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BFGoodrich Tires Key To Victory in 2004 Paris-Dakar Rally
December 29, 2003 BFGoodrich® Tires is pursuing its 3rd straight victory in the Paris-Dakar rally, one of the most challenging rally races in the world. Baja 1000 Trophy-Truck champion and 2004 Paris-Dakar driver Mark Miller discusses the approaching race. 
Mark, you spent many years competing on two wheels. What made you change to four-wheel competition?Mark Miller: "I have achieved a lot on bikes and it was a natural progression to move to four wheels as you get more mature. Once you have a family, you start thinking about the risk factor and four wheels are definitely safer than two! I had raced buggies in Baja and I did everything I possibly could to get experience. In '98, I had just started racing on four wheels and while I knew I wanted to race in Dakar, doing the Atlas Rally with KTM was a great way to get a taster and understanding of the African-style rough terrain. I had a few mechanical problems, but I won one of the biggest stages, which was a real boost. My first chance to do Dakar in 2002 was excellent; winning my class and finishing 19th overall simply exceeded my expectations. This year I want to do that again and believe me I set my expectations high!" What is the most important aspect of a tire for Dakar? Mark Miller: "Tires are critical to the suspension set-up and with the amount of camel grass, rocks and generally rough conditions. BFGoodrich® Tires' 35-inch Baja T/As give me more suspension travel. They have a big sidewall that is softer, but also durable. With that you can be more disciplined and make a big plan of attack based on tire management. I know how to approach the rocks and camel grass and with these tires and I understand the pressures I need in the sand. BFGoodrich® Tires are winners - with the amount of testing I have done, I would hope my understanding of them is good enough to do them justice." 
How would you sum up Dakar?Mark Miller: "The size of the event is beyond comprehension until you have experienced it. It's indescribable. The biggest motorsport event ever with a spirit of competition unrivalled by anything else! Emotionally it is very draining and it's also tough psychologically, but this year is my first chance to make an impression. I have a strategy, I know my tactics and with over 30,000 miles of testing under my belt, I understand BFGoodrich® Tires. I'm also level-headed, know my limits, am realistic and these are all vital to get to the podium. And if someone's going to beat Mitsubishi it's going to be me!" 
BFGoodrich® Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle from ultra-high performance tuner vehicles, sports cars and SUVs to the hottest sport trucks, pickups and rock-crawling rigs in the world. For more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires has used motorsports as a proving ground.
Success on the street begins with winning on the track and BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, road, drag, desert and extreme rock-crawling. With 18 consecutive Baja 1000 wins, the most victories in rock-crawling history, and an unmatched record on pavement, BFGoodrich Tires has proven the only records it breaks are its own. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at: www.bfgoodrichtires.com.
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