Ford Racing Technology to Offer Contingency Program During 2002 Trans-Am Campaign

CLEARWATER, Fla. (April 24, 2002) - Ford Motor Company and the Trans-Am Series have entered into an agreement making Ford Racing Technology a contingency sponsor of all 12 events during the 2002 Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Tires Cup season.
The agreement calls for Ford Racing Technology to pay a contingency award of $5,000 to any driver who wins an event while driving a Ford Mustang Cobra powered by a Ford engine during the 2002 Trans-Am Series campaign. Qualifying drivers must carry appropriate Ford signage and graphics on both their cars and uniforms, and must mention Ford or Ford Mustang Cobra during any post-race interview.
"Ford's 99 Trans-Am race victories and eight Manufacturers' Championships make them a cornerstone of the success that the Trans-Am Series has enjoyed since its inception," said Dennis Huth, Trans-Am president. "We appreciate their participation as a contingency sponsor during the 2002 Trans-Am Series season."
Ford holds Trans-Am Series records for consecutive race victories (15, 1998-99) and consecutive victories in a single season (13 in 1997 and '99). A Ford-powered driver has won at least one event in every Trans-Am season since 1992.
Veteran Greg Pickett (#6 CytoSport Product Cytomax Ford Mustang) recorded Ford's top finish, fourth, in the 2002 Trans-Am Series season opener on April 14 at Long Beach, Calif.
The Trans-Am Series, sanctioned by Englewood, Colorado-based Sports Car Club of America Pro Racing, is the longest-running road racing series in North America, entering its 37th year of competition in 2002. Defending and three-time series champion Paul Gentilozzi will be looking to claim his fourth title against a strong field of rivals including former champion Brian Simo, Johnny Miller, Lou Gigliotti, Michael Lewis, 2001 AmeriSuites Rookie of the Year Justin Bell and 2002 Rookie of the Year candidate Butch Leitzinger. Three of the Trans-Am's mid-season events will be televised nationally by CBS Sports, while the others will be carried by SPEED Channel on either a live or tape-delayed basis. All Trans-Am drivers compete for the prestigious BFGoodrich Tires Cup, emblematic of the series driving championship.