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(Lakeville, IN, September 24, 2009) Terrence F. McVerry, United States District
Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Tuesday September 15, granted a
request for summary judgment on behalf of Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. and Dirt
Motor Sports, Inc., d/b/a World Racing Group. In granting the request, the
judge decreed the case closed.
The court wrote in its decision, "... The
summary judgment record demonstrates that the sanctioning bodies clearly want
single tire rules, and that both Hoosier and STA compete to have their tires
selected. Competition to become the exclusive supplier “is
a vital form of rivalry, and often the most powerful one, which the antitrust
laws encourage rather than suppress…”
The court went on to say,”… STA has not
suffered an “Antitrust Injury”
and, thus, does not have standing to bring this action…”
The suit was initiated against Hoosier by Race Tires America, a division of
Specialty Tires of America (STA), manufacturer of American Racer tires, in
September 2007. A month later, Dirt Motor Sports was named an additional
defendant. STA has the right to appeal.
"We are pleased with the court's decision," said Bob Newton,
president of Hoosier Racing Tire. "This is a victory for Hoosier Tire and
good news for promoters, teams, and drivers who for 25 years enjoyed the cost
control and parity resulting from one-tire rules. Hoosier has supported
one-tire rules since prevailing over M&H Racing Tires in litigation that
established their lawfulness in 1984.”
Newton also said: "We appreciate the support of the sanctioning groups,
tracks, and drivers with whom we do business, and pledge that we will continue
to manufacture and deliver race tires of the highest quality at competitive
prices. We will continue to support promoters, sanctioning groups, and drivers,
doing our part to increase car counts, enhance competition and sustain fan
appeal."
Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. headquartered and located in Lakeville, Indiana,
focuses its business exclusively on selling racing tires. Hoosier is the
largest race tire manufacturer in the world that specializes in manufacturing
racing tires.
To read the court ruling in its entirety click
here.
For more information, contact Dennis
Sherman at Hoosier Racing Tire or Don Knebel at the law firm Barnes &
Thornburg LLP, (317) 231-7214.
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