FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Horsham, England, Tuesday 9^th March 2010

WORLD CHAMPION MAKES LEGEND-ARY RETURN AS 2010 CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER AND TEAM OWNER

Mickel Motorsport Team Owner Fields Two Cars in 2010 UK CPC Legends Championship

World Legends Champion John Mickel continues to excite the UK race fans with the announcement that he will compete in the National series of the pocket rockets, for the 2010 CPC Legends Championships and is determined to compete for the title.

While Mickel gains momentum through continued talks and interest with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams, he admitted he couldn’t resist the allure of the 5/8ths scale coupe and sedan replicas. Mickel’s last Legends tour resulted in both National and World Champion crowns in a sensational 2001 season.

“I see my long term future very much in America in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, but who could resist the chance to have some fun on home ground in a series that delivers the best racing in the UK. With the strength and depth of the series this year, along with a great television and media package, I just couldn’t stay away. It being the 10^th anniversary of my double definitely swayed me too!”

Mickel, who has just returned from a series of extremely positive meetings with NASCAR Truck teams in America, also announced a great line up of sponsors for his Legends campaign on home shores. Long term supporters RS Capp, a provider of technical resource solutions to blue chip companies and the military, return for an impressive 10^th season as Mickel’s personal sponsors. Director Mike Shadwell admitted he was delighted that John’s UK race programme in 2010 will be focused on Legends.

“John has delivered us a superb programme of racing over the past decade. We’ve enjoyed his racing, with its major successes on three continents - there’s never been a dull moment! In fact there have been many proud and exciting moments and we at RS Capp, together with our clients, can’t wait for the season to begin. It’s given us great brand exposure and is an opportunity for us to entertain, do business with, and share great times with those clients of ours who aren’t able to travel to the United States to see John in full flight – we can’t wait!”

Mickel has added a new marketing partner for the forthcoming season in the form of MTS, developers and providers of some of the most sophisticated mobile variable messaging signs available. MTS Sales Director Peter Diamant is delighted with his latest signing - commenting, “At MTS it’s important for us to get our message out there and to explain and demonstrate the innovative, valuable products we have. In John and the Legends Championship we have a proven winner and a national platform that we know our existing and new customers are going to thoroughly enjoy this year.”

MTS will be displaying some of its fascinating range of ground-breaking products at each of the 16 rounds of the UK Championship, with special messaging being displayed in the paddock on the company’s impressive mobile display units.

The CPC Legends Championship gets underway at Cheshire’s Oulton Park circuit on Saturday 27^th March. Speculation is rife over whether Mickel will re-emerge with the coveted Number 4 on the side of his car, the number he won both his National and World titles with in 2010.

For more information call:

John Mickel: +44 (0) 7714 217798

Mike Shadwell, RS Capp + 44

Peter Diamant, MTS + 44

Notes to editors

About John Mickel

John Mickel started racing running on quarter mile ovals, at the tender age of 10. His love for speed became more pronounced as he started to take podium positions in everything he raced, becoming a multi junior champion before the age of 12 on the short ovals.

Before the age of 19, John had already become a World and European Champion, again on short ovals with Superstox, an open wheeled racer similar to American Outlaws.

In 2001, a 1.5 mile oval was built at Rockingham UK, and in Lausitz Germany a 2 mile oval, to bring the speed and thrill of the NASCAR vision of motorsport to Europe. By the end of 2001, John was UK and World Legends Champion (road course) and European SCSA Champion (large ovals - equivalent ASA) with his sights set on his personal ambition to race NASCAR.

John shares his life with his family, wife Lisa and two young daughters, and they now live in Horsham, Sussex.

For more information, visit www.johnmickel.com or follow him on facebook:John Mickel; or Twitter: @johnmickel.

About RS Capp

RS Capp was established in 1992 and has a Blue Chip Client Listing in the Defence and associated sectors. The business is focused on Radars, Communications, Simulation Training and IT. RS Capp is ISO 9001:2008 accredited and has a forecast turnover of around £4 million for 2010.

