The 2002 NOPI Nationals lived up to its promise and we can't wait until our 2003 Tour gets underway. We're already wet with anticipation. Well, we're always wet, but our anxiousness makes for a good excuse.
Are You Up To The Challenge?We had almost more fun in the parking lot than in the show itself. The BFGoodrich Tires Challenge pitted its rubber against three top competitors in a performance street tire smackdown. The setting was the lot outside of Turn 4, which BFG transformed into a gigantic autocross course. The cars chosen were representative of our market-an RSX, an IS 300, and a WRX. Cheers to BFG for selecting one front, one rear, and one all-wheel drive; and jeers to them for not offering any manual gearboxes. (Note to BFG: If someone can't handle a manual transmission, then they have no business considering a performance tire purchase.)
We were just a few of more than the 1,000 people who put BFGs to the test. There were two identical models of each car-one shod with BFGs, the other fitted with a direct competitor. Each of the comparison cars featured the same size tire inflated to the same air pressure. The BFG RSX was on Scorcher T/As, the IS on g-Force T/A KDWs, and the WRX on g-Force T/A KDs. With each car we drove the competitive tires first, followed immediately by the BFGs. On every comparison the BFGs felt substantially quicker around the track. Of course, some of this could be attributed to the fact that it takes a lap to get accustomed to each vehicle, but there was a noticeable improvement in overall handling. Regardless of the outcome, we think it was really good of BFG to allow everyone to flog these cars around for a few laps.
We can help you with that zipper.
"Oh, my Gaaaawd!"
Super Street party! Room 482.
Those beads aren't gonna flash themselves.
Mike Rosenfeld from Seaville, New Jersey, drove the entire length of The Tour with the cords showing on one of his tires. In Atlanta, the BFG crew took pity on him and gave him a new tire on the spot!
"Gimme a Y. What's that spell? NOPI!"
Otis and Karen-love at first sight.