The Goodyear Fortera Pistop Party

Rockwell was bathed in lights and sounds last Friday, October 18, when Goodyear held a "Pit Stop Party" at the open area of the Power Plant. The event was part of the activities that will culminate in the Final Leg of the 2002 Asian Formula Challenge, which will be held at the Subic International Circuit inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on October 27.

Sponsored by Prestige Cars, Inc. (Libis), BMW Philippines, Gillette, Northwest Airlines, Pepsi, Rudy Project, SBMA, Lancome, Armani Mania, Speedo, Odyssey, Wings, Geoff Simpson, Ambi Pure, Spinweb, Berocca, Rogin-E, Pulp, ABS-CBN, Music Video and The Philippine Star, the Pit Stop Party featured the launch of the Goodyear Fortera line of SUV tires. The tires are proudly made in the Philippines and are OEM equipment for the recently launched Ford Escape.

Goodyear Philippines Managing Director C.A. Ong welcomed the party goers and extolled the features of the Fortera, which he said is ideal for SUV owners who seldom venture off-road and wants the look but not the noise of off-road tires. He added that the Fortera is designed using Goodyear's Trinuum tire technology. He also raffled off some sets of Fortera tires to lucky guests. Goodyear's dynamic duo of Rene Silva and Rey Ibarra were going around to ensure that the guests enjoy the party.

The launch was followed by fashion parades by Speedo, Rudy Project and the Young Designers Guild of the Philippines. Goodyear's own marketing manager, Mica Ruiz walked the ramp and joined the fashion models to showcase casual and evening designer wear, while host Hans Montenegro also worked the boardwalk. Live entertainment was provided by the new boy band "Quatro", Aileen Sison and Guirana.

The party was also an occasion to meet the country's top Asian Formula 3 race drivers like newly-crowned Asian Formula Renault Champion Enzo Pastor of Team T.E.C., Pepon Marave of Shell Racing Team, Mark Goddard of Castrol-Team Goddard, Richard Joson of Denso JF3 Racing and Jojo Silverio of Casino Filipino Team Tom's Zed. The icing on the cake was made sweeter when the Miss AF3 candidates graced the party.

The Goodyear Fortera Pit Stop Party was a successful prelude to the "AF3 Weekend", which the organizers promise to continue the party-like atmosphere that will permeate the entire Subic Bay Freeport Zone from October 25 to 27. It also showed Goodyear's new aggressive marketing activities for its line of consumer tires. Expect more from Goodyear for it is indeed a very good year.