Editor’s Note: Each month in recognition of SPEED SPORT’s 90th anniversary, the SPEED SPORT Insider will use the National Speed Sport News archives to look back at what happened in the racing world 50 years ago.
Firestone Withdrawing From Major Circuits
Officials of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. tempered the company’s withdrawal from major racing by indicating the company would “inventory” championship racing tires at the conclusion of the 1974 racing season and sell the tires “at a reasonable price.”
The company announced it would phase out the development, production and servicing of USAC Championship and Formula racing tires at the end of the year.
Production of late model sportsman, modified, drag, stock car and small sports car tires will be continued for sale through dealers, the announcement indicated.
The decision, reportedly made last November, was based purely on economics, said A. E. Brubaker, vice-president of advertising and public relations for the company.
“Costs of auto racing have skyrocketed in the past few years and there seems to be no end in sight. Firestone, therefore, has decided to divert the funds to programs which will be of more direct benefit to Firestone, its stockholders, employees and customers,” Brubaker said.
“Firestone has supported racing for many years, starting in 1911 at Indianapolis where our tires have been on 48 of the 58 winning cars. Until recent years auto racing served as a testing method for tires. However, with the trend first to belted bias tires and now to radial tires, there is much less relationship than formerly between race tires and passenger car tires and, therefore, much less consumer benefit,” be continued.
THIS ARTICLE IS ACCESSIBLE TO INSIDERS ONLY…
SPEED SPORT Insider is the ad-free premium extension of SPEEDSPORT.com. Insider is dedicated to the best and brightest in motorsports journalism – created by the best writers, photographers and reporters in the business. From veteran Hall of Fame writers like Bones Bourcier, Dave Argabright, Pat Sullivan, Keith Waltz, Ralph Sheheen and Editor in Chief Mike Kerchner, to behind the scenes SPEED SPORT reporters like David Hoffman, Nathan Solomon and more.
By subscribing to Insider, you not only get exclusive access to this premium content, but you support the journalists that are vital to telling the stories that matter most. Subscriptions are just $5/mo or $44.95 for an entire year. View plans and details.
SPECIAL OFFER! Subscribe now with this link and save $5.00!
