Stars of Tomorrow, SPEED announce 2003 TV dates CHARLOTTE, NC -The Snap-on Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow presented by RACER and motorsports network giant SPEED Channel recently announced the top-level karting series would air multiple races on SPEED in 2003. "This agreement is historic for kart racing in America," said Stars principal Bobby Rahal. "We will begin to show the mass market what kart racing is all about." Stars, in association with Brian Lockwood Productions, LLC, will produce two one hour shows for the races at the Bridgestone Grand Prix of Sonoma in July and a show for the Stars Karting Championships at the California Speedway in early November. All shows will air on SPEED in the October-December time period. "We are very happy to add more Stars events to our 2003 lineup," said SPEED Channel president Jim Liberatore. "Stars of Tomorrow fits well in our plan to show racers of yesterday, today, and tomorrow." Lockwood, who has extensive television experience in racing, including Champ Car, NASCAR, and several karting events, sees this as an opportunity to highlight the best of what competitive kart racing has to offer. "Karting is an intense, high speed extreme motorsport," said Lockwood. "We aim to get up close and down low to show the many people viewing on SPEED Channel how extreme it really is." The production plans to greatly utilize in-kart footage to show the exciting wheel-to-wheel action. Although production details are still being finalized, the one-hour programs are expected to primarily cover the ICC and ICA class races, with highlights of the other classes. "We were impressed at the ratings pull the 2002 Stars program had," said Senior Vice-President of Programming and Production Rick Miner. "We expect the 2003 Stars shows to build on that and deliver exciting racing action to our more than 60 million subscribers." The Champ Car 'Stars of Tomorrow' presented by RACER karting series is the official first level in CART's driver development system and an officially sanctioned series of WKA/SCCA Pro Racing. Founded by racing star Bryan Herta and now owned in conjunction with a group of racing veterans, including three-time CART champion and Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, the Stars of Tomorrow serves as the first step for the CART driver development ladder. Stars focuses on recognizing the skills of the drivers rather than the technology development within the machines, using FIA/CIK International standards. More information can be found at www.cartstars.com. Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of tool and equipment solutions for professional tool users. Product lines include hand tools, power tools, automotive diagnostics and shop equipment, tool storage products, automotive diagnostics software and other solutions for the transportation service, industrial, government, education, agricultural, and other commercial applications, including construction and electrical. Products are sold through its franchise dealer van, company direct sales and distributor and Internet channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2+ billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin and employs approximately 14,000 worldwide. More information can be found at www.snap-on.com.