RS Capp, through its professional management team and over 100 security cleared technical specialist engineers and technicians, have successfully completed contracts in over 14 countries around the world amassing over 400 man years of effort.

The company have delivered projects involving Operation, Training, Maintenance, Equipment & Systems Installation & Commissioning, Repairs and their services have included Project and Technical Management, Site Management, Planning, Quality, Safety and ILS.

About MTS

MTS is part of the Rennicks Group (head office based in Dublin), which has over a quarter of a century of experience in developing and producing state of the art traffic sign technology. A wide and impressive range of products is available including traffic signage, sign fixings, vehicle livery and car licence plates. (www.rennicksuk.com)

MTS’s UK Head office is in Lingfield, Surrey and the company also has a branch in Scotland which ensures a high level of service to our customers wherever they may be within the UK.

Had a great trip to America this week, what a blast – and how many experiences I can share!  It would be one VERY long blog post.  The highlights…had to be the Charlotte Checkers game where we ended up on the ice…and WON a raft race against Team Penske (Charlotte is home base for their stock car operation)…however, I did come down with a cold – so I like to blame it on the fact that I was “on the ice slaving away.” :)

In the above picture, at least my “PR Girl Friday” did it with me – she doesn’t just sign me up for this ridiculousness all on her own! That’s Demi to the right, along with two good friends Noelle & Jason Graves, from Charlotte. Also visiting with several marketing firms & teams in Atlanta to talk about potential NCWTS races in 2010 and 2011, as well as catching up with many old friends from my days running Craftsman Truck Series in the states a few years back.  “Ma” is still running the operation over at GreenLight Racing, and she’ll always take care of me!

It’s back to the grind this week, but a good grind it is.  My UK Legends cars are due in on Monday of week next – off the boat, into the garage for preparation for the first race on March 27th.  We’re busy finishing up press kits, Hero cards and websites to be “print ready” for all of my new interviews and marketing partner calls – and I’m still training for the Virgin London Marathon in April.  That cold is not making me enthusiastic, but a train run is a train run – can’t stop training.  KEEP DIGGIN!

Cheers, JM

Listen to both my race radio interviews LIVE tonight, Monday (Stateside broadcasts) - 5:30pm EST/10:30pm UK on XM Radio’s BurningRubberRadio.com with Andy DeLay, and 8pmEST/1am UK on GarageTalkLive.com with Vince Bonfigli.

Late night 4 the Englishman, but I’m excited to have the chance to keep talking racing!  I’m also looking forward to my trip to Charlotte & Atlanta…early morning for me tomorrow. To the airport I go, Race City USA here I come…

Hi all…I guess we are getting “international” here…I have a PO Box for fan mail & Hero card requests.  For a laugh – great story, my wife Lisa helped set this up with the Royal Mail.  She had to get a letter from the local police, addressed to the RM explaining that because I was a “celebrity,” I need a sensitive box.  Why yes, I am such a celebrity...TOO FUNNY! :)

For UK or European requests, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope:

John Mickel Fan Mail & Hero Card Requests

PO Box 1000, HORSHAM, RH12 9LE, United Kingdom

For US-based requests, please send to:
John Mickel Hero Card Request, c/o Girl Friday PR + Marketing, 1102 Market Street, Fort Mill, SC 29708

From ASA Champion in South Africa to ESPN...in England

It's a laugh some days, how life works. Who knew, a year ago - that my racing life would be taking as many twists and turns as the road course at Watkins Glen in the US! Myself and my family are blessed right now to be surrounded by wonderful people and fantastic support - friends, family & colleagues.

Tonight is the ESPN UK broadcast of the American Speed Association's Freestate 500 back on January 31st, in Welkom, Freestate, South Africa. Kudos to Kevin, Dennis & the hardworking team at the ASA in garnering so many broadcasts around the world of this event, that 100M potential viewers may watch this race. Racing is truly global - and this Englishman is pretty happy about that!

