A reorganization of Firestone’s race tire development program was announced by Bridgestone Americas. The changes include the addition of Dan Peterman in the newly formed role as manager of race tire development/production, and the promotion of Cara Adams as chief engineer of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports and manager of race tire development.
Effective immediately, Peterman will oversee all aspects of race tire development and manufacturing. He has more than 25 years of manufacturing experience at a number of Bridgestone tire manufacturing facilities, most recently serving as plant engineer at Bridgestone’s passenger radial tire plant in Aiken, South Carolina. He will relocate to Akron, Ohio.
The current chief engineer and manager of race tire development, Dale Harrigle, will move to a management role within Bridgestone’s Consumer Tire Trade Group at the conclusion of the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season. Adams will transition into that role at that time. She currently serves as senior project engineer of race tire development.
“Dale is an innovator in the world of race tire design and he has been instrumental in the success of Firestone Racing for more than two decades,” said Lisa Boggs, director of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. “The program would not be where it is today without his expertise, leadership and sacrifice. Dan and Cara have demonstrated the knowledge, experience and leadership necessary to ensure a seamless transition and to continue our tradition of excellence.”
Adams began her career with Bridgestone in 2003 as an engineer in the tire/vehicle dynamics department. She joined the race tire development team in 2007, where she developed road and street course tires. She currently oversees the brand’s super- speedway tire development, including those used in the Indianapolis 500®. She also manages the race team’s Force and Moment testing program, working with teams and manufacturers to develop tire models used in race simulations.
“I’m honored to lead our engineering team in the future development of tires for Indy car racing and into the next chapter of Firestone Racing’s storied history,” Adams said. “Perhaps one of Dale’s biggest contributions to our sport is the expert team of engineers and chemists developed during his tenure.”
Harrigle joined race tire development team when the Firestone brand returned to open-wheel racing in 1994. He brings 22 years of tire development expertise to his new position where he will lead a team responsible for developing light truck, SUV and winter tires for the consumer tire replacement market.
“Throughout my entire career with Firestone Racing, I’ve had the privilege of working with many talented, dedicated and inspiring people in the world of motorsport, and I am honored to have been chosen to lead the great team at Firestone Race Tire Development for the past four years,” Harrigle said. “I am excited for a new challenge and to use my expertise in leading a team in the Consumer Tire Trade Group.”
