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NOKIAN TYRES JOINS WSORR TIRE WARS
LA VERGNE, Tenn. -- More companies and sponsors continue to put the "world" into the Lucas Oil World Series of Off-Road Racing as Scandanavian tire maker Nokian Tyres announced it will support racers on the WSORR circuit this coming season. Off-road racing veterans Ryan Mulder, Steve Oman and Randy Oman have all signed with Nokian Tyres for the 2007 WSORR season. Nokian Tyres, based in Helsinki, Finland, also operates a manufacturing plant in the Nordic country and another plant in Russia. Nokian Tyres produces a full range of light truck, passenger and heavy equipment tires. The Michigan State Police are using the Nokian WR-All Weather Plus on a fleet of Chevrolet Tahoes, which provide ultimate traction is the harsh Michigan winters. The all new Nokian Vatiiva Mud Terrain will be used for the first time in off road racing on the Mulder and Oman WSORR entries. John Fitzgerald, regional sales manager, Nokian Tyres, said the company is "very excited to be involved with WSORR and we hope to build a great off road race team starting with Ryan Mulder, Steve and Randy Oman." Ryan Mulder will be racing in the World Series' Super Buggy division and will run the new Nokian mud tire competitively for the first time . Mulder finished 3rd overall in the 2006 season, with 2 wins and 5 top five finishes. He won the FCP Chairman's Bonus Money Super Buggy Race on off-road racing's most hallowed ground -- Crandon International Off-Road Raceway -- last June. "Our team is very pleased to be teamed up with Nokian Tyres for the 2007 WSORR season," said Mulder. "We are particularly proud to be the first off-road race team in the U.S. to have Nokian Tyre support and thecompany has been very enthusiastic about our team, WSORR and our sport." Mulder operates R&R Tire Sales, based in Channing, MI. "I have been selling the Nokian Tyres for nearly six months and we have had excellent feedback from our dealers," noted Mulder. "Now we have a winning combination with Nokian Tires to help put us on top of the podium at Crandon and all the other hot tracks on the World Series schedule". Running in WSORR's 1600 Lite Buggy class will be Steve and Randy Oman. Steve had 1 win and 3 top fives, finishing 3rd over all in the 2006 season. "We have a better selection than ever with Nokian since they make so many different tires that will work great for our class," said Randy Oman. "This will be a huge help in our very competitive division", he said. The Oman's reside in Felch, MI, also home to PRO Light Pickup champion driver Chad Hord, winner of the 2006 class championship. "WSORR is the perfect fit for Nokian Tyres and they race in the heart of Nokian's primary market in North America," said Oman. "If you want a tough tire for Midwest off-road racing or in the snow -- summer or winter -- you need to look at Nokian," he said. At least eight different tire companies will be competing on-track at WSORR events fighting for precious podium spots at 14 rounds of Lucas Oil World Series of Off-Road Racing events this year. The WSORR "Tour 2007" kicks off near a major market in Minnesota when the Steele County Fairgrounds hosts the opener at Owatonna, MN. Owatonna is approximately one hour southeast of the Twin Cities and close to Rochester and Mankato. "I am sure I speak for all WSORR racers but I know our team is highly motivated to get to Owatonna and win the first race of the season," said Mulder. Nokian Tyres plc was founded in 1988 and it was listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange in 1995. The companyıs roots go back to 1898, when Suomen Gummitehdas Oy, or the Finnish rubber factory, was established. Passenger car tire production began in 1932. Mulder said that more information about Nokian Tires is available on the web at www.Nokiantires.com or at R&R Tire Sales, 11341 10th St. - Channing, MI. 49815, (906) 542-3611. Information about the innovative World Series of Off-Road Racing is available at www.WSORR.com Joint Press Release from Nokian Tyres and Mulder Off-Road Racing |
