FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *** 02-07-02

Ford Motor Company Renews IDRC Sponsorships
Win with a Ford Sport Compact and Take Home Extra Cash

For the second year in a row, Ford Motor Company has committed to support the grassroots racers that campaign in its sport compact lineup. The Ford Focus Brand Team contingency program will award $1000 to winners and $500 to runner-ups competing with a Ford Focus in any of the three IDRC bracket classes. As a new incentive for 2002, racers using Ford Racing Performance Parts on their Ford sport compact vehicle will be eligible for additional awards when they win.

In addition to their direct contingency support, Ford Racing Performance Parts will continue to support the entire import and sport compact drag racing movement with its sponsorship of the Super Stock class. The Super Stock class represents one of the biggest participant classes at IDRC drag racing events. The Ford Racing Performance Parts Super Stock class will be present at all 15 IDRC events. Over $10,000 will be paid to the racers in this class during the 2002 season.

On the event level, the Ford Racing Performance Parts display trailer will be on hand for all but one of the IDRC events within the 48 states.

Ford was the first manufacturer to reward the grassroots racers that won driving Ford's sport compact products. Additionally, Ford supported a number of race teams campaigning the Focus platforms over the last two seasons. Was the program successful? One only needs to look at the incredible volume of Focus sales to know that youth marketing through IDRC events provides incredible return of investment. According to IDRC National Director Michael Ferrara. "When a vehicle manufacturer or high-performance parts manufacturer advertises in this segment's publications, promotes through the IDRC event series and supports the race teams showcasing its products then the company's sales increase. The incremental value added to the company involved far exceeds the original promotional and advertising investment."

During the 2001 season, the Hoyos racing team with driver Matt Hartford dominated the IDRC's Pro Class. The team set a new world record for elapsed time (7.07) and trap speed (196mph). At the end of the season, Matt Hartford and the team had defeated the best of the best. At the 2001 IDRC awards banquet, they were crowned champions and awarded a $25,000 championship bonus from the IDRC. The team campaigned a V6, twin-turbo, IDRC Pro Class Ford Focus in 2001.

Complete contingency program details for the IDRC's 2002 season will be posted on www.importdrag.com by 2/15/02.  

For more information, contact IDRC at:

IDRC, Inc.
21405 Brookhurst Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(714) 593-0280 / (714) 593-0281 fax
info@importdrag.com