NASCAR Sponsorship Adds Power to Arctic Cat Promotion; Provides Exclusive Rights to ATV Category For Three Years

    THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn.--June 12, 2001--Arctic Cat Inc. is combining an exclusive NASCAR sponsorship and multiple Winston Cup Series driver endorsements to market its all-terrain vehicle (ATV) line. The agreement with NASCAR extends through 2004 and gives Arctic Cat exclusive rights to use the association logo and identity in promotions and on ATVs and related products. Ricky Rudd, a top-ranked Winston Cup driver, heads the list of drivers who will participate in Arctic Cat ATV promotions.
    "The racing affiliations are natural strategies for continuing to build our ATV success. Particularly because NASCAR racing is a growing sport in North America, where Arctic Cat's share of utility-class ATV sales has surpassed market shares held by some key competitors," said President and CEO Chris Twomey. "That's a significant achievement for having been in the ATV business for just six years. Arctic Cat is just becoming known in the South. Progress in those markets is a big reason that our year-to-year ATV sales growth has outpaced the category's healthy growth for six consecutive years."
    Arctic Cat said a line of NASCAR ATV clothing and accessories will be available through dealers nationwide. Planned consumer promotions include free tickets to attend the qualifying days at select Winston Cup races. Arctic Cat will also sponsor several of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series stock car events that take place across 36 states. Approximately 5 million fans attend NASCAR Weekly Racing events each season.
    Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and related parts, garments and accessories under the Arctic Cat brand name.