Nitto Tire Kicks Up Dirt at KING OF THE HAMMERS: The Ultimate Desert Race

CYPRESS, Calif., Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nitto Tire, a leading producer of high performance tires is prepping for a big win at this year's toughest desert race, King of the Hammers: The Ultimate Desert Race (KOH).  Nitto Tire has put together some of the top winning drivers into six officially sponsored teams to tackle this extreme test of strategy, speed and guts.  To further their edge in this competition, Nitto Tire has also developed a new, non-DOT tire specifically for this event called the 40x13.50R17 Trail Grappler K-spec®.  The first tire designed for speed and rock climbing – two essential tests known in the KOH – the 40x13.50R17 Trail Grappler K-spec combines these two attributes in one performance package making it an industry first. 

The Nitto Tire teams are led by top drivers, including: 2010's KOH winner, Loren Healy; 2009's first place winner, Jason Scherer; female driving sensation Cottin Rodd; as well as Derek West, Mel Wade and Masa Tsuda.  Nitto Tire will also capture the excitement and thrilling action of the race through a documentary-style film.  The film will be available on the official Nitto Tire website and will showcase the grueling, dangerous race in the California desert.

"King of the Hammers, is such a grueling and demanding race, drivers are constantly looking for any advantage against their competitors," said Tim Coltey, marketing and event specialist, Nitto Tires.  "With Nitto's development of the Trail Grappler K-Spec, we are confident the Nitto teams will have that extra edge as no other tire can handle the speed, dirt and rock crawling like this new tire."  

King of the Hammers: The Ultimate Desert Race is unique as it tests teams and drivers in high speed desert terrain and their ability to traverse rocks.  Race car speeds are achieved through dusty desert trails, while the sheer vertical rock walls and rock washes brings another level of excitement and skill to this race unlike any other.  The course spans more than 120 miles and usually takes teams between six to eight hours to complete…if they make it.  Less than half of the teams in the KOH actually finish this insane adrenaline rush of a race.

King of the Hammers: The Ultimate Desert Race will be held at Means Dry Lake in Johnson Valley, Calif., on Friday, February 10, 2012. Nitto Tire will have a booth will be at the event from February 6-11.  For more information, please visit http://youtu.be/A0HaT8J6yBI.

About Nitto Tire

Nitto Tire (www.nittotire.com) 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 – Nitto provides innovative and high-quality performance tires for the most demanding automotive enthusiasts. For more information about Nitto or its products, visit the company's web site or contact the company directly. Nitto is a registered trademark of Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., located at 5665 Plaza Drive, Ste. 250, Cypress, Calif., 90630.

Media Contact: Karina St. Jean
Rogers & Cowan
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SOURCE Nitto Tire