Cleveland, OH- Parker Hannifin Corporation, along with the more than 300 affiliated ParkerStores worldwide are pleased to announce that they will extend their sponsorship with Jimmy Mars Racing for the 2001 racing season.

"We have been associated with Jimmy Mars Racing for several years, and the relationship just continues to grow," said Harry Waldron, ParkerStore Manager. "Jimmy’s team has done an excellent job working with the ParkerStores and helping to promote the Parker brand name. We are looking forward to the 2001 racing season and are pleased to continue our support with their team."

In addition, MasterSbilt Race Cars recently announced that Jimmy Mars Racing has been selected as a prestigious ‘house car’ team. Mars will pilot cars owned by Keith and Tader Masters, but will continue to operate under the Jimmy Mars Racing banner. "Jimmy is actually going to be a ‘General’ in the MasterSbilt army," said owner Keith Masters. "Jimmy, Chris and Jeff have an excellent racing program, and this should be a great venture for everyone involved. We are going to support the team with products, knowledge and manpower. We’re expecting to see some exciting things happen next season."

Mars wrapped up a successful season finishing ninth in the Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series. Highlights for the season include winning the "WinterNationals' at Volusia County Speedway, the prestigious 'Topless 100' at Batesville Speedway, and the Challenge of Champions at the ABC Raceway in Ashland, WI. The ParkerStore team tallied 20 top-five and 32 top-ten finishes.

"We didn't put as many victories in the win column as we would have liked, said Jimmy, but once we got the bugs worked out of the cars and motors, we ran pretty consistent. We're glad to have ParkerStores with us as a sponsor, we've been able to share a few big victories together, and they have stuck with us when things were a little down."

With annual sales of $6 billion, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 45,000 people in 46 countries around the world. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.parker.com, or its investor information site at www.phstock.com.