NHRA NEWS: GATES CORPORATION NAMED OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF NHRA XPLOD SPORT COMPACT RACING SERIES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: NHRA Communications Dept., (626) 914-4761 GATES CORPORATION NAMED OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF NHRA XPLÔD SPORT COMPACT RACING SERIES GLENDORA, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2006) – NHRA officials announced today a long term agreement with Gates Corporation as the official automotive belts and hoses supplier of the NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series, and sponsor of the Gates NHRA Top Qualifier Award. As sponsor of the Gates NHRA Top Qualifier Award, Gates will recognize top qualifiers in all pro categories (Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Modified, Hot Rod, and Honda Tuning All Motor) and the Sport RWD and Urbanracer.com Sport FWD sportsman categories. The top qualifiers at each NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series national event will receive a monetary award ($250 – Pro RWD and Pro FWD; $200 – Modified; $150 – Hot Rod and Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor; $100 – Sport RWD and Urbanracer.com Sport FWD) and recognition during the opening ceremonies at each NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series event. “We are excited to have Gates Corporation as an official sponsor and sponsor of the top qualifier award,” said Josh Peterson, general manager of the NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series. “Gates’ recognition of the top qualifiers from each event rewards teams for their efforts during qualifying.” In order to be eligible for the Gates NHRA Top Qualifier Award drivers will be required to display Gates NHRA Top Qualifier decals on both sides of their car. “Gates Corporation is thrilled to expand our sponsorship to the fast-action world of sport compact racing,” said Meg VanderLaan, vice president, corporate public relations and business development, Gates Corporation. “This new sponsorship creates opportunity for our customers and employees to experience this ever-growing and exciting motorsport.” Gates Corporation is the largest non-tire rubber manufacturer of automotive and industrial products, systems and components in North America. Gates maintains sales and marketing operations in every major automotive market, including North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. Gates is part of the Industrial and Automotive Group of Tomkins plc. Headquartered in London, Tomkins is a publicly traded company (NYSE) with 37,000 employees worldwide. The NHRA is the premier sanctioning body for sport compact drag racing. It is presenting the 11-race, $2.5 million NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series at 10 tracks across the country from March through October. The series features the largest guaranteed sport compact event purse of more than $27,000 paid out per event. In addition, the series offers a year-end championship fund of $144,000, along with more than $2.1 million in contingency payouts. The series is highlighted by its five championship classes (Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Modified, Hot Rod and Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor). In addition, the series promotes the grass-root racer with the Regional Sportsman Championships for those competing in Urbanracer.com Sport FWD, Sport RWD, BFGoodrich Tires Street Stock and Quick 16 classes. Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series’ provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Drags presented by AAA. The NHRA also offers the O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17. -30- Brian Hacker Media Relations Manager, NHRA (626) 250-2424 (626) 428-0280, cell (626) 914-1491, fax