Being the ASA Freestate 500 Champion has helped my momentum this month, quite a bit. I recently did the SkySports broadcast of the Daytona 500 (hopefully next year they'll have to cover me while I'm on the track!), and I've been invited to the BBC Morning Show in the next week. My Facebook "fan page" has grown, as well as Twitter followers, and I'm humbled - not one to talk about myself, it's nice to know that I have support for my renewed US racing career. My run training is moving along - up to an hour on the road. My Virgin Money Giving account for the Rhys Daniels Trust is almost finished, so look for donation page very soon.

I'll be in Charlotte next week, speaking with a variety of people on NASCAR racing - not much I can divulge at this point, but it's coming and coming fast..."positive karma," as my PR staff says! They're right - if you keep putting positive action in place every day, you will reap the rewards. So for those 100M viewers across the world that might take in an inspirational race this week, I am truly excited for the possibilities.

A podium that held the most diverse top 3 ever in motorsports. A field of drivers that represented the full world of motorsports (and the possibility that anyone who WANTS to drive, does have the tools & resources to make it happen, with hard work - much like Johann Spies of South Africa). The first time an Englishman has ever taken a checkered flag in American-style stock car racing.

That gives me chills. Thank you to the ASA for truly breeding "world champions" at the Freestate 500. May it be the start of many, many stories to come from several of those drivers - I cannot wait to see them in 2011, when I defend my title as ASA Freestate 500 World Champion! I will buy a swift half for everyone! Cheers, JM

Team Torquespeed.com & John Mickel, International Stock Car & Legends World Champion, Sky Sports Britain Commentator; Sign Girl Friday PR + Marketing for 2010 US Race Season & Tour

Cambridge, England, UK + Mooresville, NC (February 15, 2010) – John Mickel, recent 2010 ASA Freestate 500 winner, 2001 ASCAR & Legends World English racing champion; in concert with his English team – Torquespeed.com – retained Girl Friday PR + Marketing to handle all public relations, marketing strategy & hospitality for their 2010 debut in NASCAR’s elite Series. The team remains the first English team in history to vie for a spot in the elite stock car racing venue of Camping World Trucks.

“Coming off a very successful trip to South Africa – bringing home the 1^st place trophy – Team Torquespeed.com knew it was time to continue our stateside progress & presence,” said Mickel, from Cambridge, UK. “I’m excited to race in select companion Camping World Truck Series races in 2010, and with ‘Girl Friday’ at our side; we have no choice but continue this pattern of success. She is tenacious & relentless in her pursuit of awareness for her clients. All I have to do is do what I love – DRIVE.”

Demi Clark, Chief Girl Friday + Owner, as agency of record, will handle all public relations, at-track and off-track media relations, branding, social media strategy, team communications, US race preparation & logistics, and hospitality for the London, England, UK-based Torquespeed.com team.

“It was an absolute blast to get to know some of the Torquespeed.com team in South Africa, while I was there working with Marc Davis Motorsports & Tiff Daniels Racing,” said Clark. “I consider John & the guys like family at this point – how refreshing to see that no matter where in the world you race stock cars, the family attitude of this sport remains the same. I can’t wait to see their brilliance in the US, both from a marketability standpoint with sponsors, but also backing it up with their performance on the race track. To see John take the checker and make stock car history in South Africa – that was surreal.”

Mickel & Team Torquespeed.com plan to run a select number of 2010 races in Camping World Truck Series, team & number to be disclosed at a later date; it is their hope to then run an entire 2011 season for their rookie year. Mickel cut his teeth in Camping World Truck Series (then Craftsman) earlier in the decade with Bobby Hamilton, Sr & Bobby Dotter of Greenlight Racing (GLR).

Team Owner Steve Dudman of Torquespeed.com said, “Demi is a breath of fresh air for our race team. She has dogged determination to get our message out to a new, US-based audience & press. We’re excited to see what her passion will translate for us in NASCAR – as we’ve always said, we’ve got the story. It’s just getting to the people who might want to tell it, that will take us to the next level.”

