McLaren sponsored Neon Wins Class in One Lap of America Competition

26 May 1999

McLaren Automotive Group-sponsored Neon Wins Class in 16th Running of One Lap of America Competition

    DETROIT--May 26, 1999--The 16th running of the One Lap of America(TM) competition (a combination of 4,300 highway miles and high-speed time trials at race tracks around the country) was completed Saturday, May 22, and it's OFFICIAL, a Dodge Neon, sponsored by McLaren Automotive Group , had won its class, and finished 43rd overall out of 102 teams, competing against Corvettes, Mustangs, Vipers, Jaguars, and other high-performance cars.
    The vehicle was a 1997 Dodge Neon SOHC, equipped with the ASHA Technologies/New Venture Gear Progressive GERODISC(TM) coupling. The ASHA/NVG differential allowed drivers Dale Seely and Alan Smith to fully utilize all of the Neon's 230 peak horsepower. The increased handling, performance, and safety provided by the GERODISC(TM) was to show itself throughout the competition.
    The seven track events began May 15 at the Michigan International Speedway and ended May 22 at Waterford Hills, Michigan. Each entry was required to drive from racetrack to racetrack on public highways, arriving in time to race in their qualifying laps. The seven courses were Michigan International Speedway, Heartland Park (Topeka, Kansas), Pikes Peak International (Colorado), Texas World Speedway, Memphis Motorsports Complex (Tennessee), Road Atlanta (Georgia), and Waterford Hills (Michigan).
    Results for the sponsored car were impressive:



--   First in Class (Economy Sedan)
--   43rd Overall (on a rainy morning, we ran 7th overall)
--   Finished ahead of 66% of the Vipers, and 50% of the Porsches and
     Corvettes
--   The team was First in Class at every time trial and quarter-mile
     ET run

    At the conclusion of the event, The co-drivers had these comments:
    "The GERODISC-equipped Neon performed flawlessly throughout the 24-hour a day, seven day event. After a strong showing at the Michigan International Speedway course, a close call with a tornado near the Iowa border tested the severe weather performance of our prototype GERODISC differential. The car remained stable and surefooted despite the high-speed winds, hail, and horizontal rain," recollected Dale Seely.
    Alan Smith called out that, "The dry tracks at Pikes Peak, Texas, Memphis, and Road Atlanta showcased the enhanced handling of the McLaren Automotive Group Neon. The tight course at Waterford Hills, damp from a morning shower, allowed the Neon to really shine. Full-throttle application before the apexes, without wheel spin, made the difference here, with all the credit going to the GERODISC/NVG differential."
    For more information, and complete race details direct from One Lap of America(TM), you can visit their web sited at www.onelapofamerica.com. Winning driver Dale Seely may be emailed at dale@seely.com.
    On March 1, 1999 the Company was presented with the prestigious PACE (Premier Automotive Supplier Contribution to Excellence) Award in Detroit, and was honored as "Best of the Best" for its innovative GERODISC(TM) traction control system.
    McLaren Automotive Group, Inc. is the parent company of both ASHA Technologies and McLaren Engines, Inc. ASHA Technologies develops advanced technology products and automotive design and manufacturing techniques for the global automotive industry, and licenses its patented GERODISC(TM) systems. McLaren Engines, Inc. is a complete powertrain design, fabricating, and testing facility occupying 55,000 square feet of office and lab space in Detroit. During its thirty year record of service, McLaren Engines has serviced the research, development, and testing needs of more than one hundred clients, and is an ISO-9001 registered firm.
    McLaren Automotive Group stock is traded on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market .
    Visit ASHA Technologies on the Internet at www.ashacorp.com, and McLaren Engines, Inc. at www.mclarenengines.com.