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Batman vs. the Joker - Showdown at Charlotte

24 August 1998

Batman vs. the Joker - Showdown at Charlotte: Ford Credit Customers Get in on the Action

    BRISTOL, Tenn., Aug. 22 -- Ford Credit, the world's largest
company dedicated to automotive finance, is conducting a special "Batman vs.
The Joker, Showdown at Charlotte" consumer promotion leading up to the UAW-GM
Quality 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 4.
    The centerpiece of Ford Credit's Showdown at Charlotte consumer
sweepstakes is a motorsports first -- cars painted with Batman and The Joker
characters joining the NASCAR circuit.  As part of the joint promotion with DC
Comics/Action Performance, Dale Jarrett's #88 Quality Care Service/Ford Credit
Taurus gets a special paint job with a Batman theme for the Charlotte Winston
Cup race, while teammate Kenny Irwin's #28 Texaco/Havoline Taurus carries the
Joker theme.
    "The synergy involved makes this whole promotion very special, and it's
breaking new ground in racing sponsorship and marketing," said Brian Turnbull,
Ford Credit brand manager. "We have Warner Bros./ DC Comics, Action
Performance and Robert Yates Racing, Ford Credit, Quality Care and
Texaco/Havoline all using this as a valuable marketing opportunity.  It will
bring some added exciting entertainment for the fans, give us incentive
programs for our branches, and of course several lucky Ford Credit customers
will have the thrill of winning a trip to the race."
    The Showdown at Charlotte sweepstakes will award five trips for two to
Charlotte, including three nights of accommodation, two days at Charlotte
Motor Speedway and participation in the Batman/Joker activities at the track.
    The sweepstakes is running from July 25 through September 12 at Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealerships nationwide.
    Ford Credit, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company ,
provides financing for 11,400 automotive dealers and more than eight million
retail customers in 36 countries.