OLSON DESTROYS TIRES AFTER 30 LAPS IN RACE TEST FOR INTERNATIONAL TIRE COMPANY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2005

Tao Yuen Karting Circuit, Taipei, Taiwan –

American racer Peter [“Pete”] Olson spent yet another Sunday showing off his bravado “sideways” racing style to fans and friends at the Tao Yuen Circuit today. After spending his race day passing competitors left and right, at the end of the day Olson was assigned to test a new set of tires from one of the largest tire manufacturers in Taiwan.

Testing new tires is not an easy undertaking and requires an understanding of certain engineering characteristics, as well as the ability to interpret ‘feedback’ from the tires.

However, within thirty laps of the important test, Olson had turned a leading multi-national company’s product into a mess of melted rubber.

“If these tires should last 500 laps, then they should not fail at thirty in my kart” said Olson. “I was getting way too much kickback from the steering and after twenty or so laps, I was getting massive under and over steer. I slowed things down, but when I noticed that the tires were smoking, I had to pull in and tell the team that there is no way we are going to win on these tires.”

Olson managed to reduce his tires to the ‘chords’, the inner part of the tire and the only thing left before a major blow-out and accident.

The new “test pilot” for one of the premier tire companies in Taiwan said “I heard that I was chosen to test these tires because of my driving style, but no matter what, there is no reason to take a tire down to the chords after 30 laps, sideways or not. I love Taiwan and I love racing in Taiwan, and I am very impressed with the level of quality produced in this country, the leading computer manufacturer in the world. But this test was a big surprise for me” said Olson, in typical brash understatement.

Olson will race in Tai Jung next weekend in the 100cc class as part of his sponsorship arrangement with the TYKA team, which has been impressed with Olson’s fitness level. The American racer usually stays out on the track for another 50 or more laps in each session, after everyone else calls it quits.

“Today, a former Champion told me, ‘you break a rib and that’s it for six months’. “I almost laughed, thinking about what he had just said, and what I have been through in all these years. Nothing worth achieving was ever without some pain and sacrifice.”

Quite a statement from Olson.

We wish Pete Olson the best of luck in next weekend’s races.

Charles Schepens

Schepens Promotions

29000 West Nine Mile Road

Farmington Hills, MI 48336

promotions@peteolson.com