COURT CREATES BRIGHT-LINE RULE FOR SANCTIONING BODIES
Hoosier Racing Tire (“Hoosier Tire”) won a victory in the antitrust case brought by Specialty Tires of America/ Race Tires of America, (“STA”) concerning exclusive contracts for the supply of racing tires.
On July 23, 2010, the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit confirmed that single-tire or “spec tire” rules in dirt oval track racing were legal under the antitrust laws, and that Hoosier Tire had not violated the law in contracting to supply such spec tires. The Court affirmed the dismissal of all claims against it and co-defendant Dirt Motor Sports. The case is Race Tires of America, Inc., et al. v. Hoosier Racing Tire Corp., et al.
The Court ruled that sanctioning bodies should have the discretion to determine their own rules of the game, including specifying a single-supplier’s products be used in the race, and created a bright-line rule: Sanctioning bodies can legally enter exclusive contracts where they have in good faith “freely adopted their own equipment rules and then freely entered into exclusive contracts with the respective suppliers.” It also noted that in this case, the evidence supported the sanctioning bodies’ good faith belief that single-tire rules benefit racers and motorsports in general, including by promoting parity among racers, increasing safety, and controlling overall costs of so-called “tire wars.”
The Court explained that a clear rule was needed because sanctioning bodies have ultimately won antitrust challenges to their specification rules in the past, but only after incurring considerable legal expenses. “Motorsports sanctioning bodies, as well as similar organizations in other sports, deserve a bright-line rule to follow so they can avoid potential antitrust liability as well as time consuming and expensive antitrust litigation… Contrary to the pro-competitive purposes of antitrust law, this expense may have real anti-competitive effect, especially on the smaller sanctioning bodies….”
This ruling should have applicability to sanctioning bodies in other sports as well. As the Court noted, “the importance of this case goes far beyond” the parties, and that the “result and reasoning could have an effect beyond the world of dirt oval track racing (or even motorsports in general).” Other racing sanctioning bodies, including NASCAR, IMCA and USAC, had filed a brief in support of Hoosier Tire’s position.
Dennis Sherman, Hoosier’s Vice President of Sales, was very pleased with the result. “This ruling is a win not just for Hoosier,” he said, “but is also a win for motorsports generally. Sanctioning bodies can now choose the rules they believe will be best for their sport without the concern of having to defend an antitrust suit at every turn.”
For additional information, contact Hoosier Racing Tire – Craig Benninghoff, Vice President of Operations at (574) 784-3152 cbenninghoff@hoosiertire.com
LAKEVILLE, IN (April 14, 2010) — Hoosier is proud to introduce a new construction for the RD35 and D40A compound tires in the 11.0×8.1-6 tire size. This construction change will help improve handling and balance in the kart. The new catalog number and tire specs are listed below.
The RD35 has a cold durometer of 52-54 and is designed for dry tracks that are dusty, sandy, loose and lack grip. The D40A will have a cold durometer between 55-57 and is designed for medium hard tracks that have little moisture and begin to form a groove.
LAKEVILLE, IN (April 14, 2010) — Hoosier is proud to release a new D60A compound in the new construction 11.0×8.1-6 tire size.
The D60A has a cold durometer of 64-66. It is designed for hard, abrasive track conditions that form a black groove and have an extreme amount of grip. The D60A will be built with approximately .060″ of tread thickness to eliminate the need for “tire cutting”. The D60A will be used under similar conditions as the Firestone YJF, but it will have better durability and repeatability.
The D60A is expected to be in stock by April 26, 2010.
LAKEVILLE, IN (April 5, 2010) — In an effort to ensure that Hoosier Tire has a competitive, reliable, consistent and race proven product line in the Vintage & Historic racing markets, the entire Hoosier TD tire line has been upgraded to offer several new performance benefits. The new HOTD S tire line will be offered with a new tread compound and stiffer sidewall construction. The new “S” tread compound will offer performance level grip sooner, grip levels remain consistent throughout a short 20 minute track session to 1 hour enduro and improved tread life compared to the previous HOTD compound. The new “S” sidewall is stiffer to accommodate a quicker steering response, improve cornering stability and quicker acceleration when exiting corners. 
