NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 20, 2009) – Bridgestone has launched Battlax BT-003RS, an ultra-high performance and trackday tire seen for the first time at the INTERMOT 2008 in Cologne. It is designed to provide great street and track day performance for all sport motorcycles from 250cc on, while offering riders the chance to enjoy the exciting grip performance of Bridgestone’s MotoGP multi-layer compound technology. Compared to the BT-002RS which it will replace, the new BT-003RS provides total handling improvement in all riding modes with noticeably better contact feel, feedback, stability and grip as well as longer wear life. Maximum grip from MotoGP compound technology Bridgestone has combined its top MotoGP construction design with its latest multi-compound technology from Straight And Cornering Technology (SACT) to produce a sport tire that gives high-level grip performance in braking, cornering and acceleration. The BT-003RS front tire has a Dual Tread Compound (DTC): a center compound for linear handling and longer wear life, flanked by a shoulder compound (New “Ultraction Compound”) to secure high grip and a strong contact feeling. The rear BT-003RS tire also features Bridgestone’s DTC technology. The center compound gives good stability and higher mileage, while the shoulder compound (New “Ultraction Compound”) transfers the engine power to the road with strong traction and provides strong side grip and a massive contact feeling at deep lean angles. The line holding feels almost like riding on a rail. The 140, 150 and 160 rears have Triple Tread Compound, as was first used in the Battlax BT-016 last year. Improved handling Front and rear construction is based on Bridgestone’s proven High Tensile Super Penetrated Cord (HTSPC) platform with steel Mono Spiral Belt (MSB). This one-piece construction enhances slide controllability and line-holding through corners, while providing good shock absorption. The increased compression stiffness it produces helps to maintain a uniform contact patch and stability at high speeds. Noticeable S-shaped grooves in the center tread area (for both front and rear) provide improved contact feel and precise cornering ability. Also, wide lug grooves placed from the center to the shoulder tread area enhance drainage and wet performance for practical road use. This is an excellent application for aggressive street riders and occasional track days. Motorcyclists in North America will find the new Battlax BT-003RS available in the replacement market in 3 front-wheel sizes and 6 rear-wheel sizes from mid-2009. TIRE LINE UP FRONT REAR 110/70ZR17M/C (54W) 140/70ZR17M/C (66W) 120/60ZR17M/C (55W) 150/60ZR17M/C (66W) 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) 160/60ZR17M/C (69W) 180/55ZR17M/C (73W) 190/50ZR17M/C (73W) 190/55ZR17M/C (75W) About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations: Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company’s Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.