NHRA Inks Multi-Year Deal with Sony’s Xplôd Brand of Mobile Electronics to Become Sponsor of Series and Stylefest

GLENDORA, Calif. (May 2, 2005) – National Hot Rod Association officials announced today that San Diego-based Sony Electronics and its Xplôd brand of mobile electronics products will serve as the title sponsor of its sport compact drag racing series.

The newly named NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series continues tomorrow and Sunday in Englishtown, N.J. at the Nitto NHRA Sport Compact Spring Nationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

“We are pleased that Sony Xplôd has increased their involvement beyond the NHRA Stylefest to also encompass sponsorship of the entire racing series,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA’s senior vice president of marketing. “Clearly, Sony has seen the value of being associated with the NHRA Sport Compact Series. Given their increased involvement in 2005 and beyond, we are confident that their expanded participation, both on- and off-site, will position the NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series for continued growth and success.”

In addition to series sponsorship, Sony will be the presenting sponsor of the on-site NHRA Sound Challenge and the NHRA Sony Xplôd Stylefest. The Xplôd brand also will be designated as the “Official Car Audio” of the NHRA Sport Compact Racing Series.

“The fans who come out to watch the Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series are focused on their cars and are hungry for new technology,” said Andrew Sivori, Sony’s director of marketing for mobile electronics. “They build it into their cars and they build it into their lifestyle. We expect our support of the NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series to improve the fans overall motor sport experience.”

Under the new agreement, Sony’s Xplôd brand will have the right to promote the Stylefest and sound challenge programs with advertising and promotions, which may include Sony’s retail partners.

The deal also includes extensive signage rights at all NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series events, as well as inclusion in all series marketing, advertising and media activities. The new series logo will appear at the staging line. Sony Xplôd will have an expanded presence in the pit area and custom graphics on the NHRA Xplôd Stylefest stage. There also will be public address announcements at the event, along with Sony Xplôd recognition in both the series and related lifestyle shows, airing exclusively on ESPN2.

All 11 of the NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series events are featured on half-hour shows on a tape-delay basis dedicated to the action on the track. In addition, ESPN2 will dedicate nine half-hour shows on consecutive weeks during the fourth quarter of 2005 focusing on the NHRA Xplôd Stylefest and one show devoted to the NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series Award Ceremony.

The NHRA is the premier sanctioning body for sport compact drag racing. It will be presenting the 11-race, $2.1 million NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series at eight tracks across the country from April through October. The series features the largest guaranteed sport compact event purse of more than $27,000 paid out per event. In addition, the series offers a year-end championship fund of $144,000, along with more than $1.7 million in contingency payouts.

The series is highlighted by its five championship classes (Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Modified, Hot Rod and Honda Tuning All Motor). In addition, and at all eight of the stand-alone NHRA Xplôd Sport Compact Racing Series events, the NHRA Xplôd Stylefest will bring a compliment of the lifestyle and entertainment elements synonymous with today’s sport compact scene. More information is available at www.nhrasportcompact.com.