BFGoodrich Tires take control.

A landmark agreement with the TOCA Tour will see BFGoodrich Tires entering the top echelon of UK motorsport as the exclusive tyre supplier to the 2001 BTCC.

The association breaks new ground for the BFGoodrich tyre brand, making it the first time BFGoodrich race tyres have entered competition in the UK. New tyres - a slick and a full wet - have been developed specifically for both classes in the series.

The package also includes BFGoodrich Tires' title sponsorship of the new grassroots Production category in the TOCA Tour series, with a ?22,000 prize for drivers and teams.

Mark Hopkins, BF Goodrich Tires Brand Manager, said: "This is a major strategic push for the BFGoodrich brand in the UK. High-profile involvement with the BTCC has an excellent synergy with the high performance heritage of BFGoodrich Tires, and it will spearhead our substantial marketing campaign for the BFGoodrich road tyre range this year."

At the time of the launch, Richard West, Series Director added: "We are absolutely delighted to announce this new arrangement, which we fully believe will benefit both the Championship and competitors immensely."

BFGoodrich Tires sprung to prominence in the 1980's in the USA and UK, and have established significant firsts in motor sport with both road and racing tyres.

The brand was re-launched in the UK last year, with a new Profiler G high-performance road tyre line-up providing the cornerstone of a dynamic sales and marketing campaign.