BOSCH, FIRESTONE TO SPONSOR DETROIT BELLE ISLE GRAND PRIX RACES; EVENT WELCOMES ADDITIONAL PARTNERS

As world-class auto racing returns to the City of Detroit for the first time in six years, the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is excited to partner with two of the most established and well-respected companies in the automotive industry.

The fastest three days in Detroit will take place on Labor Day weekend, August 31-September 2, 2007 as the beautiful Raceway on Belle Isle Park road course will host the first Detroit Grand Prix since 2001. Event officials are proud to announce that both Robert Bosch LLC and Firestone have signed on as presenting sponsors for the two races that will highlight the 2007 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, organized and promoted by a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, whose chairman is Roger Penske.

Bosch, headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan ? just north of Detroit ? will sponsor the American Le Mans Series race at Belle Isle. The Detroit Sports Car Challenge presented by Bosch is Round 10 of the 12-race American Le Mans Series schedule. Following qualifying for all four classes of American Le Mans Series racing on Friday, August 31, the exotic sports cars featuring such well-known manufacturers as Audi, Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Corvette, Ferrari, Panoz and Porsche will race in the afternoon on Saturday, September 1 at Belle Isle.

Focusing its sponsorship of the Grand Prix on promoting clean diesel power technology, Bosch knows the world-class racing in the American Le Mans Series provides the perfect platform for demonstrating its commitment to providing innovative products to its customers. Bosch?s clean diesel technology is a key innovation that?s race-proven on the Audi Sport NA diesel-powered Audi R10 vehicles of the American Le Mans Series.

?Bosch is proud to team with the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix to bring motorsport racing back to the City of Detroit,? said Chris Qualters, Director of Diesel Marketing for Robert Bosch LLC. ?Our sponsorship of the American Le Mans Series race serves as a great opportunity to showcase clean diesel technology to racing fans and consumers alike in terms of improved fuel economy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and driving fun.?

Firestone is the Official Tire of the IndyCar Series and every one of the powerful openwheel machines competing at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will race on Firestone Firehawk racing radials. Celebrating its 150th IndyCar event on race weekend in Detroit, Firestone will sponsor the Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone on Sunday afternoon, September 2.

?Firestone Racing is thrilled to serve as presenting sponsor of the inaugural Detroit Indy Grand Prix Presented by Firestone,? said Al Speyer, Executive Director of Motorsports for Bridgestone. ?This race gives us an excellent opportunity to increase exposure for our brand in a key automotive industry market. Our Original Equipment group is based in Detroit, and they have taken an active role in promoting the event and are utilizing it as a platform for community-oriented activities. Like many in the Detroit area, Firestone Racing has missed having this event on the schedule the past six years, and we are happy to see it return. And not only to return, but to come back under the auspices of Roger Penske and his superb organization at that. I have no doubt that with his leadership, this year?s race will be the best that Belle Isle has ever seen, and we look forward to returning for many years to come.?

Known for consistency, reliability and durability in the racing tire industry, Firestone has set the standard for engineering and service in the paddock and along pit lane. The company will entertain around 600 dealers and clients at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and Firestone will also host a number of local children on Friday as part of its ?Racing for Kids? community relations program.





The Detroit Belle Isle Grand also welcomes several other key partners who will play significant roles during the course of the three-day Labor Day weekend motorsports festival. Comerica Bank will sponsor Free Prix Day on Friday, August 31. Free Prix Day presented by Comerica Bank brings back a long-standing Detroit Grand Prix tradition of allowing fans to come and watch all of the racing and entertainment options available on the opening day of activity at the Grand Prix free of charge. Meijer joins the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix family as the sponsor of the Meijer Family Fun Zone. The family-friendly area will feature exhibits and interactive displays for both children and adults that will operate all weekend long.

Charter One Bank is also on board as sponsor of the premiere chalet area at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. The Charter One Bank Fountain Chalets and Fountainside Suites surround the beautiful Scott Fountain, a signature landmark at Belle Isle Park. General Motors? Chevrolet Division is also a partner of the event with Corvette serving as the Official Vehicle of the 2007 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. A special Corvette Corral with over 300 Corvettes will be featured on site through the weekend. The 2007 Corvette Z06 will pace the American Le Mans Series Detroit Sports Car Challenge presented by Bosch on Saturday and it will also lead the parade laps prior to the start of Sunday?s Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone.

?We are proud to announce several of our sponsors for the 2007 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix,? said Bud Denker, Event Chairman. ?Over the next several weeks we will be announcing many more of the important sponsor relationships for the event.? To learn more about the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix please visit www.detroitgp.com.

About Bosch
In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, thermo-technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs 24,750 associates in more than 80 primary and 20 associated facilities throughout the region with reported sales of $8.8 billion in 2006. For more information on the company, visit www.bosch.us.

About Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC:
Nashville-based Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world?s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America. For more information on the company, visit www.bosch.us.