The United States Endurance Racing Association, Inc. announced today that KUMHO Tires is posting a contingency program for the USERA Spec Miata Endurance Championship totaling $20,500 for the 2006 Championship season.

The Contingency Program will pay based upon finishing positions of KUMHO-shod teams at each Championship event as follows:

1st - $700
2nd - $500
3rd - $300
4th - $200
5th - $100

In addition, a portion of the KUMHO Tires contingency will be allocated to a year-end Team Championship prize fund that will be awarded to the highest placed KUMHO teams as follows:

1st - $1500
2nd - $1000
3rd - $800
4th - $700
5th - $600
6th - $500
7th - $400
8th - $300
9th - $200
10th - $100

"We are pleased that KUMHO Tires will be participating in the new Spec Miata Endurance Championship as a contingency sponsor for our teams," said Ken Grammer, President of USERA. "We are looking forward to the added dimension that KUMHO will bring to the series."

Team contingency requirements can be found on the USERA web site at www.usenduro.com/points.html.

"We're glad to make the USERA Spec Miata Endurance Championship part of KUMHO's contingency program," said Rudy Consolacion, KUMHO's motorsports manager. 'In club racing, Miata drivers have enjoyed success on our tires for several years. In professional racing, KUMHO's tires have performed well at endurance races such as Sebring, Daytona and Le Mans. So it's only natural for KUMHO to support an endurance series for Miatas."

The first event of the USERA Spec Miata Endurance Championship is scheduled for March 25-26 at Carolina Motorsports Park.