CADILLAC AIMS FOR PODIUM WITH IMPROVED NORTHSTAR LMP 02 AND ALTERED DRIVER LINE-UP IN WASHINGTON GP

WASHINGTON, July 19-21, 2002 – Team Cadillac is looking forward to its first ALMS race since the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. Not only is it the first time in ALMS history that a street race is staged, but it is also the first time this happens in the United States capital of Washington, D.C. On top of that, Cadillac is the title sponsor of this unique event.

"We are especially pleased to be a part of bringing the most competitive series in international endurance racing to the nation's capital," said Mark R. LaNeve, Cadillac general manager. "Exciting things are happening at Cadillac these days and our participation in the ALMS with our two Cadillac Northstar LMP 02 prototype cars is a means to connect with luxury customers. It's a program that demonstrates endurance, durability and technology."

"We are working with our Cadillac dealers in the Washington, D.C. vicinity to provide opportunities for the entire area to enjoy this unique event through special promotions and coverage," added Steve Rosenblum, brand manager for racing.

The ambitions of Team Cadillac are clear: finish on the podium at all the races the teams enters between now and the end of the season. Those races are the Cadillac Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. on July 21; the Grand Prix of Mosport in Canada on August 18; the Monterey Sports Car Championships in Laguna Seca on September 22 and the Petit Le Mans season finale in Road Atlanta on October 12. A possible entry in the Grand Prix of The Americas in Miami on October 5 is being evaluated.

To try and achieve its goals, the team embarked on an extensive testing program immediately after Le Mans. "We went from Le Mans straight to Clermont Ferrand in France to test with Michelin, and from there on to Kershaw, South Carolina and then on to Road Atlanta," Cadillac LMP Group Manager Doug Duchardt explained. "We looked at our new downforce package and suspension characteristics at Clermont and followed that up with a handling and cooling test at Kershaw. Temperatures at Kershaw were in the upper 90's (well over 30°C) and gave us a good idea of a worst-case scenario for cooling at Washington. We followed up on some cooling concerns at Road Atlanta. The revised aero package felt a lot better at Kershaw, but a better test will be Atlanta and Mosport."

Cadillac Northstar LMP 02 designer Nigel Stroud explained the new improved aerodynamics: "We have modified the nose profile which allows us to add more effective/aggressive dive planes. The splitter leading edge profile has been altered and the overhang increased to create a more effective low speed downforce. Furthermore we have re-positioned the rear wing forward to match the splitter and have thereby moved the center of pressure forwards enabling more flap angle to be utilized."

The changes to the car are not the only new features when the Cadillacs take to the track in Washington, because while Eric Bernard and Emmanuel Collard share the #7 Northstar LMP 02 as usual, the #8 car will be driven by Max Angelelli and Christophe Tinseau. In Mosport and Laguna Seca, Angelelli will share the driving duties with JJ Lehto.

"We'll give each pilot a chance to drive the all-new Cadillac Northstar LMP 02 prior to Petit Le Mans," Team Cadillac management member Wayne Taylor said. "And we'll get JJ Lehto more time in the car and the opportunity to work with the team. There is a lot to learn from a new car even as we progress through the season. We want to give Team Cadillac every opportunity to achieve success in the races remaining with a special eye on the Petit Le Mans race to close the year."