BFGoodrich Tires debut a new tyre at Finke

MEDIA RELEASE: offroad – After dominating the event last year, claiming the top five places, BFGoodrich Tires and their partner teams will return this weekend to again tackle one of their toughest challenges – the Finke Desert Race.

Set in the heart of Australia, the Finke Desert Race has a reputation for being one of the most challenging off-road courses in the world.

The demands it places on the tyres fitted to any vehicle are extreme – and for the 2015 event, BFGoodrich Tires has an extra tool in it’s box with the arrival of the BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR2.

The tyre has been hugely successful since it debuted in America, winning both the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000 last year.

The BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR2 is an evolutionary design of the most successful tyre in SCORE desert racing history, the BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR.

It features a new tread pattern, profile, and sidewall design for improved traction, steering response, and overall performance.

Running the new 37×12.50R17 Baja T/A KR2 for the 2015 Finke Desert Race will be BFGoodrich Tires partners, Outer Bounds Racing. Speaking about the shift to the new tyre, reigning Trophy Truck Champ, OBR’s Beau Robinson, said the team was looking forward to running the new.

“For us, we are putting everything in to winning Finke this year – it is the ultimate challenge and absolutely one we want to win,” said Beau.

“We have been running BFGoodrich Tires forever; they offer us everything we need from our tyres particularly at a place like Finke; speed, reliability and grip.

The new KR2 is a big step forward, from what was already the best tyre available – so of course it is what we have chosen for Finke.”

The team will run the KR2 on their Trophy Truck, and having previously run a smaller tyre on their buggy they will make the shift to the bigger tyre for Finke.

Rhodes Racing will also debut the new tyre on their buggy, also shifting to a bigger tyre size than what they ran previously. Reigning King of the Desert and AORC Champion, BFGoodrich Tires partner Shannon Rentsch, has chosen to stick to the smaller 35×12.5×15 BFGoodrich Baja KR on his buggy.

“Finke is a real Challenge for everyone, and you need a tyre that is up to the challenge,” said Rentsch.

“We have won three times and come 2nd in another two events – each time we were running BFGoodrich Tires.

“We believe that this choice has played a huge part in our success. We know we can trust them, and hit things hard, it is one aspect on the car that we just don’t have to worry about.”

This year’s event will be the 40th running of Finke and organisers are expecting up to 15,000 spectators to camp along the 225km track.

Scrutineering kicks off on Friday in the centre of town, with the prologue being run on Saturday.

The first leg from Alice Springs to Finke will be run on Sunday.

BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR2 wins: 2014 Winner SCORE Baja 500- Bryce Menzies 2014 Winner SCORE Baja 1000- Rob MacCachren/Andy McMillin/Jason Voss 2014 Winner BITD Mint 400- Andy McMillin/Steve Sourapas 2014 Winner BITD Vegas-to-Reno- Jason Voss 2014 BITD Overall and Trick Truck Champion- Jason Voss For more information on BFGoodrich Tires, head to www.bfgoodrich.com.au or visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/BFGoodrichAUNZ

For more information about the Australian Off Road Championship please visit www.aorc.com.au