SME Brings NASCAR Champion Benny Parsons to Keynote at Indy for 2006 Manufacturing for Performance

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 6, 2005 -- Benny Parsons, a member of the International Motorsports Hall Fame and former NASCAR champion, comes to Indy as keynote speaker for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) launch of Manufacturing for Performance(TM), a new high-technology performance event at 8 a.m. - 9 a.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Ind. The conference and exhibits on January 23-25, 2006 offers motorsports manufacturers the latest technologies to improve performance, speed and safety, exciting new exhibits, a performance theater, and a full two-day technical conference. Tours are scheduled on January 23.

Parsons' humble beginnings included a stint as a taxi cab driver in Detroit, Mich. He has since become a legend in the motorsports world and was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Court of Legends at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1994.

His career highlights include capturing the 1973 NASCAR championship and winning the 1975 Daytona 500. Parsons retired in 1998 and has continued to be a major contributor to the motorsports world as a commentator and analyst on NASCAR racing telecasts. He won a NASCAR Emmy in 1996, and continues to host a nationally syndicated radio program, "Fast Talk with Benny Parsons," on the Performance Racing Network. Currently Parsons is NBC's lead color analyst for NASCAR broadcasts.

Manufacturing for Performance(TM) will connect manufacturers with the latest developments in aerodynamics, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, design, machining, prototyping, advanced fabrication, welding, measurement and testing, finishing and coating, sensors, aerospace technology transfer, and more. Participants will learn how to reduce cycle times, improve surface finishes, increase part repeatability and quality, and accelerate product development times.

All levels of motorsports manufacturing -- from one-man machine shops to race teams experimenting with state-of-the-art technologies -- will explore ideas for improved performance in a sport where speed is king. Racing engineers investigating advanced materials, prototypes and tooling for improved quality and safety will be able to speak with experts regarding engine building, components, safety and customization.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Sponsorship opportunities are available at very affordable prices for companies interested in gaining visibility, both on-site with hundreds of Manufacturing for Performance(TM) attendees, and through a communications program aimed at thousands of manufacturers involved in the motorsports industry.

For more information, click on "Sponsorship Opportunities" under http://www.sme.org/motorsports , or contact Anne Chapman at 313-425-3072.

To Register:

To register for Manufacturing for Performance, or for additional information, visit http://www.sme.org/motorsports , call the SME Resource Center at 800-733-4763, or (outside the US and Canada), 313-271-1500, Ext. 4500, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, Eastern Time; or Fax to 313-425-3401.

SME Certification:

SME has endorsed this activity for professional recertification credit(s) within the SME Certification Program. For more information, contact Customer Service at 800-733-4763 or training@sme.org

Friends and Sponsors:

Friends and sponsors include the Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure, State of Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) - Indiana Motorsports Development Initiative; Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Motorsport Industry Association; The Indy Partnership; Regional Economic Development Corporation; Chip Ganassi Racing, and Tony Stewart Racing. Manufacturing for Performance(TM) is supported by SME's Manufacturing Engineering magazine, a leading industry publication reaching over 100,000 manufacturing professionals who demand precision technology and performance applications.

About SME:

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is the world's leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up to date on leading trends and technologies. Headquartered in Michigan, SME influences more than half a million manufacturing engineers and executives annually. The Society has members in 70 countries and is supported by a network of hundreds of chapters worldwide. Visit us at http://www.sme.org .