As Falken Tires enters its second year of sports car competition, the tire manufacturer returns to the important and highly regarded American LeMans Series (ALMS) competition where it will once again compete in the series GT2 class.

What's different for the ALMS competition 2009 season is this year, Falken is running its own team, based at its corporate headquarters in Fontana, CA. Running the team is road racing veteran Rod Everett, owner of Landmark Motorsports. Rod brings decades of experience to the Falken team, having worked with many drivers and running teams in a wide range of race events, from sprint to endurance, including the Grand-Am's 24 Hours of Daytona. He has fielded cars for actor/racer Craig T. Nelson and Chad McQueen, son of the late Steve McQueen. Now, Rod takes on the challenge of building a new team that will compete at the pinnacle of sports car racing, within the very competitive GT2 class of ALMS competition.

The car is the powerful Porsche 911 RSR. The 4.0-liter boxer engine of the GT3 RSR remains unchanged with the exception of slight improvements in specified areas. The motor delivers 465 hp at 8,000 rpm. Weight of the race car is 2,700 pounds.

To ensure its competitiveness, Falken has developed a special Azenis RT Slick tire for this car, which the company will manufacture in Japan. A dedicated engineering and development crew will attend each ALMS competition event to observe and provide appropriate resources. Falken has developed much of its technology from its motorsports efforts throughout the world, including competition in Super Taikyu, at the 24 hours of the legendary Nurburgring - a punishing race - and the highly regarded Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Driving for Team Falken Tire in ALMS competition will be Dominic Cicero and Bryan Sellers. Dominic brings tremendous coaching and technical skills and knows how to shake down a car, providing valuable feedback to his manager and crew. He has been competing in road racing events for many years, most recently in Grand-Am competition, and has previously worked with Manager Everett. Bryan, who many consider "a sponge" because he absorbs virtually everything he takes in, has raced well in Grand-Am, his achievements noted by those putting together Falken's team, and he was subsequently invited to join Dominic as co-driver for the ALMS competition. Both men figure to deliver strong results when they join the series.

The ALMS competition has become the motorsports choice for the world's most elite manufacturers - both automotive and tire. Its strong racing, optimum venues and demand for high technology have consistently attracted companies seeking to introduce innovative product advancements and then test them against their competition throughout the season. Simply put, the ALMS competition is an elite research & development platform, and teams, auto manufacturers and tire constructors are engaged in fierce competition to prove their designs, their products, their packages, managed by their drivers, are the best in the world. With roots traced back to the 24 Hours of LeMans, the world's most prestigious automobile race, ALMS competition brings versatility, authenticity and relevancy to motorsports, and these are the reasons Team Falken Tire has chosen to race in this important venue.

Exposure also is important, and ALMS competition continues to attract large crowds at each race circuit. The series also boasts a television package that includes network broadcasts on ABC and NBC Sports, along with expanding package on SpeedTV, which will generate more coverage and introduce Falken Tires to an even larger audience, both at the ALMS competition and throughout the U.S.

This is what attracts Team Falken Tire: World-class competition, technical innovation and irresistible dedication - the perfect trifecta that no other racing body can offer, and the perfect environment (ALMS competition) in which to demonstrate the capabilities and enthusiasm of the team and the company.