Falken Tire To Support Wing Suit Jumper Joby Ogwyn's Leap Off Summit Of Mt. Everest Airing Live On Discovery Channel

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Feb. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As the manufacturer of high performance on- and off-road tires, Falken Tire is consistently seeking to align its brand to related ultra-high performance disciplines.  To that end, Falken has announced its sponsorship of the live television coverage by Discovery Channel of Joby Ogwyn's human flight from the summit of Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain.  The event will broadcast live on Discovery Channel as it happens this May.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140210/LA62616)

Falken will serve as one of the primary sponsors of the entire event, and will place its logo on Joby's wing-suit, and support his expedition and accompanying Sherpa team.  Joby, well known for his incredible high altitude climbs which have taken him around the world – with jumps from some of the most demanding peaks – will climb from Mt. Everest's Camp IV at 26,000 feet to the mountain's summit of 29,035 and perform a wing-suit jump to Base Camp, a distance of over 10,000 feet. 

"Clearly, this type of jump is something only a select few can attempt, let alone accomplish, and Falken Tire is very excited to be along for the ride," stated Richard Smallwood, President & CEO of Falken Tire.  "We look forward to working with Discovery Channel and Joby in helping to bring this amazing challenge to viewers and be able to do so as it happens.  This unique live airing definitely takes the concept of 'action sports' to a whole new level."

Like Joby, Falken Tire continues to show a limitless amount of energy in its expanding product lines, which reach an ever larger inventory of passenger vehicles and corresponding consumer demand, with multiple applications for high performance, off-road, light truck and touring.  Indeed, Falken's new ZIEX ZE950 All-Season tire offers 95 sizes. 

"As Falken grows, so does our consumer base, and we feel sponsoring a wide variety of events – from motorsports to Joby's triumphs as a climber and flight-suit jumper – will generate the kind of awareness we relish – as a brand like Joby – and Discovery Channel – that 'pushes the envelope' of performance," Smallwood added.

"This will be the final piece of my dream. Ever since I was a kid, I've imagined what it would be like to fly. I can't think of a more spectacular backdrop than Everest," said Joby. "Everything that I've ever accomplished in my life has just been practice for what I'm about to do."

Falken Tire Corporation is based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, which serves as the corporate headquarters for North American operations.   Its nearby facility in Fontana, CA, is the company's West Coast distribution center, while additional Falken Tire distribution locations in the U.S. include operations in Tennessee, New Jersey, Texas and now Jacksonville, FL.  For more information, visit Falken Tire's website at www.falkentire.com.

The Falken Tire brand, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, launched its brand in its native country of Japan in 1983, and was introduced to the North American market two years later. At its inception, Falken was created as the flagship high performance radial brand under Ohtsu Tire and Rubber. Now, more than 30 years later, Falken has taken a leadership role in performance tires as it focuses on UHP (Ultra High Performance) products, as well as light truck and touring tires, and utilizes a variety of motorsports programs, such as drifting, the Professional SportsCar Championship and off-road racing to further develop and improve passenger vehicle products for worldwide distribution.

Falken Media Contact:
James Yim
[email protected]

SOURCE Falken Tire Corporation