PHOENIX, AZ (January 16) -- Every year, the Sport Car Club of America's Arizona Region shakes off the dust early and kicks off the west coast racing season with a Double National event at Phoenix International Raceway. In 2001, drivers from all across the United States journeyed to the "Valley of the Sun" for their first shot at SCCA gold in the new season. Eighteen drivers claimed victory honors on Hoosier tires at the event, including Bob Neumeister and Bill Wallschlaeger on redesigned Hoosier Formula Vee tires.

Neumeister and Wallschlaeger bolted on Hoosier's new R55-compounded tires and immediately noticed the improvement. "Both Bob and Bill could feel the difference in the new tires." said Hoosier Product Manager Bruce Foss. "The stability was incredible and the harder they drove the tires, the better their lap times got. Best of all, the profile and treadwear looked great even after a full double national. We expect great things from the new R55's throughout the year."

Formula Vee was not the only category in which Hoosier-shod drivers swept the double national event. Jeff Jorgensen, Brian Linn, and Marc Hoover also claimed both days of competition on the 1.51 mile road course. Also, Bob Schader, T.C. Kline, and Jorgensen used USA-built Hoosier racing tires to shatter existing track records in T-1, SSB, and F500 respectively. Jorgensen, who broke the existing record on Sunday, reset his own Formula 500 record again on Monday.