ParkerStores Continue Support
for 2000 Mars Mission

mars-B-2000.jpg (11213 bytes)News Release
Date: November 8, 1999
For Release: Immediately
Contact: John Strand, Market Specialist, Quick Coupling Division (612) 525-4232, Fax: (612) 544-3418, E-mail: jstrand@parker.com

Cleveland, Ohio (November 8, 1999)-Parker Hannifin Corporation, along with the worldwide ParkerStore network are pleased to announce that they will provide primary sponsorship to Jimmy Mars Racing, Inc., for the 2000 racing season. The Mars brothers have announced that they will field a 'premier' dirt late model team to kick off the new millenium.

Jimmy and Chris Mars just concluded a very successful year in the ParkerStore sponsored Nascar Monte Carlo. This was Jimmy's first full season behind the wheel of an asphalt car. The highlight of their inaugural season was capturing the 1999 Nascar Re/Max 'Rookie of the Year' honors for the touring division. Jimmy also had the opportunity to pilot an American Speed Association entry at several of the country's best short track facilities and he was very competitive.

"We've built a real strong relationship with Parker Hannifin and the ParkerStores over the past several years," said Jimmy Mars. "It's exciting to be able to put together one of the best dirt programs in the country. There are major changes happening in dirt late model racing, and a lot of national companies are starting to see the potential. Parker was actually one of the first major companies to really get involved with the dirt cars. I think we have proven that we can be competitive on asphalt. We still want to move up to the Busch and Winston Cup ranks, but the entire package has to be right for everyone involved."

The Mars brothers will be concentrating their efforts on the Hav-A-Tampa, Big Johnson, UMP, STARS and WISSOTA racing series, as well as many other non-sanctioned events around the country. The Hav-A-Tampa series is considered by many to be the 'major league' of dirt late model racing.

Officials at Hav-A-Tampa are currently negotiating race dates with owners of several of the Winston Cup tracks. These owners are building new dirt racing facilities at their existing Winston Cup tracks in order to capture some of the excitement and growth that is taking place across the country. "The ParkerStores have really benefited from what Jimmy and Chris have accomplished in the dirt car," said Harry Waldron, Distributor Development Manager for Parker. "They are dedicated to their racing program, and we are proud to have them representing Parker."

Jimmy and Chris Mars have been competing in the ParkerStores sponsored dirt late models for the past four years, and have won several prestigious dirt events across the country. The list includes the 1997 '$100,000 Dream' at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH and the STARS Finale at East Bay Speedway during the 1999 Speedweeks events.

"These guys have done a great job representing Parker and the ParkerStores, " said John Strand, Market Specialist, at Parker's Quick Coupling Division. "We're really excited to be part of their racing program. Jimmy and Chris have learned a lot about the racing business in the last twelve months and I think they are going to raise the bar for dirt late models next year. This team has a very positive attitude and a lot to contribute to this sport."

With nearly $5 billion in annual sales, Parker Hannifin Corporation is the world’s leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies, providing systematic, precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, industrial and aerospace markets. For more information about Parker, the ParkerStores or Parker's racing program, visit the website at www.parker.com/racing.