IDEMITSU RETURNS IN 2006 AS SPONSOR OF
NHRA SPORT COMPACT PERFECT LIGHT PROGRAM

GLENDORA, Calif. (March 28, 2006) – NHRA has announced that for the 2006 racing season, Idemitsu Racing, the largest manufacturer of lubricants in Japan, will partner with the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series to reward drivers for perfect reaction times off the starting line through the Idemitsu NHRA Sport Compact Perfect Light Program.

The program is based upon a driver in the Pro classes (Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Modified, Hot Rod, and Honda Tuning All Motor) and the Sportsman classes (Sport RWD, Sport FWD, BFGoodrich Tires Street Stock, Quick 16, ET Bracket) being the first at a national event to cut a perfect light, meaning the driver takes 0.000 seconds to react to the green light on the NHRA Christmas Tree starting line system.

“We are pleased to have Idemitsu Racing continue their partnership with NHRA,” said Josh Peterson, general manager of the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series. “The Idemitsu NHRA Sport Compact Perfect Light Award is another exciting way to reward our drivers for their quality performance on the track.”

The first driver at each event in the Pro classes to have a perfect reaction time will be awarded $250, and the first driver in the Sportsman classes will be awarded $125. When there is no driver who has a perfect reaction time at an event the award will be rolled over to the next event, until awarded. If at the end of the season there is an unawarded amount, then the driver with the quickest reaction time at the final event, the Nitto NHRA Sport Compact World Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Calif., will be awarded the unpaid amount. In the situation of drivers having identical reaction times at the final event the money will be equally divided between the drivers.

To be eligible for the award the Pro class drivers must run with the official program decal on both sides of the car.

“Idemitsu Racing is proud to continue our support of the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series with the Idemitsu NHRA Sport Compact Perfect Light Program,” said Bryce Egbert, marketing & sales engineer for Idemitsu Racing. “The program has been a great success in years past and we look forward to paying out even more cash during the 2006 season to racers that score perfect times off the line.”

As the largest Japanese lubricant manufacturer, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. has supplied Japan's lubricant needs since 1911. With over 40% market share of Japanese automotive OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) engine oil and lubricant supply, Idemitsu has the knowledge, experience, and technical expertise to design engine oils and other lubricants to specifically meet the unique requirements of Japanese makes and models of automobiles. For decades, this expertise has been proven time and again on the race track.

After supplying to OEM's in the United States for over 20 years, Idemitsu is proud to introduce its quality racing formulas to the U.S. aftermarket by launching three new rotary engine oils and a full-line of piston-type engine oils. These customized lines of premium lubricants offer both classes of engines benefits that include but are not limited to better durability and increased horsepower.