BFGoodrich Tires Honors Black Bear Pass as Outstanding Trail for 2006

– Local Off-Road Group Receives Grant to Support Trail Conservation Efforts –

OURAY, Colo. – Aug. 19, 2006 – Colorado’s most demanding off-road drive, the Black Bear Pass trail, earned another accolade today as BFGoodrich Tires recognized it as one of its 2006 Outstanding Trails. BFGoodrich Tires celebrated the trail during a ceremony at the club’s annual trail ride and work event. During the festivities, BFGoodrich Tires presented a grant to the Creeper Jeepers Gang of Durango, which will be used to preserve the scenic trail and continue conservation efforts for one of Colorado’s most famous off-road routes.

BFGoodrich Tires, working in conjunction with Tread Lightly!® and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), designated the Black Bear Pass trail as one of the 2006 Outstanding Trails for its prominence in the off-road community. This one-way four-wheel drive trail is ideal for thrill seekers, providing drivers with demanding roads and a multitude of panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains. Spectacular meadows, alpine lakes and Ingram and Bridal Veil Falls create add to the picturesque scenery.

"Due to the damage that occurs every spring from snow melt and spring run-off, trail repairs take up a majority of our efforts to keep Black Bear open and easily traversable for the visitors to this area," said Keith Cramer, President of the Creeper Jeepers Gang. "With BFGoodrich Tires choosing Black Bear for the Outstanding Trails program and the Creeper Jeepers continuing adoption of the trail, Black Bear will continue to be the premier trail in Colorado. Having the support of a company like BFGoodrich Tires not only helps us keep this wonderful trail open, but adds to the local economy by keeping Black Bear and the surrounding trailsa vacation destination."

The Creepers Jeepers Gang of Durango is a not-for-profit organization founded to unite adventure loving off-roaders through worthwhile four-wheel drive activities. The club promotes responsible land stewardship, educates members on responsible driving and supports land conservation efforts by participating in voluntary highway and trail clean-ups. Membership to the family-friendly group, is open to all those owning any four-wheel drive vehicle. The club runs mild to extreme trails in Southwestern Colorado and the entire four corners region.

“The Black Bear Pass trail is famous for its off-camber switchbacks, narrow shelf roads with thousand-foot-plus drop offs and breath-taking views – definitely worthy to make the 2006 Outstanding Trails,” said Gary Enterline, light truck marketing manager for BFGoodrich Tires. “Off-roading is the heart and soul of BFGoodrich Tires, and we are delighted to team up with groups like the Creeper Jeepers Gang to ensure that these lands will continue to stay beautiful and safe for future visitors.”

After a careful selection process, five of North America’s “outstanding” off-road trails were nominated for uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast following. The four other Outstanding Trails aside from Black Bear Pass are: Historic Naches Pass, a scenic and historically valuable trail in Naches, Washington; Pyeatt Draw, a scenic and exciting trail situated in Payson, Arizona; Hell’s Revenge, a rugged trail known for its “slick rock” and sandstone terrain in Moab, Utah; and Upper Tellico OHV Area, Trail #4, located in the Natahala National Forest, in North Carolina where Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia meet.

Both Tread Lightly! and UFWDA are non-profit organizations dedicated to responsible and ethical outdoor recreation. BFGoodrich Tires collaborated with these two groups to select the finest North American trails, and will continue to work with these organizations on restoration and education initiatives.

Tread Lightly!

Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Tread Lightly!'s strategic educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives are designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with the needs of the environment. The federal government recognizes this by acknowledging Tread Lightly! as a sole-source service provider of education and training on how to be environmentally and socially responsible while using motorized and mechanized vehicles in off-highway settings.

United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA)

United Four Wheel Drive Associations is the world’s leading representative of all-brand four wheel-drive enthusiasts. UFWDA benefits, developed and tested true over the past 30 years, include four wheel drive safety and awareness education; user ethics programs such as adopt-a-road, conservation volunteer, and volunteer trail patrol; assistance with new club formation; education seminars to aid four wheelers through complex state and federal programs affecting trail access; internet forums designed to connect members globally and instantaneously; and unrestrained member access to its full-time legislative advocate and nationally-recognized attorney working exclusively for four wheel drive enthusiasts to protect access and prevent road and trail closures. For more information on the UFWDA log on to www.ufwda.org or call toll free 1-800-44-UFWDA (800-448-3932).

BFGoodrich Tires

BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle from ultra-high performance tuner vehicles, sports cars and SUVs to the hottest sport trucks, pickups and rock-crawling rigs in the world. For more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires has used motorsports as a proving ground.

Success on the street begins with winning on the track and BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drag, desert, rally (Dakar and WRC) and extreme rock-crawling. With 20 consecutive Baja 1000 wins, the most wins in rock-crawling history, and an unmatched record on pavement, BFGoodrich Tires has proven the only records it breaks are its own. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.

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Media Contacts: Mark Burd

864-458-5115