LAS VEGAS, NEVADA • March 30, 2009 — The General Grabber™ competition tires take home a third place podium at the legendary Mint 400 race in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rick Johnson of Team 71 piloted his General Tire Trophy Truck to a podium finish in this punishing 95-mile lap course.
“We are pumped about Rick’s performance in the General Tire Mint 400 race and thrilled at the performance of the General Grabber competition tire.” said Terry Smouter, events manager, General Tire. “”
“Our seventh place starting position was difficult; patience, persistence and the team’s tireless dedication compelled us take the General Tire truck to the podium.” stated Rick Johnson, driver of Team 71 Racing.
Originally created in 1969, the “Del Webb Mint 400 Desert Rally" as the first race was known, ran between the Mint Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas, and its sister hotel, The Sahara Tahoe. It was a demanding 400-mile course, with a lucrative purse, and over the years it attracted not only the best drivers in off-road racing, but also a number of celebrities.
Then in 1988, the Mint Hotel was sold and the historic race disappeared. In 2008 General Tire and SNORE brought back the legendary race and in 2009 included the Miss Mint 400 competition and a celebrity racer.
The new General Tire Mint 400 started from the Fremont Street Experience Thursday and wound through an arduous 95-mile lap course to the finish line early Sunday morning.
General Tire has ‘unleashed the fury’ in off-road competitive performance with its Grabber competition tires as General Tire powers into the 2009 off-road racing season.
Designed with a tough, three-ply Duragen™-reinforced body construction to stand up to the rigors of off-road conditions, the Grabber also features a newly-developed competition-specific tread compound. In addition, the Grabber name and General Tire logo are prominently featured on the sidewall in red and white letters. The Grabber competition tire is designed in size 37x12.50R17 for class 8 and trophy truck/trick truck and 35x12.50R17 for class 1, 6, 7, 7 S, stock mini and protruck.
General Tire also has a complete line of Grabber tires for the passenger and light truck market (available later this year), including the new Grabber DOT-approved off-road tire; the Grabber HTS, which delivers the perfect synergy of comfort, durability and performance; the Grabber UHP, which sets a whole new standard in performance and ride quality for SUVs, light trucks and crossover vehicles; and Grabber AT2, designed for aggressive all-terrain traction in all weather conditions.
