2006 Need for Speed™ Formula Drift Championship Series Rhys Millen Takes The High Road On Bridgestone Potenza Tires – Earns Podium Finish Round Three, Chicago Soldier Field – Chicago, IL

“It was a close race for first position, but under the given circumstances I am pleased with second place. Drifting is a subjective sport, and second place is a great finish,� said Millen. “The Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R really is outstanding. With each event, traction and responsiveness of the RE-01R continues to surpass expectations, even today under the colder than normal conditions. It is just unreal.�

Also running on the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R tire, Pierre Kleinubing of RealTime Drift in only his second Formula D event, battled his way into the Top 32, wheeling his Honda S2000 thru the challenging course.

“The Potenza RE-01R is impressive; I had unbelievable control of my car from the first run to the last. Behind the wheel I could remain focused on attacking the course, the tire didn't change at all," said Kleinubing. "With the buzz about the consistency of the RE-01R, it appeared other teams were adjusting their vehicles to mimic the handling performance of the Bridgestone shod cars; that says it all!"

Sponsored by Tire Rack and driving on Bridgestone tires, Rich Rutherford of Tool Racing was short of a top three finish, but amazed drifting fans with his performance. Rutherford made it to the Top 16 pushing what many call the “Little Evo That Could.�

“My first two laps were fairly conservative, but the grip of the Potenza RE-01R allowed me to slide on edge where I could feel the limit,� said Rutherford. “The tires never gave way!�

“Despite weather, a new course layout and other challenges, this turned out to be a great competitive event for the Bridgestone brand� said Rodreich Stotsenburg, UHP Marketing & Education Support Manager, BFNT. “We are eager to head to Infineon Raceway next month.�

Drivers will compete in Round 4 of 7 next month at Infineon Raceway in Northern California on July 8. For more details, visit www.bridgestonetire.com/drifting .

Formula D – Round Three
Chicago Soldier Field, IL
June 10, 2006
Point Ranking

Place Driver Tire Vehicle Point
1 Samuel Hubinette BFG Dodge Viper 300
2 Rhys Millen Bridgestone Pontiac GTO 258
3 Tanner Foust Toyo Nissan 350Z 242
3 Daijiro Yoshihara Nitto Nissan Silvia S13 222
5 Vaughn Gittin Jr. Falken Ford Mustang 194
6 Ken Gushi Toyo Ford Mustang 187
7 Taka Aono Falken Toyota AE86 180
8 Casper Canul Cooper Nissan 240SX 174
9 Calvin Wan Falken Infiniti G35 131
10 Yukinobu Okubo BFG Nissan Skyline R34 124

About Formula Drift:
Entering its third season, Formula Drift, produced and wholly owned by Irvine, Calif.-based Formula Drift, Inc., continues to expand into new markets as the first and only sanctioned and recognized North American professional drifting championship series (sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing). A well-established sport in Japan for more than a decade, Formula Drift, Inc. and its sister-company Slipstream Global Marketing, Inc. were instrumental in bringing the first official competition to the United States in 2003 at the Irwindale Speedway (Irwindale, Calif.)

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