PILLAR INNOVATIONS:

A dynamic mine requires dynamic support to stay on top of new technology. Pillar Innovations is a recognized leader in mine support, serving customers nationwide out of six state-of-the-art sales and service facilities. Throughout the company's history, Pillar has been a pioneer of many new technologies in the industry. The Pillar Innovations EMU will revolutionize the way you think about electric mine vehicles. The EMU is not a re-manufactured golf cart, it is a purpose-built utility vehicle designed to stand up to the rigors of everyday mine duty. From moving material to aiding in the transport of injured miners, the EMU is easily configured to handle a multitude of tasks. TireBalls are an intrical part of the EMU supporting the vehicles tire/wheel performance and the added safety as a run-flat. Flat tires undergound can be costly and in a lifesaving vehicles, mining companies cannot afford not to have a vehicle at the ready.

The patented Tire Ball® Air Inflation System is comprised of multiple individually inflated, cells that fill the vast majority of the space within a tire. The system offers virtual flat proofing, along with improved “ride” qualities such as: enhanced suspension, greater traction, better cornering, and quicker braking.

Almost a Decade ago TireBalls partnered with a legend in powersports named Chris Haines.  A distinguished off-road guru recognized globally not only for his racing prowess but his contribution to our War Fighters.  He had created and leads the pre-deployment off-road training for many special forces in the use of off-road machines.  Chris most recently was inducted in the Off Road Motorports Hall of Fame highlighting his over 40 years of racing success.  He is best known for his 4 time AMA Golden Wrench awards, his 13 Baja 1000 championships and continuing his Baja presence by coaching/managing 47 successful Baja 1000 teams.  Chris now spends the majority of his time devoted to his motorcycle adventure company in its' 27th year as the worlds #1 off-road tour operator.  Check him out at http://www.bajaoffroadtours.com/

 Andy Lagzdins first opened his DirtFirst Racing Shop in 1991 while racing quads in the GNCC series out east.  Over the years his experience and winning attitude starting paying off.  When TireBalls was first introduced in 2004 he jumped on board to get "the best performance from your tires."  Andy has been a multiple champion ever since.  He's raced and won not only in GNCC, but included many podium finishes in OMA, WORCS, SCORE Baja, BITD, NHHA, and many more series over the years.  Winning Pro ATV in OMA Nationals, SCORE Baja Series and now a consecutive AMA #1 plates in the National Hare and Hound Series he humbly credits TireBalls as an intrical part of his success.  Impressive resume may be an understatement.

Andy has taken his years of experience with TireBalls and has been the "go-to guy for anyone looking to get ahead using a great product to enhance their chances of differentiating themselves from the competition."  DirtFirst has distributed and serviced TireBalls for almost a decade and is a official West Coast Representative based in Burbank, CA.  His expance knowledge of racing and winning with TireBalls can be a great resource to the many that come to him for advice on set up configurations and to buy TireBalls outright.  Check out his website at www.dirtfirstracing.com. 

4.17.2013 – Crestwood Kentucky – The Tire Ball Company developed a multi-cell inflation system for powersports racing over a decade ago primarily for the harsh use in the Midwest terrain for motorcycles.  Soon, the concept grew quickly thanks to the rapid popularity of the GNCC Racing Series to include UTV and SxS’s with outstanding results.  Hundreds of podium finishes by champions propelled the global popularity of TireBalls.

Meanwhile, TireBalls racing success over the next decade was overshadowed by commercial and military applications which now consist of the majority of the business.  “The ongoing testing of the military product was also beneficial for enhancing racing performance, so when TireBalls was approached by Shannon Campbell of Ultra4/King of Hammers fame over a year ago it was a logical step,” according to Mark Harris, VP of Sales for TireBalls. 

Almost immediately after Shannon used the original prototype word spread and Bill Baird joined the TireBall family.  Bill’s new rig had TireBalls in place which he said was a contributing factor in his first Ultra4 win with two flat tires.  Still, the decision to release the product in the fall of 2012 was not an easy one.   “We were at a peak of our production of non-racing applications, and we were not sure if the product would take off since it wasn’t easy to install, they were not cheap, and the racing market was only slowly starting to build back up again,” reflected Harris.  Loren Healy said it best "Even when cursing installing TireBalls I still love them for how they let me drive harder." With some persistence from Shannon and Bill a limited production run was scheduled for December to support the King of Hammers.  With the announcement that TireBalls was committed; the first production run sold out in 36 hours.  “Shannon casually mentioned TireBalls and we received 10 phone calls that day,” Mark said.  The decision to do another limited production run in time for the KOH ran into similar success and the product sold out in 3 days. 

TireBalls success on the podium for Ultra4 is solely credited to the already proven partners that believed in the product and took it to the next level.  Mark said “We were destined to be successful with the resume of the competitors that used our product and they took it to the next level.”  Recognition has to go to some of the most prominent competitors within the extreme powersports racing community most have won the KOH since 2008.  Some of the teams that have taken TireBalls to the next pinnacle: Erik Miller, previous KOH winner and one of the initial teams to get TireBalls, Loren Healy, 2010 winner of KOH and of Cinco De Baja that same year with a podium win already this year, Jason Scherer (Scherererer) 2013 NorCal Stampede champion supported by Adam winning the ‘TireBall Challenge,’ Chicky Barton 2013 KOH podium finish despite 3 flats the last lap to name a few.   

Monthly production schedule is in place and have already shipped to the UK and Canada.  “Right on,” per Shannon Campbell.