows for more adjustments in the mid-range, giving teams and drivers more scope overall. We are confident that the tires will meet and exceed the teams’ expectations, resulting in high level competitive racing,” said Julian Baldwin, as Vice President, European Operations, and Managing Director, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe.
The SEMA Show, held October 31-November 3 in Las Vegas, is the leading automotive specialty products trade event in the world. Some of the brightest minds and hottest products in the automotive community will be featured at the show that’s expected to attract over 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries across the globe. The high-profile international event is an ideal place for both Cooper Tire and Atlantic officials to discuss plans for the 2007 season. Las Vegas also serves as host of the 2007 season-opening race at the Vegas Grand Prix on April 8.
The new 2007 Atlantic racing package will also be prominently displayed in Vegas during the week of the show. The Swift 016.a Atlantic chassis, featuring the 300-horsepower Mazda-Cosworth engine and equipped with the new Cooper Atlantic racing slick tires, will be featured at the Cooper Tire booth.
About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car, light truck, medium truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in motorcycle and racing tires, as well as tread rubber and related equipment for the retread industry. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has 60 manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located around the world. For more information, visit Cooper Tire’s web site at www.coopertireandrubber.com.
About the Champ Car Atlantic Championship
The Champ Car Atlantic Championship continues to be the premier open-wheel development series in North America. In its 33rd season in 2006, the championship is noted for its long history of graduating its stars into Champ Car competition and has helped produce past Champ Car champions Paul Tracy, Jimmy Vasser, Bobby Rahal, Danny Sullivan, Michael Andretti and Jacques Villeneuve. 2006 Champ Car competitors Alex Tagliani, Andrew Ranger, Katherine Legge, Tonis Kasemets and 2005 Atlantic champion Charles Zwolsman are established Atlantic graduates along with 2004 Champ Car Rookie of the Year and 2003 Atlantic champ A.J. Allmendinger. In 2006, competitors will fight for the 12-race championship and the unique $2 million Champ Car series champion’s bonus. Beginning in 2007, all Atlantic teams will compete in Swift 016.a chassis powered by a 2.3-liter Mazda-Cosworth engine while riding on Cooper Atlantic racing tires. For more information on the series and to view this season’s races on demand, please visit www.champcaratlantic.com.
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