Jim Epler to Head Up Saturn Motorsports of San Diego Program

For Immediate Release - August 14th, 2002
Contact:  Susan Epler
Office:  480-460-4371     Fax:  480-460-7461
E-mail:  susanepler@aol.com

Jim Epler to Head up Saturn Motorsports of San Diego Program

San Diego, CA - Saturn Retailers of San Diego General Manager, Laird Mooney, 
today announced the appointment of former NHRA funny car driver, Jim Epler, 
as the new Director of Motorsports for Saturn Motorsports of San Diego's 
Sport Compact Racing and Specialty Components Division.  
Epler will spearhead the development of a full line of high-performance 
after-market products, ground effect kits and cosmetic products for Saturn 
and other GM vehicles. In addition, Epler will be in charge of furthering the 
development of the newly formed Saturn Motorsports of San Diego Race Team, 
which will consist of multiple Sport Compact entries.  Tentative plans for 
2004 also include a Jim Epler Drag Racing School.    
Epler brings 25 years of racing experience in motocross, drag bikes, drag 
boats, alcohol funny car and nitro funny car to Saturn and is excited about a 
new phase of racing.  "I don't think we've seen this much passion about cars 
since the 50's and 60's and it can be directly attributed to the explosive 
interest in sport compact racing and import drag racing."  Epler further 
noted, "There's a whole new generation of customers entering sport compact 
racing and many others really into customizing their cars in a big way.  Our 
product development will focus entirely on that market."  
Epler is also looking forward to working with his new motorsports team, Wes 
Carter, Kris Callier, Mike Galanos, Tyler Robles, Andre Budaj, Mike Kounts 
and Jimmy Allmon, who hope to bring Saturn to the winner's circle soon.  
While Saturn has yet to be recognized as a forerunner in racing, Epler states 
that's about to change.  "GM has debuted their new 4-cylinder Ecotec engine 
and it's heralded to be as evolutionary in 2002 as the 265 V-8 was in 1955.   
The mild tune-up makes 600 hp with the hot rod motor capable of 750 hp so 
we're pretty excited to take delivery of these engines and know we'll see 
some major leaps in performance from our Saturn Team."  The team plans to 
compete for championships in four different categories in 2003.
Saturn Retailers of San Diego have six stores in the greater San Diego area 
with the motorsports division currently headquartered in the Kearny Mesa 
dealership.

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