NSANY(ATL)

BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE OFFERS FREE-TICKET FRIDAY TO CENTRIX FINANCIAL GRAND
PRIX PRE-RACE ACTIVITIES

DENVER, Colo. (Aug. 19, 2003) - As the competition heats up for the
CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver, spectators can save cool cash on
many pre-race activities compliments of Bridgestone/Firestone North
American Tire, LLC (BFNT).

“Fans will be able to go from one temperature extreme to another. First,
seeing the amazing handling of our Bridgestone Potenza race tires fitted
on the Champ Cars on the outside track, and then experiencing firsthand
the cool competition and grip on the ice inside the Bridgestone Blizzak
Chill Zone," said Phil Pacsi, executive director of consumer tire
marketing for BFNT.

"This ice driving experience is a true testament to consumers
demonstrating how important tire performance is - even on one of the most
extreme surfaces," Pacsi added.

Free tickets for pre-race activities on Friday, August 29 are now
available at participating Denver area Firestone Mastercare Tire and
Service Centers, Peerless Tire stores and Tires Plus retail outlets. The
pre-race activities include the Bridgestone Blizzak tire event in the
Blizzak Chill Zone held in the Pepsi Center, August 29-31.

Those already holding tickets to Saturday and Sunday's race activities are
also invited to join in the Pepsi Center's Blizzak Chill Zone pre-race
events.

The public had the first opportunity to experience the Bridgestone Blizzak
Chill Zone at the Pepsi Center concurrent with last year's Grand Prix
event. As they did last year, consumers will again get to test their
limits as they pit an all-season tire against the Bridgestone Blizzak snow
and ice tire when both are fitted on identical vehicles. Between driving
sessions consumers will also get the chance to take to the ice and skate
on the rink the famous Denver Avalanche calls home.

Blizzak Chill Zone Activities Include:

Free-Ticket Friday

9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Free skate

11:45a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Consumer driving event – compare vehicles fitted
with Bridgestone Blizzak tires and a competitive tire on the ice rink

12:45 p.m. -1:45 p.m. CART Fan Forum/Ice Demo with Jim McGee (General
Manager, Patrick Racing), Terry Lingner (President, Lingner Group
Productions), and Al Speyer (Director, Motorsports, BFNT)

2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Free skate; Bridgestone Blizzak demo every hour

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Consumer driving event – compare vehicles fitted with
Bridgestone Blizzak tires and a competitive tire on the ice rink

4:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Fan Appreciation/Autograph Session with Champ Car
drivers

5 p.m. Race team owners take to the ice

Following are the tentative scheduled pairings for Friday night’s friendly
competition.

5:00-5:15 -- Bobby Rahal/Stefan Johansson*
5:15-5:30 -- Paul Gentilozzi*/Emerson Fittipaldi



5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. CART drivers join team owners for friendly ice
competition



5:30-5:45 -- Speed Channel talent, hopefully Scott Pruett/Tommy Kendall
5:45-6:00 -- Ryan Hunter-Reay*/Sebastien Bourdais*
6:00-6:15 -- Patrick Carpentier/local media member
6:15-6:30 -- Paul Tracy/fan selected at random during autograph session

Saturday

9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Free skate

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Consumer driving event – compare vehicles fitted with
Bridgestone Blizzak tires and a competitive tire on the ice rink

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Free skate with Bridgestone Blizzak demonstrations
every hour

3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Consumer driving event – compare vehicles fitted with
Bridgestone Blizzak tires and a competitive tire on the ice rink

Sunday

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Free skate with Blizzak demonstrations every hour

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Consumer driving event – compare vehicles fitted
with Bridgestone Blizzak tires and a competitive tire on the ice rink

1 p.m. Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver

Bridgestone entered Champ Car competition in 2002 as Official Tire
Supplier to every entrant. The world's largest tire and rubber company
increased its stake and profile in 2003, becoming series sponsor of what
is now known as Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by
Ford

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is a subsidiary of
Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc., (BFAH) whose parent company,
Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company.
BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and
associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and
original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial
vehicle, off-road, agriculture and other tires to its customers in North
America.

# # #

NOTE: Special product information on each Bridgestone Blizzak winter tire
is available through www.bridgestonetire.com, by choosing the "Tire
Selector" button.
Winter driving tips and digital high-resolution photography of the Blizzak
tire and cars/drivers driving in winter conditions are available by
visiting the Chill Zone at: www.bridgestonetire.com/winterdriving.

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

Thanks for the tip NSANY. While I didn't want to spring for a full pass, I took my wife's nephew to the Friday practice and qualifying w/free passes. Even tried the Blizzack demo in the Pepsi Center on the ice (predictable, not too much fun).

Since you're in Atlanta, I'd also like to ask if you've heard of any open track days at Road Atlanta. I've raced there in the past and would love to get down that way again!