IRL: Panther Racing announces Enge sponsor

ROCKSTAR Energy Drink Sponsors Panther Racing and Tomas Enge

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Two time IndyCar Series Champion Panther Racing announced today that ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will be the primary sponsor of its #2 Chevrolet Dallara. The 2005 entry will be driven by former Formula 1 driver Tomas Enge for the full 17-race IndyCar Series schedule this season, which begins March 6.

Panther Racing--the Indy Racing League's winningest team with 14 victories--will bring the excitement of the 16 oz. and 8.4 oz. energy drink to the IndyCar paddock. For its part ROCKSTAR will introduce the speed and excitement of open-wheel IndyCar racing to the retail marketplace through this new relationship.

"We are looking forward to our partnership with ROCKSTAR Energy Drink," said John Barnes, CEO and co-owner of Panther Racing. "ROCKSTAR is a high energy, cutting edge, innovative brand making its mark on the US landscape -- much like Panther Racing and the IndyCar Series. Together, we are going to make a positive impact."

ROCKSTAR founder and CEO Russell Weiner and other ROCKSTAR executives and guests attended the IndyCar race at California Speedway in 2004 and decided the excitement of the IndyCar Series represented the philosophy of the ROCKSTAR brand and would be an ideal avenue to increase exposure for ROCKSTAR.

In addition to its sponsorship of the Enge's car, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will also have an associate sponsor position on the #4 Pennzoil Panther Chevrolet driven by Tomas Scheckter.

"ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is excited to be involved with IndyCar racing,"said Weiner. "Race car drivers are bona fide ROCKSTARS, and we're certain our association with Panther Racing, Tomas Enge and Tomas Scheckter will rock the sport and the marketplace. We're looking forward to having our partnership with them reach fans of open-wheeled excitement personified by this winning team and the league. "

The new black, red and gold #2 Chevrolet will debut at the first IndyCar Series race of the season on March 6th at Homestead-Miami Speedway. To see photos of the #2 Panther Chevrolet in ROCKSTAR livery, visit: www.pantherracing.com.

"ROCKSTAR's vast distribution network is very impressive," Barnes noted. "More importantly, ROCKSTAR has plans to introduce many more retailers and customers to the sport of IndyCar racing in 2005. Having an association with both cars and both drivers gives ROCKSTAR more leveraging opportunity and provides more exposure for Panther Racing, its drivers and sponsors."

ABOUT ROCKSTAR
Headquartered in Las Vegas, with satellite offices in Marin County, CA, Los Angeles, CA and New York, ROCKSTAR is the second largest-selling energy drink in the U.S., outsold only by Red Bull. The company has achieved this swift penetration as an independently owned venture, creating the 16-oz. energy drink category in 2001 and expanding from Northern California into all 50 states, with plans to extend its distribution into the European Union, Canada, Mexico and Japan. The brand has just launched Rockstar Energy Cola.

-www.pantherracing.com