Clark continued, “I call John ‘our racing unicorn.’ After championing many underdogs in racing from a diversity perspective – to include female & African-American drivers – I firmly believe that ‘now’ is the right time for John. It’s my hope that the NASCAR community will be receptive to the first successful English team, & he’s already had a lot of kudos/support from some of the elite Sprint Cup drivers. Not only will American audiences be riveted by a genuine, determined, well-spoken driver/commentator and team – they will also be happily surprised that the man can drive the wheels off an American stock car! That’s just great for our sport, ‘good TV,’ & gives it a true international appeal, much to the likes of Juan Pablo Montoya, Marcus Ambrose & Nelson Piquet, Jr.”

ABOUT JOHN MICKEL:
John Mickel, as the only British driver competing in the elite NASCAR Series (Camping World Truck Series & Nationwide Series hopeful), brings a new level of prestige, dynamism & marketability to the sport – opening up a wider range of companies, sponsors & international appeal. Mickel was the first SCSA (Stock Car Speed Association) champion & currently holds the title of 4 World Legends Championships (the winningest driver in Legends history). He has competed in the NASCAR Camping World (then Craftsman) Truck Series with Bobby Hamilton Racing; ASA National Series events; Lowe’s Motor Speedway events & English oval tracks – finishing with lead lap, top 10 finishes. Most recently, Mickel took the checkered flag at the American Speed Association’s Inaugural Transcontinental Race – the Freestate 500 in Welkom, South Africa. For more information, visit www.JohnMickel.com.

ABOUT TORQUESPEED.COM:

Team Owners Torquespeed.com, in concert with Champion British Race Car Driver John Mickel, brings the first British led, operated, driven & owned NASCAR team to the United States in 2010. Team owners are a quintessential triumvirate of British businessmen & NASCAR enthusiasts – Steve Dudman, Asa Burrows & driver John Mickel. Through winning team attributes; superior equipment & partnerships; proper management & resources; and a dynamic, fresh-faced, talented driver – British & World Champion John Mickel - Team Torquespeed.com will help bring not just a new audience base & storyline to NASCAR, but a competitive race team. For more information, visit www.Torquespeed.com.

ABOUT GIRL FRIDAY PR + MARKETING:

Long known in male-dominated industries, Girl Friday PR + Marketing is run with the infectious enthusiasm of Demi Knight Clark. Unafraid to be a "skirt on the jobsite," Clark challenged the norms early in her career with the world’s largest homebuilder, D.R. Horton Homes. After leading teams & projects plus launching 60+ communities for the homebuilder, Demi chose to venture out on her own in a "down economy." She started her own woman-focused/based PR, marketing & sponsorship firm, Girl Friday. Her first major clients are in the motorsports arena, with a concentration on female & diversity drivers & the passion of that marketing niche. In her “spare time,” she also became a certified Yoga Instructor (RYT); & a published author, of the Snow the Racehorse Series, supporting RacingforWildlife.org with Ryan Newman. Demi also guest commentates for radio & TV broadcasts throughout stock car series, reporting on the progression of female & diversity drivers in the sport. For more info, visit www.GirlFridayPR.com & www.SnowTheRacehorse.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Demi Knight Clark, Girl Friday PR & Marketing

demi@girlfridaypr.com

803.389.7153

Facebook: Demi Knight Clark

Twitter: SnowNumber19

Team TorqueSpeed.com is back in the UK, all men accounted for after an amazing trip.  Just picked up the last team member from the airport this weekend.  What a journey, what a race, what new friends made from all over the world - not to mention great racing.  I'm still on a high, winning the inaugural American Speed Association's Freestate 500 (thanks ASA staff & officials for putting on a great race). Thanks also to the Savannah Cheetah Foundation, Bobby Hartslief & Jackie Lundquist for hosting us with style.

Back to work this week - it's never a dull moment in racing, we race to live.  Mickel Motorsport just announced our three-car team in the UK Legends series...now we're just waiting on cars to arrive and setups. Race schedule starts March 27th, so the shop will be busy& demanding. I also returned to my training regimen - decided to definitely throw my hat in the ring for the Virgin London Marathonin late April.

