Jim Russell Takes Performance Driving Program ''On the Road'' to Top Tracks Across the U.S.; Chris Morgan Joins Jim Russell to Launch Track Days

SONOMA, Calif.--March 10, 2004--Jim Russell Racing Drivers School is launching a series of Performance Track Days at top road racing tracks across the United States. Now, sports car enthusiasts can learn from Jim Russell's experts how to catapult their precision driving and road-racing skills to a new level, and do it at their favorite race track. Jim Russell created the racecar driving school industry more than 45 years ago and still leads that industry in racing instruction and on-track precision driving programs.

Performance Track Days are designed for the novice and seasoned racer alike, with elements of the program designed for each student based on experience level, skill set and desire. During the one-day course, students learn advanced driving and racing skills in their own performance automobiles. Each student receives one-on-one in-car instruction on how to improve driving style, with instructors showing him or her the racing line, braking zones, the way to get comfortable in the car and how to take seconds off timed laps. Performance Track Days are designed so that each student spends the maximum amount of time possible on the track, where the real learning happens, not in the classroom.

Each Track Day will be held on some the most challenging and renowned road-race tracks in the U.S. The presenting sponsors of the program are Yokohama Tires, The Tire Rack and Sparco.

Classes kick-off March 18 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., and continue through 2004 at tracks including Watkins Glen, Mid Ohio, Moroso Motorsports Park, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, California Speedway, Virginia International Raceway, Pikes Peak and Willow Springs, to mention a few. Other venues will be added throughout the year. For the most current track and course date schedule, please visit www.jimrussellusa.com or call 800-733-0345.

"For years we have been asked to bring our style of professional driving instruction to other racetracks," said Mark Wolocatiuk, chief instructor for Jim Russell. "Now we're giving people of all skill levels the chance to push the envelope in their performance cars under the guidance of some of the top racecar driving instructors in the country."

Chris Morgan joined Jim Russell to develop the performance driving business. Before joining Russell, Morgan was director of competition and operations at Irwindale Speedway near Los Angeles and also worked for NASCAR. He will oversee all Jim Russell's driving programs outside of the school's home base at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

"One of the biggest complaints people have when they buy a performance car is that they never have the chance to really open it up and find out what it can do," said Morgan. "Performance Track Days provide a safe, fun and challenging driving experience -- and best of all -- no speed limits."

Each Performance Track Day course ranges between $525 and $595.

Jim Russell instructors have trained numerous stand-out professional drivers, including Tony Stewart, Bill Elliot, Danny Sullivan, Jacques Villeneuve, Jimmy Vassar and Emerson Fittipaldi, among many others.

About Jim Russell Racing Drivers School

For more than four decades, the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School has been dedicated to teaching true racing techniques to professional drivers and people looking for the experience of a lifetime. The school offers professional auto racing instruction, more seat time and the most powerful, well-maintained race cars of any driving school. The school, based in Sonoma, Calif., is located at Infineon Raceway (formerly Sears Point Raceway), known as the best teaching track in the country. www.jimrussellusa.com