BFGoodrich Tires is combining its winning technology with the skill of legendary BMX star Dave Mirra and 2004 WRC Production Class champion Niall McShea for X Games 14.  Mirra will be partnered with co-driver Alex Kihurani and McShea will team up with co-driver Marshall Clarke for the Rally Racing Super Special on August 3.  Each will field a BFGoodrich Tires-backed Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car prepared by Vermont SportsCar for the ever-popular X Games four-wheel competition.

Mirra earned his X Games bid via an “at large” invitation due to his incredible BMX background and recent rally racing accomplishments, which include a seventh overall finish at the 2008 New England Forest Rally, round six of the 2008 Rally America National Championship and the precursor to this year’s X Games rally competition.  Mirra and Kihurani set consistent top-ten stage times against veteran rally drivers, which marks the best finish of Mirra’s burgeoning rally career after entering several rallies earlier this year in a lower specification Subaru rally car.

Northern Irishman McShea captured the X Games rally “wildcard” spot by winning the New England Forest Rally after a close battle with pupil, fellow competitor and X Games 13 silver medalist, Ken Block.  “To be able to run against McShea and keep up with him, I think, validates our sport in America, McShea is world-class.  Both Travis Pastrana and I have been tutored by him so it was great fun to actually go head-to-head with our instructor,” explained Block.

BFGoodrich Tires will also be the tire of choice for both X Games 12 gold medalist, Pastrana and his Subaru Rally Team USA teammate Block.  Each will be contending in 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally cars at this year’s event and each will get another chance to battle it out with their friend and mentor, McShea.  Pastrana has jumped into the lead of the 2008 Rally America National Championship standings, following a third overall finish at the New England Forest Rally prior to the X Games. 

“BFGoodrich Tires has a strong tradition in extreme motorsports competition and has earned championships from the deserts of Baja and Dakar to the asphalt of Japan and the U.S.,” said Tom Jupena, marketing communications manager for BFGoodrich Tires.  “Since the beginning of our involvement in X Games competition, our teams have earned five medals, more than any other tire manufacturer.  We are very proud of our teams and their level of success in making BFGoodrich Tires the brand to beat in X Games rally competition.”

The first six races of the 2007 Rally America National Championship served as qualifying events for the popular X Games action-sport competition.  The X Games Rally Car Racing Super Special will take place at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, Aug. 3. The X Games Rally Car Racing Super Special will be aired live on ABC on Sunday at 3 p.m. Eastern.  Please check local listings for repeat airdates and times. 

BFGoodrich Tires Teams include:

Driver
Co-Driver
Vehicle
Tires

Travis Pastrana
Derek Ringer
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
BFGoodrich Rally

Ken Block
Alex Gelsomino
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
BFGoodrich Rally

Dave Mirra
Alex Kihurani
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
BFGoodrich Rally

Niall McShea
Marshall Clarke
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
BFGoodrich Rally

X Games Rally Schedule

Event
Date / Time
Location

Rally Practice
Thursday, July 31 / 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Home Depot Center

Rally Practice
Friday, August 1 / 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Home Depot Center

Rally Eliminations
Sunday, August 3 / 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Home Depot Center

Super Special
Sunday, August 3 / 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Home Depot Center

Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock-crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com.