To the Off Road Racing Community:

Lucas Oil Products has finalized an agreement with Tony and Sherry Vanillo to acquire complete ownership of the newly formed American Off Road Series.  The Series has been renamed the “Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series”.  Lucas Oil will operate the Series under its racing division, I-10 Race Promotions, Inc.  Lucas Oil currently owns and operates two race tracks, the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, California.  Lucas Oil also owns and operates three racing series and sanctioning bodies: the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League and the Southwest Modified Series (currently entitled the Super Clean Modified Series-presented by Lucas Oil). Additionally, Lucas Oil is an integral part of the race team operations of Morgan Lucas Racing (NHRA Top Fuel Division) and Jason Patison Racing (NASCAR Camping World East Division).  The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be added to the mix of these racing assets.  The business structure is already in place to hit the ground running with this new Off Road series.  Lucas Oil is committed to this new venture and will make all of its managerial, marketing, television and financial resources available to ensure the long term success of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

The 2009 schedule is still being developed.  Confirmed race dates as of this announcement are as follows:

April 4-5 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm, NV

May 2-3 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittman, AZ

June 27-28 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA

Aug 1-2 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA

Oct 17-18 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittman, AZ

Nov 14-15 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm, NV

Racing venues in the Mid-West and Southeast are also under consideration, as additions to the 2009 schedule noted above.  Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri is a strong candidate, as are several other sites in Wisconsin, Michigan, Oklahoma and Georgia.  It is imperative to the long term growth of the sport that a national footprint be established, if not in 2009, definitely in 2010.  Lucas Oil will ensure that this in fact happens.

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be televised on SPEED, with 18 original hours of programming currently committed to the sport. The contract with SPEED is firm for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.  The show will be co-hosted by Ken Stout and Cameron Steele.  The production services will be provided by Lucas Oil Production Studios, with the most current state of the art High Definition equipment.  Lucas Oil will use at a minimum: 10 stationary track cameras, 1 jib mount camera for top down angels, 3 ENG cameras for pit reporting and mobile shots, 3 Point of View cameras to capture jumps and speed shots and, multiple on board cameras for a behind the wheel perspective.  Special effects, customized graphic packages and 3-D animation will be featured in each show to enhance the quality and entertainment value of these productions. 

Secondary airings of selected classes and special features will be produced for the Versus Network to further showcase this new Series and the Off Road Racing industry in general, currently 4 one hour episodes are scheduled.  The Bully Dog Unlimited Super Lite class will be produced for Outdoor Channel, with a minimum of 10 half hour episodes.  Following original airing network commitments, the shows will be distributed internationally through MavTV and will be seen in Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world.  Lucas Oil is a major equity partner of MavTV, a new cable and satellite network focusing on programming for men.  This comprehensive television package will provide the broadest and most diverse coverage ever afforded the sport of off road racing.

Tony and Sherry Vanillo, along with their team of loyal supporters, will remain heavily involved in the Series, as key employees. Their duties will include race day operations along with tech and safety responsibilities.  Tony and Sherry Vanillo have issued the following statement:

“In light of recent events and with the best interest of the short course off road community in mind, we would like to announce that we are conveying our ownership of the American Off Road Series to Lucas Oil Products, Inc.  We will continue to be a large part of this endeavor and will be working very closely with the Lucas Oil staff.  We feel this move will create the best possible foundation for the new series and will provide the long term stability that is so crucial in this unstable economic time.  We look forward to a long relationship with Lucas Oil Products and are excited for the new prospects this company will bring to the short course off road community.”  –February 4, 2009.

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is open to all competitors and all sponsors.  There will be a fair and level playing field for everyone.  Participating sponsors will be pleasantly surprised with the marketing value they receive, as Lucas Oil is keenly aware of what is needed to justify a sponsorship commitment and to drive sales for those participating.  There will be no restrictions imposed to prevent multiple OEM’s from participating and receiving fair and proportionate treatment, this applies to vehicles, tires, consumer goods, etc.

NOTE:  Lucas Oil Products will GUARANTEE all race event purse pay outs and, year end points fund.

Anyone who would like to obtain additional information on the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series can go to www.lucasoil.com or, you are welcome to contact me at 1-800-342-2512. 

Sincerely,

Bob Patison

Executive Vice-President & General Counsel

Lucas Oil Products