TROY, Mich.-After nearly 30 years, Troy-based Eldorado Tire Co. has dropped the checkered flag from its logo and replaced it with a gold sunburst. The new logo also features sleeker, italic lettering.
Nitto Tires provides new marketing tools
LOS ANGELES-Nitto Tires has introduced an in-store tire dis-play and four-color bay banner.
The in-store display has inter-changeable feature boards to handle specific tires, Nitto said.
The bay banner highlights the NT-500Z ultra-high-performance radial and uses the tire line's theme: ``Born to Perform.''
Pirelli adds name to New Orleans race
NEW HAVEN, Conn.-Pirelli, which ended its 38-year absence from U.S. racing earlier this year, has become the presenting sponsor of the Acxiom Grand Prix du Mardi Gras, Oct. 6-8 in New Orleans.
The tire maker's logo will be used on millions of items, including 5 million cans of Pepsi,
to promote the final race of the International Motorsports Association Exxon World Sports Car Championship season.
Drivers Fermin Velez and Mauro Baldi, both riding on Pirellis, are running first and third in the points series.
Richard Petty joins Money Express card
DAYTON, Ohio-Former NASCAR driver Richard Petty has become a spokesman for the Money Express credit card, offered by the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association and Bank One, Dayton.
Mr. Petty will have his famous blue-and-orange No. 43 Pontiac Grand Prix race car in the Bank One booth at the NTDRA conven-tion and trade show in New Orleans.
The superstar driver will be featured in point-of-sale displays, newspaper advertisements, radio spots and direct mail and training materials throughout 1996, Bank One said.
Firehawks, Eagles to battle next year
AKRON-Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. will continue to supply its Firestone Firehawk tires to Patrick Racing through 1998-paving the way for Firestone and Goodyear to continue their IndyCar circuit battle for the next three seasons.
Scott Pruett and Andre Ribeiro, both using Firehawks, each won one race last season, while drivers using Eagles placed first in the remaining 15.