The new 54-inch Baja Claw TTC is an ultra aggressive off-road performance tire with an advanced bias belted construction specially designed for rugged off-road use including rock crawling, mud, snow, sand, dirt and gravel.

Although there is some resemblance, the Baja Claw TTC is a complete redesign of the original Baja Claw with many added features. It is the first tire with directional SideBiters and it has features like deep shoulder lugs and integrated concave blades to disperse mud and maintain maximum performance. It also features Mickey Thompson’s T5 compound making it extremely durable and cut resistant. De-coupling elements and multi-angle siping were added to provide maximum traction on smooth rock surfaces.

The new 19.5/54-20LT Baja Claw TTC (part #2828) weighs in at 201 pounds, and has an inflated tire diameter of 53.8 inches with 26/32nds of tread depth. The Baja Claw TTC is scheduled to be available for sale in the third quarter of 2009, and was tested by two teams at the 17th annual Top Truck Challenge in Hollister, Calif., June 9-11, 2009, with excellent results. This annual event, produced by Four Wheeler magazine, sets the bar for off-road obstacle courses.

“We had two Top Truck Challenge competitors that tested our all new Baja Claw TTC at the 2009 event,” said Ken Warner, VP Sales and Marketing, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. “Our participation in the Top Truck Challenge the past four years has given us the experience needed to develop this new tire. There is no substitute for the kind of extreme conditions that the Top Truck Challenge provides, and it was incredible to see these tires perform.”

Brett Jerome from Blue Springs, Mo., and Leroy Latham from Golconda, Nev., finished first and second in the final event of the Top Truck Challenge known as the Tank Trap. Both competitors were using the new 54-inch Baja Claw TTC tires and Brett set a new record time of six minutes, eight seconds. Normally a mild-mannered climb up a canyon, the Four Wheeler team adds close to a million gallons of water! Standing about a quarter-mile high and gaining nearly 200 feet of altitude, the Tank Trap is a formidable challenge for man, machine and tire.

“The tires are awesome and are by far the best big tires on the market,” said Brett Jerome, Tank Trap record holder. “Just for fun, we went back and ran the Tank Trap three times after the event and one time in reverse. Those tires are awesome!”

About Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels designs, develops, and markets racing and high-performance tires for drag-racing cars and motorcycles, modified street cars, off-road race vehicles, modified pick-up trucks, Jeeps, 4x4’s and sport utility vehicles. The company, founded in 1963 by racing legend Mickey Thompson, is headquartered in Stow, Ohio, USA, and offers a wide range of tires and wheels in unique sizes to enhance the look and performance of these specialty high-performance and racing vehicles. For more information, visit http:/www.mickeythompsontires.com/.