Stay tuned for more updates, I'll be blogging about my progress on the VLM's marathoner blogs.  I'm privileged to be "racing" with my legs this time, to benefit a wonderful organization - the Rhys Daniels Trust.  My new "PR Girl Friday" out of the US is trying to join me on the run - she's a new distance runner but believes we can do it as a team - so look for more news online.  We've dubbed it the "Pond Challenge" due to US vs. UK.  I think I'll win on time...of course!

In other news, watch the Sky Sports broadcast of the Daytona 500 live this Sunday - I'll be recapping my South Africa experience, as well as serving as race analyst for the broadcast.  Also, watch for updates on the Freestate 500 - it was announced that ESPN.co.uk will also be broadcasting the race in entirety very soon.  I'm also working on my US trip for late February - lots of good things in the works with sponsors and 2010 Camping World Truck races.  2011, get ready for the British invasion all over again! 

Make sure to visit my new fan page on Facebook (search John Mickel), as well as follow my tweets  @johnmickel…fun fan contests to come. We'll see you in the stands or the pits.  Green, green, green - let's go racing!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Horsham, England, Monday 8^th February 2010

John Mickel’s Horsham based MickelMotorsport is set to make a dramatic and welcome return to the UK LegendsChampionship when the series gets under way at Oulton Park on March 27^th.

The Cambridgeshire born sometimeNASCAR driver and recent Freestate 500 winner will field three brand new LegendsCars in the exciting pocket-rocket series.

Talking about the development Mickelcommented “Our expectation is still to bein America racing NASCAR at the end of this year with a full season in 2011 butin the meantime, we wanted to provide our UK commercial partners and ourselveswith some fun and exceptional value; where better to find that than here in thefantastic National Legends Championship.”

Mickel Motorsport last contested theUK Championship in 2001, when John campaigned his number 4 Legend, clinching a superb13 wins on his way to the Championship title. 2001 was a memorable year forMickel, he also lifted the ASCAR oval series championship and stunned theAmericans by beating an all-star field to grab the World Legends Championshipat Infineon Raceway (then Sears Point) in the November of that year.

“WhenI look back at my early career we’ve had some tremendous races in Legends, ourMickel Motorsport partners have always had great times and there’s no doubt wewill be running three very fast cars in this year’s title battle. We’ve got ahuge amount of experience of preparing these cars and I’m keen to pass that onso that the team can compete for another title. We know it won’t be easy but wehave the tools and the knowledge so we’re going to give it our best shot!”

Deals have been signed with driversfor two of the three cars the team will enter; a statement on precisely whowill drive those cars will be made in two weeks, to coincide with additionalsponsor announcements.

The seat in the third team car iscurrently available and Mickel has already received a lot of interest as newsemerged of his teams’ return to the UK Legends; he added “some are drivers who have been in the Championship previously and knowwe deliver fast, reliable cars, others are from different racing backgrounds andthey remember our success and want to benefit from our expertise.”

Mickel Motorsport is still invitingdrivers interested in running with the team to contact him but remainstight-lipped about a return to the series himself “I never say never but for now I want to focus on establishing MickelMotorsport as front-runners in what is an extremely competitive championship.”

Ends.

For information contact

John Mickel: +44 (0) 7714 217798

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

John Mickel, #09 FKTeacher.com/RS CAPP Chevy Monte Carlo driver & 2001 English SCSA Champion, Provides Dramatic 1st finish for South Africa, England & Stock Car Racing History

(January 31, 2010) – John Mickel, 2001 ASCAR & Legends World English racing champion, makes world motorsports history today – a first for England, South Africa & American-style stock car racing by taking the checker at the historic inaugural Freestate 500 at Phakisa Freeway in Welkom, South Africa.

