Bridgestone replaces Firestone tyres

The Japanese company owns American brand Firestone, which became the sole tyre manufacturer in the series this year after Goodyear pulled out of Champ Car racing. Now Bridgestone has decided to replace Firestone with its own parent company name in an attempt to raise its profile in the United States.

Bridgestone has been a tyre supplier in Formula 1 since 1997, but this is the first time that the brand has been used in an American-based single-seater series.

"We're very excited about featuring the Bridgestone brand in a major open-wheel racing series that has its roots in the US," said Bridgestone's Shu Ishibashi. "From '98 through to 2001, the F1 world drivers' championship has gone to Bridgestone-equipped drivers, providing excellent exposure for the Bridgestone brand in European markets and other countries. Since CART has evolved into an international programme and the Bridgestone brand is involved with international racing, we believe CART and Bridgestone make a perfect match."

CART boss Joe Heitzler welcomed the decision for Bridgestone to use its own name. "When Bridgestone/Firestone informed us they wanted to use Bridgestone tyres in future CART events, complementing the use of Bridgestone Potenzas in F1, we recognised that as an astute marketing decision," he said.

The Potenza name used on Bridgstone's F1 rubber will also be used in CART.