OSRAM SYLVANIA Announces Agreement with New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) to Sponsor NASCAR Winston Cup New England 300 Race

DANVERS, Mass., Jan. 30 -- OSRAM SYLVANIA, one of the world's largest lighting companies, today announced a major agreement with the New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS), New England's largest sports facility. Terms of the five-year agreement call for the industry's innovation leader to provide sponsorship for the September Winston Cup Series race at NHIS. The internationally celebrated event will be named the SYLVANIA 300. New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson joined Charlie Jerabek, president and CEO of OSRAM SYLVANIA, and Bob Bahre, chairman of NHIS, in making the announcement. Representing the twenty-seventh of 36 Winston Cup Series races during the 2003 NASCAR schedule, the September race has historically been one of the highest rated NASCAR events on national television and routinely draws crowds of well over 100,000 at the speedway. "The SYLVANIA 300 helps propel the public perception of the SYLVANIA brand through the affiliation with the high speed, action packed sport of NASCAR racing. As America's fastest growing sport, NASCAR appeals to a broad cross section of the population that appreciates brand, quality and service," said Jerabek. "Throughout its over 100 year history in New England, OSRAM SYLVANIA has demonstrated a commitment to speed, agility and innovation at home, at work and in the car. Being first and maintaining that position is something that every NASCAR fan understands and something that SYLVANIA is striving to achieve," Jerabek added. Bahre said, "We're very pleased to have OSRAM SYLVANIA join us in bringing the excitement of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series to millions of race fans world-wide. OSRAM SYLVANIA is the leader in lighting technology, and a vital part of the New England business community. With their headquarters located in Danvers, Massachusetts and facilities throughout North America, OSRAM SYLVANIA provides jobs for thousands of people. We could not have asked for a better corporate partner." The sponsorship agreement with NHIS is the latest development in an expanding effort by OSRAM SYLVANIA to promote the SYLVANIA brand. The company has an ongoing relationship with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Enterprises Inc. Through RCR, OSRAM SYLVANIA sponsors a number of NASCAR driving sensations. NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY (NHIS) is the largest sporting facility and the only superspeedway in New England. "The Magic Mile" currently hosts NASCAR Winston Cup Series races in July and September. Both races are the largest sporting events in New England with 101,000 guests in attendance at each race. NHIS consists of a 1.058 mile oval and 1.6 mile road course. The Speedway features racing sanctioned by NASCAR, Formula USA, the Championship Cup Series, Sports Car Club of America, and the World Karting Association.