Mickel, born in Cambridge and now living in West Sussex, England, started the weekend strong in both practice & qualifying, impressing his American, Australian & South African competitors by qualifying fourth-fastest 36.643 on Friday in the car fielded by Dick Midgely Motorsports from Victoria, B.C. He ran competitively from the race inception, running in the top 5 for the majority of the race. Overall, Mickel led 5 1/4 laps in the race, with a best time of 37.010 in the #09 FKTeacher.com/RS Capp Chevy. He finished in 1^st place overall and dominated the winner’s podium.

Going green with 25 laps to go, Mickel found himself in fifth place with Geoff Bodine heading the group. A push to the finish line with no fuel, race leader Geoff Bodine headed towards the garage with three to go. Mickel, attached to #90 Toni McCray’s bumper after passing Marc Davis, pulled past the #90 McCray Motorsports Chevy in a dramatic last lap push in a high line around the back stretch of turn 4.

“What better birthday present, turning 39 years old while I’m here at the first race ever in South Africa,” said Mickel. “It’s a great honour to represent England for her first win in American-style stock car racing history.”

“I’m pleased I’ve maintained a superior level of fitness - it was critical in conquering an amazing battle between several seasoned top 5 drivers in a long, hot 207 laps on a 1.5 mile punishing, challenging track,” Mickel continued. The Phakisa Freeway oval, coincidentally, was modelled after Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s 1.5 mile oval – known by many top NASCAR drivers as a gruelling track.

“We came here with a firm goal of competing regularly at the NASCAR level, and this has given us a tremendous platform to launch that effort & also help demonstrate that I have the talent & ability to perform at that level,” Mickel continued. “Without help from the FKTeacher.com & RS CAPP family, we wouldn’t be here today in the winner’s circle.”

For more information about the historic race and other finishes, visit www.asa-racing.com.

ABOUT JOHN MICKEL:
Mickel was the first SCSA (Stock Car Speed Association) champion in 2001, & in 2002 he ventured over to the U.S. to try his hand at American stock car racing. He has competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Bobby Hamilton Racing, ASA National Series events, Lowe’s Motor Speedway events & English oval tracks – finishing with lead lap, top 10 finishes. For more information, visit www.TorqueSpeed.com.

ABOUT DICK MIDGELY MOTORSPORTS:
NASCAR/ASA Car Owner Dick Midgley is no stranger to international motorsports, with several Australian International races under his belt – running the last 5 years of NASCAR Series racing in Australia. He has several oval & road course race wins, plus championship trophies & numerous awards.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Demi Knight Clark, Girl Friday PR & Marketing
demi@girlfridaypr.com

803.389.7153

From www.asa-racing.com -
It was a historical day at Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom, Free State South Africa as John Mickel from the United Kingdom won the first ever ASA Transcontinental Series Free State 500 in front of an appreciative crowd. 

Geoff Bodine had a four-second lead with three laps to go as it appears he ran out of fuel handing the lead over to Toni McCray. 

On the last lap, Mickel would get past McCray for the lead and go on to win the race. More details to come!!!!

Pos    No.    Name   
1    09    John Mickel    207   
2    90    Toni McCray    207  
3    96    Marc Davis    207   
4    08    Rick McCray    207   
5    900    Johan Spies    207   
6    73    Gary Lewis    207   
7    19    Tiffany Daniels    207   
8    55    Greg Barnhart    206   
9    8    Geoff Bodine    206  
10    68    Danie Correia    204   
11    20    Gugu Zulu    202   
12    97    Mark Ebert    202  
13    41    Ron Norman    198  
14    98    Shaun Richardson    176   
15    22    Johan Cronje    155   
16    F22    Russ Blakeley    128  
17    61    Tim Olson    115  
18    00    Johan Coetzer    88   
19    F66    Steve Carlson    54   
20    52    Chris Wimmer    38   
21    11    Jaco Correia    28   
22    80    Mark Shaffer    28  
23    85    Lance Fenton    12   
24    88    Don Uhlir 1

More details soon,

John has had a great qualifying run at Phakisa Speedway. For more information, visit the ASA news article. More information will be available shortly,

The Frances King School of English has teamed up with Sussex-based multiple world motor racing champion John Mickel for the 2010 season.

