AKRON, Ohio, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Some "well-oiled machines" will be competing for the United States in the Dunlop Drivers Cup World Finals from April 14-24. In this case, the "machines" won't be lubricated sports cars, all-terrain vehicles or off-road motorcycles. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070328/CLW129 ) Rather, the "finely tuned" are Lee A.G. Clark, of Topanga, Calif.; Kevin Clarke, of Fryeburg, Maine; Dave Furchak, of Romulus, Mich.; and Egon Szenttamasy, of Pembroke Pines, Fla. They say they're prepared to compete at the highest level for a grueling 10-day driving challenge from Hanau, Germany, to Malaga, Spain. Each says they're training hard - albeit each in his own way - to compete against Europe's best drivers. For example, Clark is adding five sessions a week of cardiovascular workouts to his "usual fix of weekend (rock) climbing." Climbing, Clark said, helps build stamina, patience and mental focus, factors that translate into improved driving skills. The British climber also is experienced in rally racing. "I've rallied everything from BMW M3s to Porsche 911s, but my favorite was an Audi A2 Quattro, originally driven by Finnish rally legend Hannu Mikkola, that I used for a season in the early 1990s. It snarled, growled and belched flames, spinning all four wheels when exiting muddy forest corners." The 43-year-old Clark said he was "brought up driving fast - in all conditions, on all roads, in just about every car out there." He'll get his chance. Dunlop Drivers Cup includes on-track racing, autocross, off-road sport utility, off-road all-terrain vehicle and motocross events that will test the skills of even the hardest-core driving enthusiast. The California management consultant said he's watched videos of RaceResortAscari in Ronda, Spain, and has the track memorized. The historic track hosts the final competitive leg of Drivers Cup. Clark's teammate Kevin Clarke is coaching the Fryeburg (Maine) Academy alpine ski team and "running gates along with my high school athletes." The former professional skier with long ties to Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire says skiing gives him "a ski up" in driving fast. "Ski racing and motorsports are more alike than people realize. In both, you have to 'find the line,' use the apex as your turning point. You have to be smooth, clean, ahead of the game. "Lee and I make a great team. His rally skills and my on-track background really complement each other. I think we have a great shot at the overall win," the 50-year-old Clarke said. Besides razor-sharp response skills, the teams for the United States, Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands will require endurance and stamina. That's right up Furchak's alley. The Michigan marathoner has been running, biking and lifting weights to build endurance. "As an endurance athlete, I feel I have the stamina to attack every part of a 10-day 'motorfest' event. I also love to drive absolutely everything," the 27-year-old Furchak said. Since he qualified last September at Virginia International Raceway, Furchak said his life has changed, "Now I look at my day and think, 'How can I use this day to get faster?'" He also has a passion for driving anything with wheels and an engine. Florida's Szenttamasy, 38, says his passion involves this race across Europe. Although the Brazilian seemingly has "done it all" - he's a surfer, scuba diver, paraglider, sailor, rally driver, white water rafter, cave explorer, Amazon jungle survivor and motocrosser - the opportunity to race on some of southern Europe's most famous racetracks "will be an amazing experience." The footwear executive has been mountain biking and jogging to build endurance. "Once I'm physically prepared, my mind can focus on going fast," he said. And then, there's his family lineage. He's Brazilian and proud of it. Racing, he said, is in his blood. He began racing at a young age. The four amateur drivers will be joined by Billy Link, a Discount Tire Co. store manager in Houston, and Todd Eagan, of Costa Mesa, Calif., a writer for Sport Compact Car magazine. Janice Consolacion, brand planning manager for Dunlop North America, said the World Finals present several challenges for the six automotive enthusiasts who will represent Dunlop USA. "Endurance and the ability to focus mentally on each driving event will determine each team's success." Last year, two U.S. consumer teams placed a respectable eighth and 14th , the first time Dunlop USA has participated in the drivers' challenge. Two Germans led the celebration of driving in a come-from-behind win over a Netherlands team. Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts. Well known for its prestigious original-equipment fitments and sports car racing heritage, Dunlop is also a key supplier to sport compact enthusiasts featuring "tuner" tire sizes and race series sponsorships. On a related front, amateur drivers, who are at least 21 and have a valid driver's license, can apply for a spot at September's U.S. Regional competition at http://www.dunloptire.com/driverscup/. Deadline for applying is July 15, 2007. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070328/CLW129 http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Dunlop Tires CONTACT: Dave Wilkins of Dunlop Tires, +1-330-796-3758, dfwilkins@goodyear Web site: http://www.goodyear.com/ http://www.dunloptire.com/driverscup

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