Nike Joins CART to Create Nike Racing Apparel Line
©2000 SpeedCenter Publishing

Nike to promote program in mass- and trade-media

Championship Auto Racing Teams announced today it has reached agreement with Nike Racing to develop and distribute a variety of apparel and accessory items that bear the marks of CART, and its affiliates.

The agreement runs through 2002 and will include a wide variety of popular performance and lifestyle sports apparel and accessory items that will be distributed through a number of various retail outlets.

"Nike is the world's leading sports footwear, apparel and equipment company,"said Jonathan Frank, President of CART Licensed Products. "With Nike's commitment to racing, it will open up a tremendous amount of opportunities for both CART and our fans. We are thrilled to provide to race fans around the world products that complement Champ car racing."

Items Nike will be producing may include team-replica apparel, t-shirts, shorts, polo shirts, fleecewear, jackets, headwear and replica style jerseys that incorporate the CART logos. The non-exclusive agreement allows Nike worldwide distribution rights in various types of retail outlets, including at-track.

"Nike brings to CART more than 28 years of expertise in designing and marketing products specifically for world-class professional athletes, as well as replica products for their fans," said Mac McDevitt, director of Nike Racing for Nike Team Sports Inc. "CART reaches a worldwide audience, which reinforces and expands Nike Racing's position in motor sports."

As part of the commitment, Nike has agreed to specific promotional activities in support of its program, in mass- and trade-media, as well as at retail. Additionally, Nike will display CART related merchandise at various trade shows where it is exhibiting.

NIKE Inc. (NYSE: NKE), headquartered in Beaverton, OR, markets its products in more than 100 countries and is the world's leading sports and fitness company. For more information about Nike, visit nike.com or nikebiz.com on the Internet.

Established in 1996 and headquartered in Atlanta, CART Licensed Products, Inc., is the official retail licensing and merchandising division of Championship Auto Racing Teams. CART Licensed Products is the exclusive worldwide licensor of the CART and FedEx Championship Series brands. CART Licensed Products also grants non-exclusive retail licenses for the images of teams and drivers of the FedEx Championship Series including Champions Michael Andretti, Juan Montoya, and Jimmy Vasser

Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. (NYSE: MPH) owns, operates and markets the FedEx Championship Series, which, in 1999, was comprised of 20 races in five countries on four continents. Champions Juan Montoya, Michael Andretti and Jimmy Vasser are among the drivers who battle for the series title on oval circuits as well as temporary and permanent road courses. CART also owns and operates its top two development series -- the Dayton Indy Lights Championship and the Toyota Atlantic Championship. Learn more about CART's open-wheel racing series at www.cart.com.


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