Johnson Controls, Michelin Team Up in Michelin One Lap of America Race
17 May 1999
Johnson Controls, Michelin Team Up in Michelin One Lap of America Race With Car Featuring Advanced, Tire-pressure Monitoring System
Vehicle equipped with Johnson Controls' PSI(TM) System
Has a Strategic Advantage on Roads and Race Tracks
PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 14 -- Johnson Controls and
Michelin are joining forces to sponsor a race team in the 16th annual Michelin
One Lap of America set to begin this weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The two-
person team will be driving a Ford Mustang SVT Cobra equipped with Johnson
Controls' PSI(TM) -- an advanced, tire-pressure monitoring system -- and
Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 high-performance tires.
Johnson Controls is a leading, global supplier of automotive interior
systems. Michelin North America is a major producer of tires for cars and
trucks, construction equipment, airplanes, and space shuttles.
The 1999 One Lap of America race -- which begins May 16 in Ann Arbor,
Michigan and ends there one week later -- consists of seven high-speed racing
events at some of the most famous tracks in America, and a 4,200-mile trip
through six states in between races. It's called "one of the most unique and
difficult events in motorsports," and challenges the skills of two-person race
teams and their vehicles.
"The grueling week of track racing and travel will be a great opportunity
to show our PSI product in 'real-world' and extreme conditions," said Michael
Suman, group vice president of advanced sales, marketing and development --
worldwide for Johnson Controls. "PSI is set to debut in several 2001 luxury
vehicles, and we're excited to be featuring it in a performance vehicle
application at the One Lap of America race."
PSI -- Pressure Safety Information -- is an innovative, tire-pressure
monitoring system developed by Johnson Controls that enhances vehicle safety,
tire performance and driver convenience. The PSI system includes a radio-
frequency transmitter in each tire, receiver circuitry and an in-vehicle
electronic display that signals a driver when pressure in any tire falls below
optimum levels. Loss of tire pressure is indicated with an audible signal and
an alert message on a visual display.
The combination of PSI and Michelin performance tires demonstrates the
importance of tire-pressure monitoring for vehicles on the road, and on the
race track. The application of this technology at the One Lap of America
competition demonstrates PSI's capabilities in real streets and highways. The
race car is equipped with standard Michelin tires rather than racing cars.
Handling the race track driving duties for the Johnson Controls/Michelin
team will be Terri Hundertmark, the leading female contender for the 1999 Skip
Barber Formula Dodge Eastern Series championship and formerly a top competitor
in the "jet ski" racing circuit. Last month, she was one of 16 drivers in the
first race of the Women's Global GT Series at Road Atlanta. Driving the trips
between race tracks and reporting daily will be Dale Jewett, automotive editor
for The Detroit News. The team is competing in the Sports GT2 class.
Participants in the Michelin One Lap of America will compete at seven
world-class racing venues in 15 events. Teams will travel across the country,
making stops at racing venues in Michigan (2), Kansas, Colorado, Texas,
Tennessee and Georgia. They will be on the road nearly 24 hours each day. When
traveling on public highways, drivers will be restricted to legal speed
limits. Awards will be given in 11 different classes, and for overall
achievement. The event benefits a number of charities, including Ronald
McDonald Children's Charities, The National Marrow Donor Program, Laps to
Conquer MS, and the Transplant Recipients International Organization.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls
employs more than 57,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide. In 1999, it will
supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles. The automotive
business achieved US$9.3 billion in sales for the 1998 fiscal year.
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major
supplier of seating and interior systems, and batteries. For nonresidential
facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services,
energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls
, founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its
sales for 1998 totaled US$12.6 billion.
/NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo of the PSI(TM) -- Pressure Safety Information
system can be obtained by calling David Roznowski at 734-254-5632, or by
visiting http://www.newscom.com./
/CONTACT: David Roznowski of Johnson Controls, 734-254-5632/
/Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 473547/