Cypress, Calif. – November 19, 2007 Nitto Tire and sponsored drivers, Dylan Evans, Kreg Donahoe, Brady Helm and Steve Krieger, of Team Donahoe, competed in the SCORE off-road series at the Baja 1000 on November 13-15, 2007. The team performed exceptionally well, finishing second in Class 3.  The team campaigned its FJ Cruiser equipped with Nitto’s Terra Grappler™ All-Terrain tires and completed the nearly-1300-mile race without any flats and on one set of tires. Their finishing position also secured the 2007 SCORE Class 3 championship.

The team entered the Baja 1000 first in points, and knew that they’d have to pace themselves through the difficult Baja terrain to maintain their points lead. This year’s course was one of the longest and most grueling on record, consisting of 1296.39 miles that stretched from Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas. Temperatures and elevations fluctuated dramatically, ranging below freezing in the 4800-foot mountain peaks to over 100 degrees in the desert stretches. The race also covered nearly every imaginable terrain, from sand, rocks, silt beds, swamps and over 160 miles of pavement. The course was so treacherous that only two of the nine teams in Class 3 were able to finish the race. Despite the difficult conditions and varying temperatures, the team completed the 2-day race on one set of off-the-shelf Terra Grappler All-Terrain tires. The team finished the race in second place and 103rd place overall, with a time of 41:47:12. The team’s finishing position earned them the 2007 SCORE Class 3 championship.

“We are proud of Team Donahoe’s efforts this season,” said Efrain Viveros, Senior Staff Engineer at Nitto Tire. “They have performed consistently all season and they deserve the championship. This championship really speaks to the skills of our team and the quality of our products – even straight out of the box.”

When Teammate Steve Krieger crossed the finish line, he stated, “The tires worked unbelievably well. From huge silt beds to sharp, rocky downhill sections the tires reacted like a full-blown race tire. They took everything we threw at them. We finished on the same tires we started on 1300 miles and two days earlier.”

“SCORE racing is infamous for its difficulty. We are thrilled to have done so well,” stated Tim Coltey, Marketing Assistant at Nitto Tire. “Taking home the championship is a great victory for Nitto. We thank Team Donahoe for their hard work, and dedication to racing.”

Nitto Tire and Team Donahoe look forward to defending their championship title in the 2008 SCORE series.

The Nitto Terra Grappler All-Terrain tire utilizes a multi-block tread design for excellent off-road traction. The staggered shoulder lugs provide traction in deep sand, mud, and loose gravel. The Terra Grappler is available in retail stores.  Visit NittoTire.com for the nearest retail locations.

Nitto Tire North America develops performance tires for all uses, including racing, off-road and street. Using state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing facilities in both Japan and the United States, the company strives to provide innovative and high-quality performance tires for the most demanding enthusiasts. For more information about Nitto Tire or its products, visit the company’s web site or contact the company directly. Nitto and Nitto Terra Grappler are registered trademarks of Nitto Tire North America, Inc., located at 6021 Katella Ave., Suite 250, Cypress, CA 90630.