SunTrust Talks ‘Racing Strategy’ With Stars of Karting Competitors

July 30, 2007

ATLANTA (July 30, 2007) – The dog days of summer have descended upon the 2007 racing season. As championships in major motor racing series around the world begin to take shape, including those involving the young competitors of the Snap-On Stars of Karting presented by the Indy Racing League, SunTrust, the Official Bank of Motorsports, is set to talk a little Racing Strategy.

In a companion piece to the recently released brochure entitled Business of Motorsports, SunTrust offers tips on Racing Strategy to the Stars of Karting community. The brochure comes out just in time for this year's championship stretch with the help of veteran racer and three-time sports car champion Wayne Taylor, whose new team bears his name and campaigns the #10 SunTrust Pontiac Riley on the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series where, led by Italian veteran driver Max Angelelli, it is hot on the heels of its second Rolex Series title in the last three seasons.

As his racing career has evolved over the last three decades of driving for championship teams and playing various roles in managing and running world-class racing organizations for major manufacturers and sponsors around the world, Taylor will be the first to tell young competitors that the ability to go fast on the race track is just the tip of the iceberg on the road to a successful motorsports career. In SunTrust's Racing Strategy, Taylor outlines nine key areas for promising young racers to approach strategically in pursuit of their goals.: preparation, training, eating and sleeping, mindset, focus, technology, the team, business at the track, and of course, racing strategy.

In the area of preparation, young competitors are told to "put time into everything that you will do to win," and to pursue absolute perfection through thorough preparation. "By preparing your car to perfection, working on your racing strategy, and studying the race track and your competition, you'll be on the fast track to the podium," the brochure says.

Just as important as preparation, young racers are told, are lifestyle choices and mental focus away from the track and the race shop. A fit mind and body, fueled by a proper diet and rigorous exercise, is a major contributor to success on the race track, as is a commitment to getting plenty of rest, particularly on competition weekends. Likewise, Taylor points to a healthy mental outlook and mastering the ability to focus on much more than driving as essential to getting positive results. "Always remain positive about your ability to win," the brochure says. "Don't let excitement and race track drama take control of your emotions. Remain calm and you'll have an edge on the competition. Stay determined. Passion and a hunger to win will help you get a little bit extra out of yourself and others." Outside the race car, Taylor says, racers need to be mindful of the need to be thoughtful, patient and dedicated when dealing with others key to their racing efforts – engineers and sponsors, among them.

Technology and the understanding of it has gone hand-in-hand with winning on the race track as the highest levels of the sport continue to become increasingly more sophisticated in all respects. Understanding technology is a necessary part of the young racer's arsenal on the road to championships. Young racers also are told of the need to be savvy about surrounding themselves with good people and being an inspiration to the team. "You're the driver, and you're probably pretty good," the brochure says. "But no matter how good you think you are, you still need a good team behind you. That begins with being a good person yourself."

Making the time to stay on top of business matters at the track is an oft-overlooked contributor to present and future racing success, Taylor says, adding that without a sponsor, racers can't race, much less win.

Finally, Taylor asks the all-important question, "Are you going for a championship or just a win?" Racers are instructed not to make a name for themselves as a crasher. "What are you willing to risk to win the race? Are you willing to risk a crash?" he asks. "Although it's a part of racing, crashing doesn't bring results and may not help you become successful. Don't make a name for yourself as a crasher. Instead, make safety a part of your strategy."

Racing Strategy, as well as its companion piece detailing the Business of Motorsports are made available to the Snap-On Stars of Karting community through SunTrust Bank, the Official Bank of the series for the second year. To learn more about SunTrust, Official Bank of Motorsports and its specialized banking services, go to http://www.suntrust.com/motorsportsbanking and http://www.suntrustracing.com/.

SunTrust Banks, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation's largest banking organizations, serving a broad range of consumer, commercial, corporate and institutional clients.  As of March 31, 2007, SunTrust had total assets of $186.4 billion and total deposits of $123.4 billion.  The Company operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a full array of technology-based, 24-hour delivery channels.  The Company also serves customers in selected markets nationally.  Its primary businesses include deposit, credit, trust and investment services.  Through various subsidiaries the Company provides credit cards, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, equipment leasing and capital markets services.  SunTrust's Internet address is suntrust.com.