Pirelli Driving Experience

Pirelli's Innovative Ride-and-Drive Program is a Hit with Dealers Rome, Georgia, Oct. 31, 2003 - Pirelli has launched a new concept in dealer ride-and- drive events with the Pirelli Driving Experience. The innovative program, building upon Pirelli's partnership with the Panoz Racing School and the Audi Driving Experience, will energize and educate up to 80 dealers per day. The Pirelli Driving Experience emphasizes driving and training with expert instruction provided by the Panoz professional drivers. Dealers will first take to the autocross course where they will be taught proper cornering techniques and then experience the difference in handling between an original equipment fitment and a Plus-2 upgrade. First an Audi A4 with the 15-inch original equipment P6 Four Seasons will be evaluated. This will be followed by a MIRS U.S.-produced 17-inch P Zero Nero M+S to illustrate the extra grip and enhanced handling gained from a classic Plus-2 tuner conversion on a second A4. According to Pirelli Tire North America President and CEO Guy Mannino, If our dealers can experience first-hand the benefits of the plus sizing, this makes them much more confident to sell this concept when they return to their dealerships. Drivers will then move to a skills area where they will be able to put some of their newly learned driving techniques to the test in an emergency lane change maneuver and controlled panic braking. To keep the adrenalin pumping, there is a timed slalom event with prizes awarded for the fastest clean runs, meaning if a driver hits a cone, additional seconds will be added to his or her overall score. Audi A4s, Allroads, A8s, A6s and TTs, equipped with P Zero Rosso, P6 Four Seasons and P Zero Nero M+S Pirellis, will show off their impressive grip and handling capabilities. Oh, and just to keep the heart pounding and to test a drivers powers of concentration, each event will have a couple of special guests: Pirelli Girls. If youd like to see a selection of some of the Pirelli Girls who have supported Pirellis motorsports efforts this year, log on to www.pirellicompetizioni.com. Pirellis research clearly shows that a driving program involving hands-on learning from expert drivers like those from the Panoz Racing School is a great way to educate dealers on the benefits of high performance tires. And the positive feedback that Pirelli has received from the first event at Road Atlanta earlier this month proves that the company is on the right track: We had the opportunity to experience Pirelli products in a true performance atmosphere, commented Kevin Snyder of American Tire Distributors. We are really excited about our partnership with Pirelli and the opportunities they provide us and our dealers in becoming an even greater performance-oriented distributor. The feedback that we received at the event has been positive and has generated a new enthusiasm toward Pirelli products, company and its people. We couldnt have said it better. For information on when the Pirelli Driving Experience will be visiting your area, log on to the Pirelli web site at www.us.pirelli.com. Pirelli is centered on three core businesses, Tires, Energy and Telecom Cables and Systems, in which it is among the world leaders and innovators, with companies across five continents. Pirelli Tire North America specializes in the manufacture and marketing of high-performance car, light truck and motorcycle tires and is currently producing tires at its highly advanced MIRS technology (Modular Integrated Robotized System) factory near Atlanta, Georgia, to better serve the American OEM and Replacement markets.