The school in London, which is accredited by the British Council and has been delivering high quality English language tuition since 1973, is seizing the chance to gain valuable exposure through John’s International on track activities.

Commenting on the exciting news, Francis King School of English Managing Director Sean Morgan said, “I’ve been aware of John’s tremendous record of achievement in all sorts of Motorsport for some time. His International schedule and our exciting development plans overseas dovetail wonderfully. I’m certain it will provide a real focal point for us and our students during the season.”

Sean Morgan went on to say “As an English Language School opening up a new business in South Africa it made perfect sense to us to combine with John, especially as he is the only English driver to be invited to participate in the race.” Mickel will pilot the number 09 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR that delivers almost 500 brake horsepower.

John will be in Francis King School of English colours for the first time later this month in South Africa, on the 1.5-mile D-Shaped oval at the Phakisa Circuit. NASCAR-experienced Mickel will take up his grid position for the Free State 500 at 1pm on January 31^st 2010.

“The fact that this is John’s first race in 2010 and that it is in South Africa is great news for us” added Owen Phillips. Owen, who is leading the launch of Francis King’s internet-based English Training in South Africa, is also thrilled with the news. “Frances King is proud to introduce FK Teacher into South Africa, to cater to the need that exists in this country for internet-based English training. By linking up with John we’re going to be able to use the high-profile race to communicate what FK Teacher is all about, and how our unique and highly effective online learning system benefits people who want to improve their English. The system provides the student with a sophisticated, user-friendly web platform, and an innovative learning approach, as well as personal contact with a tutor."

The Phakisa Circuit is South West of Johannesburg and is home to MotoGP’s South African Motorcycle Grand Prix.

JOHN MICKEL TO REPRESENT THE UNITED KINGDOM AT THE ASA FREE STATE 500 SOUTH AFRICA EVENT

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Nov 4, 2009) - The upcoming American Speed Association Transcontinental Series Free State 500 at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom, South Africa on Sunday, January 31, 2010 will be a true international competition. John Mickel, a champion driver from Cambridge, UK has accepted his invitation to compete in the inaugural event.

“I felt very privileged to receive a phone call from Dennis Huth asking me to race in such a prestigious event,” Mickel said about receiving an invitation from the ASA President. “As a racing driver, I love to get behind the wheel whenever I can but it is even more exciting to be involved in an international motorsport contest especially as it will be the first ever ASA race to venture outside North America. Having been involved in the first ever race in SCSA when it was launched in Europe, I have an understanding of how exciting and important an event like this can be to the drivers, locals, businesses and authorities and most of all showing the fans how thrilling oval racing can be.”

Mickel was the first SCSA (Stock Car Speed Association) champion in 2001 and in 2002 he ventured over to the United States to try his hand at American stock car racing. In 2004, he competed in the American Speed Association National Series events at Charlotte and Atlanta where he finished on the lead lap in both events. Mickel said that the SCSA was a European version of ASA when it was launched in 2001, “We were hopeful that it could become the European stepping stone to oval racing in the US. During the years that we ran in the SCSA Championship, we had many victories including the inaugural Championship title. This put us in a great position to place our experience in the States. I was involved in SCSA from the very beginning and I helped coach the European drivers through what we called "Rookie Training.” I hope that all the South African drivers enjoy the experience and I wish them every success in becoming familiar with racing on super speedways.”

In 2005, he made his debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Texas Motor Speedway driving for Bobby Hamilton Racing. Since that time, he has made six other starts with the last coming in 2008 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “The experience we gained from working with teams in the US was invaluable and it created a platform for us to build upon,” Mickel said. “I loved every second of it and it makes me hungry for more involvement and our plan is to do a full season in NASCAR.”

