CLEVELAND, OH (February 26, 2007) – Teams competing in the Baja Protruck Off Road Race Series look to Alcoa Forged Specialty Wheels, a Cleveland-based business unit of Alcoa Inc., and the official wheel of the series, to provide strong, durable wheels for competition.  Alcoa works closely with Ivan “Ironman” Stewart and the field of Protruck teams to always provide the finest forged aluminum wheels for each event. 

Agave Motorsports wheel with no tire

At the recent Protruck Parker 425 event, a course known for rough terrain and punishing trails, Rick L. Johnson and Dane Cardone of Agave Motorsports experienced two flat tires over the race, the last coming at a crucial point close to the finish. 

Soon after driver Dane Cardone and navigator Pat Bell drove their Toyota Tundra through a particularly demanding section of the course, the truck suffered a right rear tire blow out.  Despite the blow out, the team decided to complete the final over a mile and one-half distance with the flat tire.  They crossed the finish line still in the lead completing the race in 8 hours, 49 minutes and 33 seconds, claiming victory on three tires and an Alcoa wheel with no tire. 

“Our class races are so close together that we had a tough battle going for the win and we had to push the truck and its components to the extreme,” Rick L. Johnson said after the race.  “This win put our equipment to the ultimate test.”

“Participation in Protruck allows us to demonstrate our wheel strength in extreme environments.  Protruck drivers compete with the same wheels that consumers can buy from their local retailer,” said Brandon Stotsenburg, Alcoa Forged Specialty Wheels Marketing Director. 

All Alcoa forged wheels are made from one piece of 6061-T6 aluminum and manufactured to exceed OEM standards for ultimate strength and durability.  One-piece forging design eliminates welds that concentrate stress where fatigue cracks can start.  Forging also aligns the metal grain in a uniform direction along the contours of the wheel, further increasing strength.  “Our strength tests prove that Alcoa forged aluminum

ALCOA FORGED ALLOY WHEEL STRENGTH PROVEN IN COMPETITION
Protruck Team Drives to Win on Three Tires and One Alcoa Wheel
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wheels can withstand loads of more than 400% greater than steel wheels providing safer driving dynamics,” said Stotsenburg.  “Today’s race further validated our product testing and reinforced the unparalleled strength, value, and quality of our products and the significance of Alcoa’s lifetime limited structural warranty.”

“Alcoa builds a fine product that did not let us down, even when we needed it the most, without a tire on it.  This is a true testament to how tough Alcoa one piece forged wheels really are,” said Rick L. Johnson.  “The Parker Arizona course is one of the toughest types of terrain that we race on.  It is amazing how tough these wheels are.”

About Alcoa Wheel Products
Alcoa Wheel Products is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and employs more than 3,000 associates in seven locations globally. The Alcoa business unit manufactures cast and forged aluminum wheels for the heavy truck, automotive, and motorcycle industries.

About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap® foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa® wheels, and Baco® household wraps. Among its other businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 43 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.