Castrol(R) SYNTEC(R) Outperformers Scholarship Program Inspires and Recognizes America's Passionate Young Car Lovers

Castrol(R) SYNTEC(R) Outperformers Scholarship Program Inspires and Recognizes America's Passionate Young Car Lovers

2005 Program Expands to Award Participants Chance to Flex their Skills and Earn Apprenticeship With Radio and TV Personality Funkmaster Flex

WAYNE, N.J., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans have a lasting love affair with the automobile -- from 1950s hot rodding and James Dean to the "French Connection" chase scene, "Bullitt" and Steve McQueen. And who could forget "Herbie the Love Bug," "Dukes of Hazzard" or "Knight Rider?" Today, the obsession continues with popular reality car shows such as "Pimp My Ride" and "Ride with Funkmaster Flex," yet there remains a growing need for qualified men and women to service the vehicles we love.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050301/CGTU001 )

Responding to this need, Castrol(R) SYNTEC(R) today announced the launch of the 2005 Castrol SYNTEC Outperformers Scholarship Program, a nationwide search that encourages young car enthusiasts to take interest and pursue careers in the automotive service and repair industry, while rewarding them for their passion, hard work and ambition. Now in its fourth year, the program is dedicated to attracting young men and women already thinking about automotive service as a career choice, as well as vehicle lovers who haven't yet considered the opportunities and rewards.

This year, Castrol has partnered with Funkmaster Flex, the most-listened- to DJ in the New York area and host of "Ride with Funkmaster Flex" and "Funkmaster Flex Super Series," both auto-performance-inspiring shows airing on Spike TV. The selected national Castrol SYNTEC Outperformer will earn a career-igniting apprenticeship at Flex's Team Baurtwell Body Shop. Baurtwell team members include expert technicians and die-hard enthusiasts devoted to vehicle customization and performance.

"High-performing cars, trucks and motorcycles make my eyes widen and jaw drop. They're the reason I get so excited about work every day," said Funkmaster Flex. "I'm eager to share my love for vehicles with the next generation of 'Outperformers' because making vehicles look good, sound sweet and perform better only happens through knowledge and dedication to the trade. That's why we're offering the one winning Castrol SYNTEC Outperformer an apprenticeship with Team Baurtwell, an experience they can use now to help build a career for the future."

The 2005 Castrol SYNTEC Outperformers Scholarship program begins March 1, 2005 and continues until June 15, 2005. During that time, young men and women ages 16 to 25 can log on to http://www.syntecoutperformers.com/ , complete a special educational curriculum about synthetic oils and answer a series of short-answer questions surrounding the topic of automotive service and passion for cars. The curriculum is designed to help make entrants credible and knowledgeable sources of information for motor oil by teaching the benefits of synthetic oil on engine performance. The questions provide the opportunity for participants to demonstrate their enthusiasm for automotive maintenance and performance.

Four regional Outperformers will be selected from the entrants and earn a trip to John Force Racing Inc. in southern California, co-headquarters of the 13-time NHRA POWERade series champion. Force has been an Outperformers program advocate and supporter since the program's inception.

Other regional prizes include:

-- Two Tickets to the Automobile Club of southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona -- $1,000 worth of new Mac Tools -- A year's supply (four cases) of Castrol SYNTEC motor oil -- Castrol SYNTEC Outperformers hat, t-shirt and other items -- Subscriptions to Primedia publications -- A framed certificate recognizing successful completion of the curriculum in synthetic motor oils -- Membership into the Castrol SYNTEC Outperformers Club

The one regional winner who "outperforms" the others will receive the apprenticeship with Funkmaster Flex, as well as a $7,500 scholarship to attend a racing, high-performance or automotive education program to build upon their passion for vehicle performance and automotive service knowledge.

According to Mike DeBiasi, Castrol SYNTEC brand manager, "We hope that in addition to meeting and working with Funkmaster Flex, the apprenticeship and scholarship encourages as many hopeful automotive technicians as possible to enter the 2005 Castrol SYNTEC Outperformers Scholarship Program. The initiative is meant to recognize and encourage these young men and women to pursue an occupation that is increasingly more valuable and in demand."

This year's program also involves teachers and school guidance counselors. The automotive instructor or school guidance counselor who encourages the most students to enter the 2005 program will receive a similar prize package as the regional winners, as well as a Castrol SYNTEC racing jacket and 50 cases of Castrol SYNTEC motor oil for school use.

Castrol SYNTEC has assembled a blue-ribbon panel of judges to identify the winners. Judges comprise veteran members of the automotive industry and media, and celebrities including Funkmaster Flex and drag racing legend John Force. Winners will be chosen based upon the uniqueness and strength of the student's automotive talent and experience, academic, vocational and community achievements, and overall passion for working on vehicles. The national and regional winners, and winning instructor or guidance counselor will be announced in August 2005 in conjunction with the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.

BP Lubricants USA Inc. markets premium lubricants and business-building programs directly to independent lube operators, service providers, new car dealers and leading retailers. Our leadership brands include: Castrol(R) GTX(R) -- a premium conventional motor oil; Castrol(R) GTX High-Mileage(TM) -- designed for vehicles with over 75,000 miles; Castrol(R) GTX(R) Start Up -- formulated to provide superior wear protection during the critical start-up period; Castrol(R) SYNTEC(R) BLEND(TM) -- with an added level of synthetic protection; Castrol(R) SYNTEC(R) -- a full-synthetic, super-premium motor oil; as well as our range of commercial transport lubricants and our successful Super Clean(TM) line of specialty products. To find out more about Castrol products and programs, please call 1-888-CASTROL or log on to http://www.castrol.com/us .

For more than a decade, Funkmaster Flex has been the most-listened-to DJ in the New York area reaching more than 2 million listeners every week through his now-nationally syndicated radio program. When he's on the air, 10 percent of all New York radio listeners tune in to his Hot 97.1 station. Flex also hosts a half-hour Spike TV series called "Ride with Funkmaster Flex," which mixes celebrity personalities and car fanatics such as Eminem, Blink 182, 50 Cent and others with elements of car culture, including drag racing events and demolition derbies. The show features Flex's Team Baurtwell transforming several celebrity vehicles with tune-ups, customizations and beyond-your- wildest-dreams accessories. Team members comprise expert technicians and die- hard enthusiasts devoted to vehicle customization and performance. The "Funkmaster Flex Super Series" is Flex's new TV show premiering this year on the same network. The show exposes the world of motorsports to new groups of people by providing up-close views of a new type of stock car racing and candid profiles of emerging drivers. Drivers from across the country compete during a 10-race season for cash and prizes, including Flex's own 1969 Z28 Camaro.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050301/CGTU001 AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: BP Lubricants USA Inc.

CONTACT: Mike Banas of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, +1-312-397-6076, mike.banas@ogilvypr.com

Web site: http://www.syntecoutperformers.com/ http://www.castrol.com/us

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