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TRANS AM: Johnson Controls to sponsor BF Goodrich Tires 'Triple Challenge'

12 March 1999

ENGLEWOOD, Colo--Johnson Controls will be the event sponsor for three 1999 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series races, creating the "Johnson Controls Triple Challenge" and offering a $50,000 bonus to a driver who wins all three races. Johnson Controls will sponsor the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series races at Long Beach, as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 16-18; on Belle Isle, Mich., as part of the Tenneco Detroit Grand Prix, August 6-7; and at the West Michigan Grand Prix in Grand Rapids, Mich., August 27-29. Individually, each race will be known as the "Johnson Controls 100," a new title-sponsorship name for the Long Beach and Grand Rapids races, and the second year for the Johnson Controls 100 in Detroit.

"Johnson Controls is proud to be the event sponsor of the Long Beach, Detroit and Grand Rapids BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am races," said Rande Somma, President of Marketing and Development for Johnson Controls. "The people of Johnson Controls support racing because we have a passion for driving, a desire to win and a commitment to advancing automotive performance. These race sponsorships, in addition to the Triple Challenge bonus, will generate a great deal of additional excitement and exposure for both Johnson Controls and the Trans-Am Series."

In addition to the $50,000 bonus to the driver who wins all three races, Johnson Controls has also posted additional prize money if the three races dont produce a single winner. If different drivers win any of the three races, a $5,000 prize will awarded to the driver who scores the most total Drivers Championship points in the Johnson Controls Triple Challenge.

"Were pleased that Johnson Controls has expanded its 1998 Detroit event sponsorship to include three events and the Johnson Controls Triple Challenge for 1999," said Scott Rittinger, BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series General Manager. "These events are some of our most prestigious races of the season, and Johnson Controls sponsorship makes it possible for us to further enhance the significance of our presence at these venues."

In addition to the prize money up for grabs, Johnson Controls and SCCA Pro Racing will join forces to create additional marketing, promotional and publicity activities for the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am at the three Triple Challenge venues.

Johnson Controls, Inc., , headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., is No. 136 on the Fortune 500 Ranking (1998) with $12.6 billion in 1998 sales, employs more than 80,000 people and operates in more than 500 locations worldwide. The Plymouth, Mich.-based Automotive Systems Group of Johnson Controls is one of the worlds largest suppliers of vehicle interior systems, and is a major supplier of batteries. In 1999, the companys worldwide operations will supply interior products to more than 22 million vehicles.