Bridgestone Americas announced its plan to build a plant for Firestone race tyres in Akron, Ohio at an event in Indianapolis that featured racing legend Mario Andretti, and veteran IndyCar driver and team owner Ed Carpenter.
The construction of the new Bridgestone Advanced Technology Workshop is part of the 5-year partnership extension between Firestone and American-based Indy Racing League’s NTT IndyCar Series. It is projected to produce the first Firestone Firehawk race tyres due for testing in the NTT IndyCar Series by the end of 2020. More than 26,000 Firehawk race tyres are scheduled to be produced and delivered to teams throughout the upcoming 2019 schedule.
“As the NTT IndyCar Series continues gaining momentum, we are introducing new fans to the Firestone brand and strengthening our relationship with the drivers who use our durable, dependable Firestone tyres,” said Philip Dobbs, chief marketing officer, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
Firestone has been the sole tire supplier of the NTT IndyCar Series for 20 consecutive seasons and it will continue to serve as the official tyre supplier of the Indianapolis 500 through 2025.
On March 10, the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season will begin alongside with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.