Team Petronas Signs With Opel

TEAM PETRONAS SYNTIUM OPEL IN SOUTH AFRICAN TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

Team PETRONAS PX2 Touring Car has signed an exclusive two-year technical and sponsorship agreement with Opel Motorsports South Africa that will pave the way for Team PETRONAS Syntium Opel, the new team to be formed following this agreement to participate in the 1999 and 2000 South African Touring Car Championship (SATCC). Under the agreement, Opel will design and construct two cars for Team PETRONAS Syntium Opel.

The technical and sponsorship agreement is fully supported by PETRONAS, Malaysia's national oil and gas corporation, which is the main and technical sponsor of the Red-Bull-Sauber-PETRONAS Formula 1 Racing Team.

The Team PETRONAS Syntium Opel cars will be driven by two top South African Touring Car Drivers and their names will be announced very soon. Team PETRONAS Syntium Opel will also engage Hairol Buntat of Team PETRONAS PX2 and the winner of the recent Johor Race Series 11 to participate in the 1999 South African Production Car Championship to give the young driver international exposure.

Opel is no stranger in the South African racing scene. During its four years in the SATCC racing circuit, Opel has proven to be the most dominant team. Likewise, Team PETRONAS PX2 has enjoyed equal success in the Malaysian races since 1990.

PETRONAS views its involvement in SATCC through Team PETRONAS Syntium Opel as another value-adding partnership, especially in areas involving the development of automotive engineering technology, fuel and lubricants. The partnership will also provide a platform for PETRONAS to further develop and enhance the performance of its products, including Syntium., PETRONAS' first synthetic lubricant.