| Hoosier Racing Tire | |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Industry: | Manufacturing |
| Founders: | Robert Newton Joyce Newton |
| Area Served: | Worldwide |
| Location: | Lakeville, Indiana, U.S. |
| Key People: | Joerg Burfien (President and CEO) |
| Products: | Tires |
| Parent: | Continental AG |
| Homepage: | hoosiertire.com |
Hoosier Racing Tire is an American subsidiary of Continental AG that primarily specialises in the production of tires for race competition use. Headquartered in Lakeville, Indiana, the company was founded in 1957. Hoosier employs nearly 500 people,[1] and has provided tires for use in series sanctioned by IHRA, NHRA, ARCA, CRA, NASCAR, IMCA, WISSOTA, SCCA, NASA, AIS, USAC, World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.[2] Hoosier makes tires aimed at both amateurs and professionals competing in a variety of disciplines including stock car racing, road racing, dirt track racing, drag racing, rallying, and more.
Hoosier Tire was purchased by Continental AG on October 4, 2016.[3] [4] The tire company was purchased for a total nearing $140 million. Following the purchase, 31year veteran John DeSalle was named president. Following DeSalle's retirement in 2020, Joerg Burfien was named president and CEO.[5] [6]
Hoosier Racing Tire was founded in 1957 in Lakeville, Indiana by stock car racer Robert Newton, and Joyce Newton. Newton wished to design a faster tire compound to gain an advantage against fellow racers. This was done by retreading street tires in order to obtain a compound that would adequately gain enough traction. Using an abandoned barn in South Bend, Indiana to start his business, he began sales to local racers. The Hoosier logo is colored after Newton's race car at the time which was purple.[7]
The founder of Hoosier Racing Tire, Robert Newton, died in 2012, aged 85, at his home in Lakeville, Indiana.[8] His wife and cofounder, Joyce Newton, died aged 85 on January 16, 2018.[9]
Continental Tire produces most motorsportrelated tires at the Plymouth, Indiana tire plant, carrying the Hoosier, Continental, and General Tire tire brands.