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F2000: Ryan Walker Signs Factory Tatuus Deal

24 April 1998

In an important advancement of his racing career, Ryan Walker of Okemos, Michigan, has signed with the Tatuus Factory Team for the remainder of the 1998 US F2000 season.

Walkers first race in a Tatuus will be May 16/17 at the Homestead Grand Prix. Walker competed in the first two races of the season driving for Primus Racing. In only his second professional race at Phoenix last month, he placed 6th out of 38 starters.

Walker competed in 18 races last year at the Bridgestone Racing School in Canada, winning 15 of them. The 18-year-old is a senior at Okemos High School in Okemos, Michigan.

``This is an important step for me in my career, Walker said. ``I feel that the all-around capabilities and facilities offered by the Tatuus factory will help me progress rapidly.

Walker is sponsored by First Finance Mortgage Company, which also sponsors the Patrick Racing team in the FedEx Championship Series and is an associate sponsor of the PPG-Dayton Indy Lights series. First Finance provides mortgage by mail service to their clients, and have grown into one of the largest mortgage companies in America.

``First Finance supported me in my decision to change teams. Our relationship seems to get stronger every day, and their president, Ken Quigley, is behind me 100 percent, Walker said.

For further information, please contact Walkers personal management:

David Clare, EPI Management LTD.