NHRA ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF NHRA WORLDWIDE NETWORK

Track Affiliate Program to Provide Benefits; Usage of NHRA Marks

First Affiliate in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 16, 2009) – NHRA announced today the creation of NHRA Worldwide Network, a program that will enable drag racing facilities around the world to conduct events under the NHRA banner. By becoming a part of the NHRA Worldwide Network, a facility will be able to use the specially-designed “Worldwide Drag Racing” NHRA oval for broad promotional purposes and will be able to draw on NHRA’s decades of experience and history.

“Organized drag racing is conducted throughout the world and we have been receiving many inquiries regarding how facilities outside of North America can become affiliated with NHRA,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “NHRA Worldwide Network provides drag racing facilities around the globe with unique benefits and identification with NHRA.”

NHRAWorldwide NHRA Worldwide Network tracks will follow the NHRA Rulebook and will be assigned an account director for advice and consultation. The track will have access to NHRA’s technical department in the United States and may also request training at the track site. Tracks can also participate in any of NHRA’s Division Tech Seminars, SFI certification and training seminars, and emergency response training seminars.

As an NHRA Worldwide Network track, the facility will be able to award Wally® trophies for track champions. NHRA will establish a link to the track’s Web site from NHRA.com and be listed in a newly-created Worldwide Affiliation directory of National DRAGSTER and NHRA.com.

The first track to be associated with the program will be the dragstrip currently being built within the confines of the Yas Marina Circuit, located on Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

As the premier drag racing sanctioning body in the world, NHRA currently serves as the president of FIA’s Drag Racing Commission. The worldwide rules adopted by FIA for drag racing originate from NHRA’s Rulebook. Members of the commission meet annually to develop the rulebook and discuss drag racing on a global basis. Currently, organized series are conducted in Europe and Australia.