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NPEP Success Story: Bridgestone Americas Motorsports
Bridgestone Americas Motorsports Eliminates 2,240 Pounds of Lead by Replacing Wheel Weights
Bridgestone Americas Motorsports – Firestone Racing, a division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, is based in Akron, Ohio, and its Firestone brand is the Official Tire of the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As such, Firestone Racing is the sole tire supplier to the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights. The IndyCar Series races on a combination of superspeedways, short ovals, scenic road courses and temporary street circuits – the most diverse schedule in motorsports. The open-wheel, single seat cars can reach speeds over 220 mph, and the series’ focus is on expanding the technology barrier. Thousands of fans watching the IndyCar Series races at home or at the track on any given race weekend will see sophisticated technology on display that can eventually make its way into passenger cars.
Firestone Racing’s NPEP Goal
Firestone Racing’s NPEP Goal was to replace approximately 2,240 lbs of lead per year from lead wheel weights by substituting the non-toxic 3M Wheel Weight System. During calendar year 2008, Firestone Racing met its NPEP goal for a complete transition from lead wheel weights to the 3M Wheel Weight System in all of its IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights operations. Wheel weights are applied to the wheels of race cars when tires are mounted to help the wheels balance properly and run smoothly under extreme racing conditions. Firestone Racing balances all wheels to within one-tenth of an ounce.
NPEP Project Implementation
In May 2008, Firestone Racing completely eliminated the use of lead wheel weights and transitioned to the 3M Wheel Weight System in all of its IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights operations moving forward.
Additional Activities
In addition to eliminating approximately 2,240 lbs of lead wheel weights per year through product substitution, Firestone Racing has taken the program a step further. Firestone Racing collects and properly recycles used 3M Wheel Weight System weights from all IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights race teams. Firestone Racing began this recycling program at the beginning of the 2009 racing season (April) and has recycled 524 pounds of 3M Wheel Weight System since that time. The used weights are returned to 3M, which in turn recycles them into new weights.