Firestone back as IndyCar tyre supplier

IndyCar has signed a two-year contract extension with Bridgestone Americas to keep its Firestone brand as its only tyre supplier, reversing the firm’s decision last week to end the deal.

IndyCar chief executive officer Randy Bernard announced the renewal yesterday after a week of talks with Bridgestone in the wake of a revolt by team owners forcing a return to talks with the tyre-maker after hope appeared dead.

The tyre-maker pulled out of Formula One in 2010 and even though it will now supply tyres through 2013, Firestone will still withdraw from IndyCar as a financial sponsor when that same contract expires after the 2011 season.

Firestone had been IndyCar’s tyre supplier since it was formed in 1996 and with its predecessor, ChampCar, for many years before that.