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Michelin Signs Sponsorship Agreement with Panoz Motor Sports at Road Atlanta

28 January 1998

(GREENVILLE, SC) --- Michelin North America announced today a sponsorship with the Road Atlanta racecourse. As part of their sponsor partnership, Michelin is now the "Official Tire of Road Atlanta".

Recently purchased by the Don Panoz led Panoz Motor Sports Group, the 2.52-mile road racing circuit is regarded as one of the most challenging and demanding road racing circuits in the world.

"Road Atlanta will definitely put our Michelin tires through their paces," said Herb Johnson, Director of Motorsports, Michelin North America. "With the repeated elevation changes and the banzai run down the hill to the front straight, Road Atlanta is all excitement."

In recognition of Michelin's sponsorship, the bridge overlooking the downhill chute to turn 12 will now be recognized as the "Michelin Bridge". In addition, Michelin will have a prominent presence on the Start/Finish Tower. Other Michelin signage will be located throughout the racing facility.

"The Panoz organization is one of the fastest moving entities in road racing today, and we are delighted to be associated with them," Johnson continued.

Located 45 minutes north of Atlanta, Road Atlanta has hosted a wide variety of automobile and motorcycle racing events such as the Can Am races of the 1970's, the Trans-Am series, IMSA GTP and WSC races, the SCCA Runoffs, AMA Superbikes, WERA Grand National Finals and the NASB Formula USA motorcycle racing series.

Michelin, which brought the world the radial tire more than 50 years ago, is the world's largest tire company. It has 19 plants in North America and produces tires to fit every type of vehicle, from bicycles to the space shuttle.