Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels will not participate as a major sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) in 2009. Ken Warner, VP Sales and Marketing for Mickey Thompson stated, “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.”
Warner also stated, “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 for Mickey Thompson stated, “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.”
Robinson continued, “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 popular 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. NHRA Racers can contact Carl Robinson at 800-222-9092 X3152 for more information.
