FINDLAY, OHIO, JULY 24, 2008 –– Drivers and riders and tires are descending on Edmonton, Alberta, this weekend – oh my!

Starting Thursday, July 24, both the Professional Bull Riders Inc. (PBR) and the Cooper Tires presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda will be in Edmonton for two of the biggest events of their respective seasons. The one common denominator between the two competitions is Cooper Tire – the official tire and partner with each series, and the force behind the unofficial "choose your ride" theme of the weekend.

Because the events will be held within a couple miles of each other, enthusiasts can easily take in the excitement of both events. Here are a few fun facts for those fans looking for background on what they might see:

Horsepower versus bull power: Race car engines produce 300 horsepower at 8,000 rpm while eight of the top 50 PBR bulls have a 100 percent buckoff rating.

Safety first: For protection, race car drivers wear a fireproof suit and bull riders wear a protective vest that absorbs shock and guards the torso from the bull's hooves and horns.

Got gloves? Unlike the flame resistant versions worn by race car drivers, the PBR cowboys wear only one glove on the hand that grips the bull rope. The riders actually tape the glove to their hands, since the force of the bull and the friction of the rope could easily tear a glove off during a ride.

Don't mess with mass: 1,450 pounds of racing technology compared to a 1,500-pound four-legged beast.

Which way to steer? A bull rider's objective is to stay on for 8 seconds to achieve a score. Race car drivers compete to earn points as they steer around tight corners at speeds close to 175 mph.

Visit coopertire.com to locate a dealer near you to make sure you choose the right tires for your ride. More information on this weekend's events can be found at pbrnow.com and atlanticchampionship.com.

About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car, light truck, medium truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 10 countries around the world. For more information, visit Cooper Tire's web site at: www.coopertire.com.

COMPANY CONTACT: Michelle Zeisloft, 419-424-4251