1st June 2005 - Ron Sledge, Motorsports Expert, to Join Affinia Group

Motorsports expert Ron Sledge has accepted the position of Director, Motorsports Sales & Race Team Relations for Affinia Group Inc., effective today.

“Ron has nearly 30 years of sales and engineering experience, 20 of them working directly with virtually all the top teams in NASCAR.  He brings great value to our Affinia motorsports program,” said Jerry McCabe, Vice President of Communications and Marketing Services for Affinia.  “Ron understands racing as a sport and an industry.  He is the ideal liaison between race teams and our Wix, Raybestos and Spicer product and engineering departments.“

Sledge will establish and maintain relationships in the engine and chassis shops of all NASCAR race teams, strategically maximizing use and sales of Affinia filtration, brake and chassis products by NASCAR race teams.  He will help manage product distribution, support race teams at NEXTEL Cup events, and handle all at-track aspects of the Raybestos Rookie of the Year and Wix Lap Leader programs.

Sledge began working with NASCAR and its race teams when he joined the Michigan Engine Bearing company in 1985.  He stayed with the organization as it went through various mergers and acquisitions, up through the current structure of Dana Corporation.  Prior to joining Affinia, Sledge was with the Clevite Engine Parts division of Dana, where he directed all motorsports activities, including the popular Engine Builder Showdown program.

Sledge holds a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering from Middle Tennessee State University, and ASE Certification for engine block/machining.

Affinia Group Inc. is a global supplier of top quality automotive components for under hood and under vehicle applications.  In North America the Affinia family of brands includes Wix filters, Raybestos and Aimco brake products, and McQuay-Norris and Spicer chassis parts.  South American and European brands include Nakata, Urba and Quinton Hazell.  Affinia has operations in 17 countries and over 13,000 people dedicated to keeping the world’s wheels turning.  For more information, visit www.affiniagroup.com

Source: Affinia Group Press Release