FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *** 04-19-02

Long Beach, CA - Auto Trader® magazines, owned by Trader Publishing Company, announced today that it will become the title sponsor of "The Auto Trader® 2002 IDRC Championship Drag Racing Series."

"We are excited about this sponsorship with IDRC," said Clay Gill, Vice President, Trader Publishing Company.  "We look at the tremendous growth in the compact performance industry and information provided by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) showing 60% of all compact performance consumers purchase used cars and the decision to get involved was easy," said Gill.  "Another easy decision was to partner with the IDRC as they are the leading sanctioning organization in import drag racing with most events, largest attendance and dedication to creating superior event promotions."

Auto Trader® magazines will assist in marketing and advertising of the series by running in-magazine advertising and promotions within and adjacent to the race markets.  In addition, Auto Trader® magazines will create related programs including the Auto Trader® Car Corral at each IDRC event where major dealers and individual advertisers will have an opportunity to bring their sport compact or other import to the event and show them to thousands of potential buyers.

"Auto Trader® magazines is an ideal fit for the IDRC as the title sponsor.  Our multi-year agreement shows the level of interest and dedication to this new audience.  At the event level, this sponsorship will raise the overall entertainment value to consumers.  It will also allow us to reach more enthusiasts across the U.S.," stated Michael Ferrara, National Director, IDRC.

Trader Publishing Company is the nation's largest publisher of photo advertising magazines.  In addition to the Auto Trader® and Truck Trader magazines, they publish over 650 titles, operate in over 175 markets and reach 80% of the United States through their 238,000 distribution outlets.  For more information on Trader Publishing Company and a full list of its titles, visit www.traderonline.com or call (757) 640-6362.

The IDRC is a series of 15 events held nationwide, where participants vie for the most prize money and year-end awards of any existing import drag racing sanctioning body or promoter.  The oldest producer of events of this kind, the IDRC has staged 34 National Events since its inception in 1998. 

For more information, please visit www.importdrag.com or call (714) 593-0280.

IDRC, Inc.

www.importdrag.com