In Its Ninth Season Of Drivers Cup Competition, Dunlop Tires Invited 12 Amateur Automotive Enthusiasts To Participate In Five Different Driving Competitions To Select A Driver To Represent The USA In The World Finals.
If you're like us, you don't pay much attention to the countless sweepstakes that appear in the mail or on the internet. Responding only leads to more junk mail and telemarketing phone calls anyway. But for 12 auto enthusiasts, those sweepstake forms were a dream come true.
Dunlop Tires selected a diverse group of participants to take part in its Drivers Cup held at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). Competitors were chosen from short essays explaining their automotive and personal background. Once the individuals were selected, they were flown to VIR to race, eat and hang out with other car crazy people on Dunlop's dime.
As it happens, a group of Dunlop dealers and press were also invited to take part in the fun...
The three-day event showcased the strength of Dunlop's "driver's tires" as well as the company's vast array of applications.
The competitors were tested and scored on six different events: road course, autocross, ATV, motocross, SUV and kart. Most of the competitors were skilled in only a number of the events, so several struggled in events they hadn't much experience with.
Each event was scored individually on time, except for the SUV off-road event, which was scored on technical aptitude. Fortunately, the track event was weighted slightly higher than the other events, so it was clear Dunlop had its priorities straight.
Each race began with one practice session for participants to become accustomed with the vehicle, its tires and the course. Six individuals (four from the selected group, one dealer and a writer) are now moving on to the final round, which will take place in Europe. For more information on the Drivers Cup, visit www.dunloptires.com/driverscup.
The Six FinalistsTeam Winners (Best Team Score)Kevin Clarke - 50, Fryeburg, ME - former competitor and coach of the World Pro Ski Tour, currently sales manager for Maine Beverage of AugustaLee Clark - 43, Topanga, CA - Los Angeles consultant for Employers Group
Individual Winners (Best Individual Scores)David Furchak - 27, Romulus, MI - customer service rep for Thomson Creative Solutions in Ann ArborEgon Szenttamasy - 38, Pembroke Pines, FL - VP of operations for Schmidt Irmaoes Footwear
Retailer Class WinnerBilly Link - Discount Tire Co representative
Media Class WinnerTodd Eagan - Sport Compact Car contributor