“After months of in-depth track testing several designs, this decades old design has been brought up to 21st century technology. Drivers will notice a difference immediately!” stated Product Manager, Jeff Speer. Every tire size will be available to purchase after Monday, April 19th. Contact your nearest Hoosier distributor or dealer for price and availability questions, or visit www.hoosiertire.com for more information.
Justin Allgaier is the son of Mike and Dorothy Allgaier who own RACETIRES.COM presented by Hoosier Tire Midwest and Justin formerly drove the Hoosier Midwest #16 to the ARCA Championship in 2008… all of us at Hoosier Tire Midwest would like to congratulate Justin and his entire team and wish him continued success throughout the 2010 season!
BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 20, 2010) – Justin Allgaier, driver of the Penske Racing No. 12 Verizon Dodge in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, was able to hold off his teammate Brad Keselowski over the final 27 laps of Saturday’s Scotts Turf Builder 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway to win his first-career NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
The win allowed Allgaier to advance one position, to third, in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver point standings. Four races into the 2010 season, Allgaier trails point leader Carl Edwards by 31 markers.
Allgaier recorded the third-fastest times in both of Friday’s two practice sessions. In Saturday morning’s qualifying session, Allgaier toured the .533-mile oval in 15.871 seconds, at an average speed of 120.900 mph, to earn the 30th starting spot for the 300-lap event. Despite the less-than-desired result, Allgaier and his Chad Walter-led team remained optimistic about their chances for the race later that afternoon.
Once racing action began, the 23-year-old driver wasted little time improving his position, advancing four positions on the first lap. Allgaier needed just five more laps to break inside the top 20, and despite a loose-handling condition, he continued his climb towards the front, advancing into the top 10 at lap 43.
When a multi-car incident at lap 90 brought out the yellow flag, Allgaier followed the rest of the field to pit road, where the Verizon team performed a routine four-tire stop that allowed the third-year driver to maintain his position towards the front of the field. As the laps clicked off, Allgaier consistently recorded lap times equal to, or faster than, the race leader.
As the race neared the conclusion, Allgaier continued his climb to the top of the leaderboard, taking the second position at lap 233. A multi-car incident at lap 266 brought out the caution flag, allowing Allgaier to line up alongside Keselowski for the lap-273 restart. The Riverton, Ill. native took the lead when the green flag waved, and a spirited battle among the Penske Racing teammates ensued. Allgaier was able to keep Keselowski at bay, taking the checkered flag for his first-career NASCAR win.
“The Verizon Dodge guys are awesome,” said Allgaier. “This is an unbelievable win. That battle with Brad at the end was awesome. I couldn’t be happier to see two Penske cars running up there for the win. I have to admit that it’s pretty unbelievable. We had a great car in practice and I screwed up qualifying and didn’t get the run that we really needed. Chad (Walter, crew chief) told me that if I was there all day long and pushed it really hard, we’d be in victory lane and we’re here. This is unbelievable. I hope this is the first of many more wins to come this year.”
The Verizon team will enjoy an off-week in the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule before heading to Nashville Superspeedway. ESPN’s live television coverage of the Nashville 300 begins Saturday, April 3 at 3:30 p.m. EDT. The event will also be broadcast live on MRN Radio and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
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Justin Allgaier Scotts Turf Builder 300 Statistics
Start: 30
Finish: 1
Laps: 300/200
Laps Led: 23
Status: Running
Mounting and Inflation Safety Initiative
For additional SAFETY WARNINGS see the Hoosier Racing Tire spec catalog at www.hoosiertire.com
TIRE MOUNTING SAFETY:
* WARNING: Mounting of tires on wheels can be dangerous if done improperly. Only trained personnel, using the proper tools, safety equipment, and safety precautions, should attempt to mount tire and wheel assemblies.
* Determine that the tire and wheel are appropriate size and undamaged.
* Use a certified wheel and rim flange gauge to determine the bead size of the wheel.
* Inspect the tire completely before mounting.
* Read all warnings and recommendations located on the tire or tire manufacturers brochures, catalogs and/or websites.
* Determine the tire’s maximum recommended seating and inflation pressure located on the side of the tire and/or obtained from the dealer
* Mount the tire using proper tire mounting lubricant and tire mounting tools.
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