---

General Racing Brings Retromobile Exhibition to San Diego

20 May 1998

General Racing Brings Retromobile Exhibition to San Diego Historic Race Weekend

              Retromobile USA Patterned After Famed Paris Event

    SAN DIEGO, May 20 -- San Diego joins Paris as the only two
cities where automobile enthusiasts can experience the eclectic personality
and ambiance of an event known simply as "Retromobile."  This November,
General Racing Ltd., in cooperation with the Paris-based creators of
Retromobile, will bring the atmosphere of the European automotive spectacular
to San Diego November 13-15 as part of the growing Chrysler Classic Speed
Festival, Coronado.
    Retromobile USA will retain its European flair, but with some
distinctively American accents added.  Once inside, visitors will enter the
realm of automobile memorabilia, rare parts and a variety of automotive
services and accessories, all of which will be available for purchase.  There
also will be art exhibits and historical displays from major automakers and
car clubs.

    'A New Monterey in the Making'
    San Diego lends itself to a much broader automotive event than initially
planned, according to Steven Earle, president of General Racing Ltd.  "This is
a new Monterey," he said, noting that San Diego is a world-class city with
abundant fine restaurants, shopping and family attractions.  "It struck us
that the atmosphere and ambiance, coupled with the enormous success of our
first year's historic event, is ideal for a Retromobile-type exhibition," said
Earle.
    General Racing and Centre International de L'Automobile, organizers of the
Paris event, are exchanging sister city relationships to maintain the
exhibition's integrity and personality.  This is the first time the event's
originators have allowed another organization to use the Retromobile name.
Earle explained that the two organizations have more than 45 years of combined
experience in producing prestige collector car events and after meeting with
Marc Nicolosi and Herve Ogliastro, he is personally looking forward to this
joint international cooperation.
    General Racing has taken approximately 100,000 square-feet of space inside
the beautiful waterfront San Diego Convention Center, which is conveniently
located within walking distance to the City's historical Gas Lamp District and
Horton Plaza.
    Fans who attended last year's inaugural races saw 230 historical race cars
bearing such famous names as Ferrari, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Aston
Martin, Cobra and Lotus, among others, compete in exciting racing.  The races
will be held on a newly improved track at the Naval Air Station, North Island.