FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: NHRA Communications Dept., (626) 914-4761

NHRA STATEMENT CONCERNING ILLEGAL STREET RACING

GLENDORA, Calif. (June 27, 2001) - NHRA President Tom Compton addresses the NHRA's position on
illegal street racing following the release of The Fast and the Furious by Universal Pictures:

"The National Hot Rod Association does not endorse the illegal street racing activities depicted in the current
movie, The Fast and the Furious. The illegal street racing portrayed in the movie is not drag racing. Drag
racing is an organized sport for high-performance vehicles conducted on a safer, controlled race course.

"During our 50-year history, the NHRA has worked tirelessly to improve safety for competitors and fans
attending drag racing events. In fact, the NHRA was formed in 1951 by Wally Parks to take hot rod
enthusiasts off the streets by providing racing opportunities at organized venues. Working with civic leaders
and law enforcement officers to accomplish his vision, Parks developed what has evolved into the premier
sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing.

"Today the NHRA operates as the world's largest motorsports organization, with more than 80,000 members
and 5,500 events nationwide where 35,000 licensed racers and some 300,000 amateur racers compete and
race on a weekly basis. These enthusiasts compete at our 140 member tracks, located throughout the United
States. At the highest level, we offer our NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series, a 24-race tour throughout the
United States with an exclusive broadcast package on the ESPN network. It has been, and always will be,
our primary mission to be "Dedicated to Safety," a slogan which was a mainstay of our logo for many years
and one that still represents the spirit of NHRA as we celebrate our 50th anniversary.

"Earlier this year, NHRA developed, created and invested in the Summit Import Drag Racing Series, which
features a national schedule for Import racers with national television coverage on ESPN2. Sensing an
increase of illegal street racing activities taking place among import enthusiasts, we designed this series to
provide an avenue to educate this segment on all the activities currently offered at NHRA member tracks to
get them off the streets and into a safer, controlled racing environment.

"In addition, NHRA, along with its member tracks, offers the NHRA Street Legal Program providing, in many
cases, weekly opportunities for fans of drag racing to participate in a safer and controlled environment. It is
still one of the only experiences of its kind to provide a place for enthusiasts to take their street-legal vehicles
and race.

"Recognizing the inherent problem in the birthplace of drag racing, Southern California, NHRA, along with the
California Speedway in Fontana, last week unveiled the newest quarter-mile track for the NHRA Street Legal
series. We continue to work, not only in Southern California, but also across the country, with individuals to
build and support similar tracks designed primarily to service the casual racer.

"Finally, we offer competition opportunities for youths ages 8 to 17 in our popular Castrol GTX Junior Drag
Racing League, which educates young kids about the pitfalls associated with illegal drag racing and the need
to participate in organized events to quench their thirst for side-by-side racing activities."

ABOUT THE NHRA
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in
the United States. It presents 24 national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA
has more than 80,000 members nationwide and more than 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned
sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA
develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit
Racing Series, NHRA Summit Import Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA
also offers the NHRA Castrol GTX Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.

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