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NASCAR'S Newest Racing Technology: The Wiper Blade

11 August 1999

NASCAR'S Newest Racing Technology: The Wiper Blade

  Winston Cup Cars Ready to Run in the Rain at Watkins Glen; ANCO Works with
          Teams to Engineer Wiper System for Safety and Performance

    DETROIT, Aug. 11 -- The newest racing technology to hit the
NASCAR Winston Cup circuit will help ensure that this week's Frontier at the
Glen at Watkins Glen International starts on time -- regardless of the
weather.
    That technology?  The windshield wiper.
    With NASCAR's decision last year to run road course events in spite of
rain, the wiper blade has become an integral part of vehicle setup.  And
nowhere will a clean, dry windshield be more important than at The Glen, where
the 2.45-mile course presents 11 corners -- seven of them requiring right-hand
turns.  With speeds among the leaders expected to approach 120 miles per hour,
it's clear that wiper blades could play a key role in the 90-lap race.
    "When NASCAR made its 'rain or shine' ruling, no one had given a thought
to how a wiper could be integrated into the racing setup," said Jon Arterburn,
NASCAR coordinator for ANCO Wiper Blades from Federal-Mogul Corporation.
"ANCO came forward with a recommendation for a single, aerodynamic arm and
blade mounted near the center of the windshield.  This has become the
preferred setup among the racers and crew chiefs."
    The ANCO design features a wiper motor mounted beneath the dashboard
within the car.  The connecting shaft is fitted in a hole drilled through the
bottom of the windshield.  The wiper arm and blade are mounted vertically on
the windshield to ensure maximum aerodynamic efficiency when not in use.
    Each vehicle utilizing the ANCO setup is equipped with a single ANCO
AeroVantage wiper blade -- the same product available through retailers and
auto parts stores for millions of domestic and import passenger cars, vans,
sport utility vehicles and light trucks.
    "The AeroVantage is the ideal design for high-speed use," Arterburn said.
"Its wrap-around claw design maintains constant contact with sloped
windshields and it offers a lower profile and greater stability to prevent
windlift at racing speeds."
    AeroVantage blades also feature the exclusive ANCO DuraKlear natural
rubber (no wax) formula, which eliminates streaking.
    In addition to its popularity among crews preparing for next week's
Frontier at The Glen, ANCO is the only brand of wipers to post contingency
awards in NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck competition.
    ANCO Wiper Blades also are included in the national "Good To Go!" Systems
Check promotion from Federal-Mogul.  Thousands of vehicle repair operations
across North America are offering a full range of Federal-Mogul "Good To Go!"
vehicle inspections -- covering brakes, alignment, engine, tune-up and
visibility -- to help consumers ensure their driving safety.
     Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, Federal-Mogul is an automotive
parts manufacturer providing innovative solutions and systems to global
customers in the automotive, light truck, heavy-duty, railroad, farm and
industrial markets.  The company was founded in 1899.  Visit the company's web
site at http://www.federal-mogul.com for more information.