Johnson Controls Announces Sponsorship of Rocketsports Racing for 2003 CART Season

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Nov. 22, 2002 -- Officials at Johnson Controls today announced the company's sponsorship of Lansing, Michigan-based Rocketsports Racing's participation in the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford. The announcement was made by Rocketsports Racing team owner Paul Gentilozzi and Bob Ellis, vice president of marketing and communications for Johnson Controls.

The 2003 racing season marks Johnson Controls' sixth year of sponsorship with Rocketsports Racing. From 1998 to 2002, the company sponsored Gentilozzi in the Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Tires Cup. During that period, he won three drivers' championships. Gentilozzi will oversee the formation and development of the new CART effort, but will no longer compete as a full-time driver. The team's driver for 2003 will be announced later.

New to the CART series in 2003, Rocketsports Racing has traditionally built and campaigned championship production-based seasons in a variety of series. The team has collected four drivers' championships, scored 55 victories and played a major role in delivering numerous manufacturers' titles. The CART series is North America's top open-wheel series, which competes on a combination of road and street circuits, as well as ovals.

"The time has come to raise our level of motorsport participation to continue to grow as a team and expand the business opportunities for our valued marketing partner, Johnson Controls," explained Gentilozzi. "As a major automotive interior supplier, the CART series is the most appropriate arena in American motorsports for a company like Johnson Controls. We look forward to continuing our productive relationship as we move together in this new direction."

"Johnson Controls and our business partners are proud to extend our association with Paul Gentilozzi and Rocketsports Racing as we join the CART series," said Ellis. "We have been working closely with Rocketsports for five years, and are excited as we move into this new category of racing together. The CART series delivers competitive motorsports action for both our customers and the employees from all divisions of Johnson Controls throughout the world."

Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of integrated seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non- residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services including comfort, energy and security management. Johnson Controls , founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.