NHRA: K and N Filters to sponsor NHRA Bike Clash

    LAS VEGAS (Oct. 31, 2001) -- The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) 
announced today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show at 
the Las Vegas Convention Center that K & N Engineering has signed a 
multi-year agreement to become the title sponsor for a lucrative 
race-within-a-race bonus program for Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors. 
    The K & N Filters Pro Bike Clash will be contested during the prestigious 
Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, Ind., with 
television coverage provided by ESPN2. 
  Riders started earning points for the 2002 K & N Filters Pro Bike Clash at 
the 2001 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. The eight riders accumulating the most 
qualifying points during the K & N Filters Pro Bike Clash series, which 
concludes at the 2002 Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals at Brainerd 
(Minn.) International Raceway, will earn a berth in the K & N Filters Pro 
Bike Clash.
    "K & N Engineering's motorcycle heritage runs deep -- that's why we're 
proud to become the title sponsor of the K & N Filters Pro Bike Clash, one of 
NHRA's most exciting race-within-a-race bonus programs," said Rodney Mall, 
president and CEO of   K & N Engineering. "Some of the most competitive 
racing at NHRA events is conducted on two wheels. We're looking forward to 
many thrilling photo finishes in the K & N Filters Pro Bike Clash."
    Riders will compete for a total purse of $50,000 in the K & N Filters Pro 
Bike Clash in 2002: $36,000 is available for the Clash, while $14,000 in 
bonuses are awarded to the quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifiers 
throughout the Clash series. In 2004,      K & N plans to expand the overall 
purse for the program, including a significant increase to the winner's 
share, making it the single richest race in Pro Stock Motorcycle history.
    In 2002, the K & N Filters Pro Bike Clash winner will receive $15,000. 
The runner-up will earn $5,000. The two semifinalists will earn $3,000 each. 
The four first round finishers will earn $2,500 apiece. Low qualifiers earn 
$1,000 at each of the 14 events in the K & N Filters Pro Bike Clash.
    The NHRA will award a $10,000 'double-up' bonus to any rider who can win 
the K & N Filters Pro Bike Clash and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. 
    The commitment increases K & N Engineering's presence in NHRA Drag 
Racing. The company also sponsors the K & N Filters Winternationals, held 
Feb. 7-10 at historic Pomona (Calif.) Raceway, the season-opening event for 
the 2002 NHRA Drag Racing Series. In addition, K & N is also providing team 
sponsorship in 2002 for Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Steve Johnson and Funny 
Car driver Al Hofmann, whose car is owned by Jim Dunn.
    "This is absolutely one of the key attractions for our Pro Stock 
Motorcycle community, an event each rider looks forward to with great 
anticipation," said Tom Compton, NHRA president. "With K & N Engineering's 
support of this competitive bonus program, we're guaranteed many more 
thrilling side-by-side races in the future. The K & N Filters Pro Bike Clash 
definitely adds a certain level of drama and intrigue to the Mac Tools U.S. 
Nationals and provides the best showcase in the world of professional 
motorcycle drag racing." 
    K & N Engineering, Inc., with headquarters in Riverside, Calif., has been 
the innovative leader in air filter technology since 1963, serving the needs 
of the automotive, motorcycle, marine, industrial and military markets. K & N 
equips about 80 percent of all off-road racing vehicles and dominates the 
world of Formula One, as nine of 12 teams currently use K & N air filters.
    Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning 
body for the sport of drag racing in the United States.  It presents 24 
national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.  The NHRA has 
more than 80,000 members nationwide and more than 140 member tracks.  The 
NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition 
opportunities for drivers of all levels.  The NHRA develops the stars of 
tomorrow by offering the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit 
Import Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Street 
Legal Program.  The NHRA also offers the NHRA Castrol GTX Jr. Drag Racing 
League for youths ages 8 to 17.