Sony to sponsor NHRA Stylefest and car audio competition at NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series events

National Dragster, May 2, 2003

Sony Electronics will sponsor the NHRA Stylefest and NHRA Car Audio Competition, two key entertainment and lifestyle elements of the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series.

Stylefest is a popular lifestyle event that defines the pulse of today's youth market. It features the NHRA Xtreme Tuner Car Show, NHRA Car Audio Competition, NHRA Xtreme Bikini Jam, DJs, local bands, giveaways, and more.

With the participation of Sony's Xplod brand, the lifestyle component of the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series will provide the ultimate entertainment experience. "NHRA's Stylefest events are an ideal venue to demonstrate the Xplod line of in-car entertainment products to Gen Y," said Bill Lee, general manager for mobile electronics at Sony Electronics. "Stylefest activities reflect the excitement and adrenaline rush associated with our Sonic Truth campaign for Xplod products. Young enthusiasts will truly be able to see it, hear it, and feel it."

The Sony-sponsored Stylefest activities, which will be featured at each NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series event, debut May 4 during the running of the third annual Nitto Extreme Performance NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown. ESPN2 will dedicate a 30-- minute show featuring event highlights from each Stylefest. The 13-- series broadcast will air in the fourth quarter of 2003.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to be teaming our popular NHRA Stylefest with a leading brand like Sony and its cutting-edge Xplod line of in-car entertainment products," said Bob Wagner, NHRA vice president of sales and business development. "Sony is on the pulse of the diverse youth market that encompasses the lifestyle and sport compact arena. Clearly, the company is targeting Gen Y with its hot line of mobile electronics, including Xplod speakers, amps, and head units. Sony is an excellent complement to Stylefest."

Sony's involvement with Stylefest will include on-site displays featuring mobile electronics devices, accessories, and Xplod-branded demo cars. Sony will also provide an awards package to winners of the Xtreme Tuner Car Show and Car Audio Competition.