Wed, 28 Nov 2001, 01:25 PM Federal-Mogul Redirects Sponsorship of NHRA Sportsman Series

Courtesy of Federal-Mogul Commitment To Racers Continues

•  Series sponsorship status to change
•  Company to boost low-qualifier and contingency program for next season
•  Sportsman series now at strongest point in its history

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. --Federal-Mogul Corporation (NYSE: FMO) will launch a 2002 initiative to increase direct support of National Hot Rod Association sportsman competitors through multiple contingency purses and an expanded low-qualifier award program. As part of this new strategic involvement in NHRA competition, the company will exit its title sponsorship of the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

Federal-Mogul’s direct support of sportsman drivers and teams will include an increased Sealed Power Low-Qualifier Award prize purse at all 42 NHRA divisional events in 2002, as well as significant contingency award packages in support of the company’s Speed-Pro engine parts and Fel-Pro gaskets brands.

The company’s Sealed Power engine parts brand, which last year became the first “official brand” of NHRA within the engine parts category, will maintain that status in 2002.

“It was clear back in 1997 when we launched the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series that sportsman racers needed more than a sponsor – they needed a proactive marketing partner,” said Ann Skrycki-Mohler, marketing services manager for Federal-Mogul. “We’re very pleased to continue in that role in 2002 through a variety of programs that focus on our industry-leading brands and directly benefit the more than 36,000 competitors in the sportsman racing categories.”

In 1997, when Federal-Mogul assumed title sponsorship of the NHRA series – which covers all divisional and national competition in the sport’s eight largest racing categories – the company increased year-end championship prize purses by more than 50 percent. Federal-Mogul again increased championship purses in 2000 and introduced the Sealed Power Low-Qualifier Award, which pays cash prizes to the low-qualifiers in five racing categories at each event.

“We’re pleased about the new opportunities for sportsman racing through our marketing partnership with Federal-Mogul and its leading brands of underhood components,” said NHRA President Tom Compton. “The NHRA sportsman series is in a stronger position, both from a competitive and sponsorship perspective, than any time in its history. Soon, we will introduce a new divisional series sponsor who will help carry this growth forward and continue to build upon the foundation started by Federal-Mogul.”

Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, Federal-Mogul Corporation (NYSE: FMO) is an automotive parts manufacturer providing innovative solutions and systems to global customers in the automotive, small engine, heavy-duty and industrial markets. The company was founded in 1899. Visit the company’s Web site at http://www.federal-mogul.com for more information.