Pontiac and Solstice Prompt High-Powered Transformation of Popular NHRA Announcer's Stable

(JPEG photo attached: Bob Frey (right), announcer for the NHRA, takes
delivery of his new Pontiac Solstice from Joe Arena Jr., of Arena
Buick-Pontiac-GMC, at the Atco Racetrack in Atco, New Jersey on Tuesday,
March 14, 2006. (General Motors/Emile Wamsteker))

 

Pontiac and Solstice Prompt High-Powered Transformation

of Popular NHRA Announcer's Stable

 

In his position as the lead announcer and master of ceremonies for the
National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Bob Frey is often surrounded by a
variety of exotic, high-performance vehicles.  From an 8,000-horsepower,
330-mph Top Fuel dragster to a ten-second, street-driven Stocker, on any
given weekend the New Jersey native can be found at a racetrack
entertaining and informing the fans in attendance and on the Internet of
the intricacies involved in the sport of drag racing.

 

Until recently, however, Frey's high-profile, high-speed involvement
with the world's fastest motorsport did not extend to his own driveway;
for years, the self-described "skinny, geeky, bald-headed guy" extolled
the virtues of his 1978 Aspen.  This all changed in 2004 when his wife
was in the market for a new car, and he spotted a new supercharged
Pontiac Grand Prix in the manufacturer's midway display at an NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series event.  

 

An order was soon placed, and within a few weeks, the transformation had
begun with the delivery of the new car at the Pontiac Excitement NHRA
Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.  The arrival of the powerful V-8 Grand Prix
GXP one year later prompted another upgrade in the Frey stable after it,
too, was spotted on display at the track.

 

"In all seriousness, I love supporting the companies that support the
NHRA," said Frey.  "As a result, I've had Pontiacs for the last several
years. It started with the supercharged Grand Prix in 2004, and
progressed to the front-wheel drive V-8 Grand Prix GXP we have today,
which is just a marvelous car.  

 

"The good thing about our current car is that not only do I like it, but
so does my wife.  After 38 years of marriage, that new GXP is the only
car she has ever commented on.  We have everything on it to please both
of us.  For example, my wife likes the doors in the back to put the
grandkids in, I like the V-8, and overall, we think it is just
beautiful.  I actually get stopped in parking lots by people wanting to
know more about it."

 

But Frey's evolution to a card-carrying member of the cool car brigade
had one more step to take. Last year's debut of the Pontiac Solstice
compelled him to do something he had never done, namely buy a car simply
for recreation. 

 

"I had never indulged myself with a really cool car," stated Frey.  "Of
course, I used to be kidded about my '78 Aspen, which was a car nobody
asked me about unless it was to ask me to move it away from in front of
their store.  Then I saw the Solstice at the Pontiac NHRA display and
thought it would definitely fit the bill.

 

"I talked to my wife, who pointed out that I had never done anything to
indulge myself, and she told me to go out and enjoy it.  So, I'm looking
forward to being a proud Solstice owner."

 

Sheathed in Aggressive (red) paint, his Solstice will come with a long
equipment list including leather seats; power windows, locks and
mirrors; an AM/FM radio with XM, CD player and MP3 capability; OnStar,
ABS braking system,  limited slip differential and 18-inch chrome
wheels.  With its 177-horsepower, 2.4-liter Ecotec engine mated to a
short-throw five-speed transmission, it will allow Frey to cruise
comfortably on the Garden State Parkway, while its four-wheel
independent suspension will help him navigate curvy back roads.  As the
Official Pace Car of the NHRA, it is a most appropriate vehicle for the
man many see as the voice of modern-day drag racing.  With a March 14
delivery date scheduled to be completed by Arena Buick-Pontiac-GMC at
the Atco Raceway in Atco, NJ, Frey says he is more than ready for the
experience.

 

"I've been fortunate to work with some of the fine people at General
Motors," Frey said. "It's really nice to be appreciated by them, just as
I am grateful for their efforts and what they mean to our sport."  

 

General Motors Corp. , the world's largest automaker, has been
the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today
employs about 327,000 people around the world.  With global headquarters
in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries.  In
2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the
following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden,
HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall.  GM operates one of
the world's leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which
offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance.
GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety,
security and information services.  More information on GM can be found
at www.gm.com <http://www.gm.com/> .

 

###

 

 

Contacts:

Kathleen Hamilton

GM Regional Communications

914-244-6058 (office)

914-815-3963 (mobile)

kathy.hamilton@gm.com

 

 

Shiny Qin

GM Regional Communications

914-244-6060 (office)

914-806-5857 (mobile)

shiny.qin@gm.com

 

 

Jon Knapp

TMG Sports Marketing

704-662-3121 (office)

704-906-4119 (mobile)

jgknapp@tmgsports.net