Catchfence

CORNELIUS, N.C. (December 22, 2008) – Triad Racing Technologies (TRT) announced today that the company will acquire Triad Racing Development, a major supplier of engines, chassis and bodies for NASCAR Camping World, Nationwide and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams. In addition to the acquisition of Triad Racing Development, the owners also purchased a majority interest in Bill Davis Racing.

“This is an exciting time for us,” said Marty Gaunt, co-owner of TRT. “With the changing economic landscape, we see this as an opportunity to service existing Toyota teams and build the business by providing cost effective engine support and chassis production to all racing teams regardless of manufacturer association.”

Gaunt along with business partner, Michael Held, entered into the agreement to purchase Triad this week. With more than 40 years combined motorsports experience, Gaunt and Held will provide management of the company effective immediately. Gaunt and Held both return to the ownership role, having spent time as NASCAR team owners. A California businessman, Held also owns Co-Pilott, LLC, a marketing company that services a number of clients in the motorsports arena.

“We’ve known Marty and Mike for many years and wish them all the best in this new endeavor,” said Lee White, president and general manager of TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development). “Of course, we’ve had a very good relationship with Bill Davis and everyone at Triad and we expect that relationship to continue with TRT.”

“We’re proud to be a support gear for all teams in the NASCAR arena and racing across the US,” said Held. “Triad Racing Technologies will provide services such as engine development, manufacturing and engineering services as well as chassis fabrication and design. Bill and Gail Davis have built strong companies and we intend to carry on the tradition. Clearly, Triad’s history of championship successes are proof that this brain trust led by Jon Dysinger and Todd Holbert will continue to be a force in the marketplace.”

In addition to the engine and chassis business, which will remain in High Point, North Carolina, TRT has opened a sales support office in Cornelius, NC, to support all of TRT’s clients in NASCAR and across other potential racing series. Co-Pilott Motorsports Marketing will handle all of the marketing and public relations for the new company.

An announcement regarding the Bill Davis Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series operations, as well as detailed team plans for the 2009 race season, will be made in the coming weeks.

ABOUT…

TRIAD RACING TECHNOLOGIES

Considered to be at the top of its industry, Triad Racing Development was founded in 2003 and began to develop and produce engines, chassis and bodies for Toyota Racing Development. The North Carolina based operation includes a 100,000 square foot facility in High Point. Triad is a state of the art race vehicle design and fabrication facility as well as a fully functioning engine department with three dyno cells, two spintron cells, five assembly laboratories and four CNC machines.

Triad has been the exclusive supplier of engines, chassis and bodies for nine full-time Toyota Tundra teams since the start of the 2004 season and was instrumental in Toyota winning three consecutive manufacturer’s championship in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Most recently, Triad produced engines and chassis for 2008 Camping World Truck Champion, Johnny Benson and Bill Davis Racing. In addition, Triad is the primary supplier of engines for four of the six full-time Toyota NASCAR Nationwide Series teams, as well as four ARCAR RE/MAX Series teams. Triad will continue to offer chassis and engine support to all manufacturers.

MICHAEL HELD

Michael Held is a California businessman with more than 23 years of diverse motorsports management experience. Held’s vast experience include tenures with the BF Goodrich Racing Division, Bell Helmets and Simpson Race Products. In addition, he owned a Toyota Indy car Team and a NASCAR Team with partner Robby Gordon. Held has worked with CART Champion, Jimmy Vasser and Indy 500 Winner Bobby Rahal and Race Team Owners Rick Galles, Carl Haas, Roger Penske, Max Jones and John Menard.

In 2000, Held formed Co-Pilott Motorsports Marketing, a full service motorsports marketing agency. As the agency principle, Held is responsible for new business development, while continually offering support and growth opportunities to existing clients. Throughout the last eight years in NASCAR, Held has helped grow the Menards Racing program into one of the sport’s premier sponsorship programs and has guided SONY through three program renewals including strategic activation and involvement in the SONY HD 500, NASCAR league sponsorship, team sponsorship and driver endorsement programs with NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers including Robby Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Paul Menard and Dale Earnhart Jr. Held was instrumental in the development and formation of the Red Bull NASCAR team and developing its relationship with Toyota. In addition, Held continues to work as a consultant for many of the corporations investigating the NASCAR landscape.

A native of Ohio, Held is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

MARTY GAUNT

As a 25-year veteran of the racing and automotive business, the London-born Marty Gaunt brings with him a wealth of experience and resources, with a diverse history that includes experience in all aspects of the auto racing arena.

In the early years, Canadian driving legend and CASCAR champion Peter Gibbons recognized Gaunt’s mechanical and organizational skills, hiring him as crew chief and team manager. The following year, Gibbons moved his entire operation to North Carolina – insisting Gaunt agree to join him and begin the foray into the NASCAR arena.

Along the way, Gaunt was hired by Michael Kranefuss and Roger Penske, where he led the No. 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup entry to its first victory in 1998.

In 2001, Gaunt turned his attention to the NASCAR Nationwide Series. As the general manager of MK Racing, he helped lead driver Elton Sawyer to a fifth place finish in the Championship standings, under the direction of NASCAR owner Kranefuss. In 2003, Gaunt took on another dual role as co-owner and general manager of Red Horse Racing, which secured its first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win in just its second full-time season.

In 2006, Gaunt was hired as vice president/general manager for the newly formed Red Bull Racing. With his varied background, Gaunt was the clear choice to help launch the program along with the opportunity to introduce a new manufacturer to the premier American motorsport series. In 2008, Gaunt moved across town to Bill Davis Racing, where he served as vice president.

Gaunt has been called one of the brightest and most successful minds in stock car racing and brings that insight to Triad Racing Technologies.

JOHN DYSINGER

John Dysinger joined Triad Racing Development in 2003 as head engine builder and first employee of the new company. He was tasked with hiring top-tier personnel and building the infrastructure that is now one of the most successful engine programs in NASCAR.

Dysinger won the 2005 Clevite NCTS Engine Builder of the Year Award and was instrumental in Toyota’s 2006, 2007 and 2008 Manufacturers titles as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championships in 2006 and 2008. Dysinger has won races in all of NASCAR’s top three touring series and will continue to be a significant part of Triad Racing Technologies engine program.

TODD HOLBERT

Todd Holbert joined Bill Davis racing in 1997 and was a member of the winning 2002 Daytona 500 team. Holbert, a graduate from Lehigh University in mechanical engineering (BSME), joined Triad in 2003 as project manager for their Vehicle Production and Development division.

Since then, Holbert has built Triad Racing Technologies into a company that builds chassis and component parts for all NASCAR team in NCWTS, NNS and NSCS for all manufacturers. Triad will engage in all elements of chassis engineering from chassis and aerodynamics to logistics and engineering consulting.

Holbert manages the day to day operations of Triad Racing Technologies and will continue to play an integral role in the development and growth of Triad’s involvement in all three NASCAR Series, ARCA, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and including late models and modifieds.

Co-Pilott Motorsports Marketing, Press Release