Nitto Tire continues title sponsorship of the King of the Hammers off-road race and announces 2016 Ultra4 driver lineup.

Cypress, Calif., Jan. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Fast Facts:

• Nitto Tire returns as the Title Sponsor of the 2016 King of the Hammers race.
• 2016 Team Nitto Ultra4 roster includes KOH winners and rising stars in off-road racing.
• Team drivers compete on the durable and race-proven Nitto Trail Grappler light truck tire.
• Get a behind the scenes look at what it takes to prepare for and race in the world's toughest off-road race in Nitto Tire's new video series, "Journey to the Hammers."

Nitto Tire U.S.A., a leading manufacturer of off-road and street performance tires, is returning as the title sponsor of the 2016 King of the Hammers (KOH) off-road race in Johnson Valley, California.  Nitto will be fielding one of the most competitive teams of drivers in the event, with four of its drivers having previously won the prestigious race, and will also be giving fans an exciting behind the scenes look at the race with its new "Journey to the Hammers" video series.

Now in its 10th year, the King of the Hammers event brings together the top off-road drivers in the United States to compete in a grueling single-day race that covers over 200 miles and combines 100+ mph desert running with highly technical boulder climbs.  For the past six years, Nitto Tire has become a dominant force at the King of the Hammers race thanks to its Trail Grappler light-truck tire.  The Trail Grappler, which is the same tire available to consumers at their local tire shops, has proven itself year after year to deliver an unrivaled level of durability and performance thanks to its thick three-ply sidewalls and large, aggressive tread blocks.

Nitto Tire's 2016 King of the Hammers and Ultra4 driver roster is replete with some of the most accomplished and respected drivers in the sport.  This year's roster includes two-time KOH champion Loren Healy, KOH winners Jason Scherer and Erik Miller, Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee and two-time KOH winner Shannon Camp­bell, and Mel Wade, as well as rising stars Jason Blanton, Derek West, Bailey Campbell, Wayland Campbell, and Bailey Cole, winner of the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame’s “2015 Rising Star Award.”

"Nitto is proud to be returning as the title sponsor of the King of the Hammers event as well as of the accomplishments of our Trail Grappler tires and our amazing team of drivers," said Chris Corbett, Nitto Tire U.S.A.'s Events and Motorsports Manager.  "For the past six years our drivers have been continually pushing the limits of our tires and have shown time and time again that the Trail Grappler will stand up to whatever punishment they can dish out."

This year, Nitto tire is also giving King of the Hammer fans the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes as the top drivers in the sport prepare for and race in the 2016 Nitto King of the Hammers.  "Journey to the Hammers" is a three-part documentary video series that debuted on Thursday, January 28th on Nitto's YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/nittochannel) and will give viewers a chance to experience the mental, physical, and emotional trials that are part of preparing for one of the most intense off-road races in the world.

For more information about the 2016 Nitto King of the Hammers powered by OPTIMA Batteries, please visit Ultra4Racing.com. To learn more about Nitto Tire, please visit Nitto on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NittoTire, on Twitter at @NittoTire, on YouTube at www.youtube.com/NittoChannel, or at www.nittotire.com.

About Nitto Tire                                                                         

Nitto Tire (www.nittotire.com) develops performance tires for all uses, including racing, off-road and street. Using state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing facilities in both Japan and the United States, Nitto provides innovative and high-quality performance tires for the most demanding automotive enthusiasts. For more information about Nitto or its products, visit the company's web site or contact the company directly.  Nitto is a registered trademark of Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., located at 5665 Plaza Drive, Ste. 250, Cypress, CA 90630.

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Jon Barrett – Kahn Media
818/881-5246 Jon@KahnMedia.com