Johnson Controls to Sponsor Triple Challenge

JOHNSON CONTROLS TO SPONSOR BFGOODRICH TIRES TRANS-AM SERIES "TRIPLE CHALLENGE"

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 don't 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.

"We're 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.