NGK joins contingency program

NGK adds spark to CASCAR contingency programs.

TORONTO, ON - NGK Spark Plugs Canada Limited, a leader in the world of high-performance spark plugs, recently signed on as a long-term contingency program sponsor of the CASCAR Super Series. Additionally, NGK Spark Plugs will participate in a similar capacity in both the CASCAR West and CARQUEST Series.

As part of its five-year agreement with CASCAR, NGK Spark Plugs will offer cash bonuses at the year-end banquet for drivers who excel in certain categories. Details of those programs will be announced in the future.

More importantly, however, NGK Spark Plugs will supply initial product to the racers and will work with them in order to maximize the performance of their motors and vehicles.

"We work very closely with the NASCAR Winston Cup and Craftsman Truck series, as well as the NHRA," said Robert Tribe, NGK's National Sales and Marketing Manager. "Our partners in the States are doing a lot of product development with these series with a number of teams. NGK can bring that knowledge to the table in CASCAR and expose the racers and teams to some things that they've never seen before. It's because our company is so technically advanced in manufacturing and developing new products that we can help the performance of the series."

Already a recognized world leader in terms of international motor sports through its association with respected names like; Paul Tracy, Michael Andretti, Dario Franchitti, Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher. NGK is looking to grow its domestic car image in the Canadian marketplace via its participation in CASCAR.

"What we're trying to accomplish through our association with CASCAR is to get brand recognition on domestic nameplates when they're racing around the track; the Chevys, the Fords, Pontiacs and Chryslers," continued Tribe. "We want to show that our brand name is on those cars [on decals] so that CASCAR fans across Canada know that our products are used in those applications. We have an internal mandate to grow our market share in the Canadian Domestic markets for spark plugs. We understand the mentality of 'race on Sunday, sell on Monday' works in this market."

Also pleased with the new arrangement is CASCAR President Tony Novotny. "This is very exciting in several ways. NGK's participation in the Super Series' decal contingency program is a direct benefit to the racers and teams as we work to grow CASCAR. Further, their commitment to offer their technical expertise to our staff and the race teams - in order to maximize performance - is truly exciting."

Novotny continued, "We're very pleased to be entering into a five-year arrangement with NGK and we will do everything we can to help them in their goal of increasing their market share in terms of domestic automobiles."

-cascar-