That hunger has been well noticed by famous car owner Dick Midgley. Midgley is very familiar with taking American stock car racing overseas has he has ventured with Dennis Huth to past events in Australia and Japan along with preparing Trucks in the past for Mickel. He is excited to be preparing a car for Mickel for the ASA Free State 500. “He can definitely drive, he has the experience and he has plenty of seat time in a car,” Midgley said. “The thing that really stands out is that he has the desire. I really like his attitude and I think he can get the job done. I know that John would like to come back and do more ASA racing in the United States.”

“John will be a very valuable asset for our event,” Dennis Huth, ASA President said. “Not only with his talent behind the wheel but with his coaching experience to young European drivers, the South African drivers will learn a lot from him as well as he will take away a lot as well from this adventure. He also has experience as a television commentator in auto racing, so he will be a great communicator with the world media covering this event.”

Most of Mickel’s experience has come on oval tracks in Europe, “Oval racing in the UK is becoming more popular thanks to the live coverage of NASCAR on Sky Sports television. Small oval racing has always been popular amongst drivers here, which is where my racing experience comes from, however it would be good to see far more speedways in the UK,” Mickel explained. “The European super speedways are less banked than many in the US. The European tracks are much like Indianapolis or Pocono. The typical US super speedways such as Charlotte and Atlanta have much steeper banking making them much faster tracks. But nothing can compare to the US fan base in motorsport where the whole family follows the season and sets up a home at each track with their barbecues and beers.”

“This event is set to be a ‘Championship Between the Continents' and the South African Government wants to make it one of the premier motorsport events in the world,” Mickel exclaimed. “I am looking forward to working with the South African drivers and exchanging knowledge and experience with them and I am very hopeful that I will have a chance to explore a beautiful country. On track, I will be giving 100%.”

You can learn more about John Mickel by either visiting www.johnmickel.com or www.torquespeed.com.

The American drivers invited will not only get a chance to compete on one of the finest racetracks outside of the United States, but will enjoy many off-track opportunities to see the various sights of South Africa; this includes a private tour of “Savannah” the wildlife preserve that holds the distinction of being just one of three accredited worldwide breeders of the Cheetah.

To learn more about Phakisa Freeway, visit www.phakisa.com. You can also get a two-lap ride around the Phakisa Freeway Oval by visiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDtRvWVCypI.

To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Fla.-based American Speed Association call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from all the racetracks and regional tours involved in the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com.

ASA™, ASA Racing™  American Speed Association® are trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC. ASA International, LLC or Racing Speed Associates, LLC are not related to or affiliated with ASA Late Model Series, LLC.

Largest Dedicated Kärcher Dealer in the UK joins forces with leading UK truck preparation and race team, Torquespeed.

Torquespeed the European based racing team and Chemtec a Kärcher Center have announced a business partnership, working together until the close of the 2009 race season. “It is very exciting to be working with  Chemtec as I feel that their product range both complements our current partners and will offer them unique market placement in our field for both Home user and Professional users.” Said John Mickel MD for Torquespeed. “We are looking forward to our first race in association with Kärcher Center Chemtec at Rockingham Motor Speedway on 6th September where we can show our alliance with Kärcher Center Chemtec on the circuit. We are really optimistic that this is the beginning of a long and strong partnership which will grow in future years.”

On the 9th 10th and 11th October,  in association with Chemtec will be hosting an official opening weekend of  their Kärcher Center in the UK at their premises in Stanmore, Middx and John Mickel will be present.

Malcolm Setton, MD for Chemtec said “With our support in other areas of motorsport John approached me with an idea of the partnership and how this great opportunity could work for both parties. This together with the opening of our first Kärcher Center in the UK will be a great platform from which we can both push forward and certainly a new level of cleanliness will now be brought to the Pick-up Truck Series!”

Welding specialists Lincoln Electric join forces with leading UK truck preparation and race team, Torquespeed.

Lincoln electric is delighted to announce the launch of a new partnership bringing together successful autosports team Torquespeed with the leading manufacturer of welding equipment and consumables.

SCSA Champions and 4 x World Champions; the Torquespeed team have been at the forefront of truck racing in the UK for many years. Torquespeed stand for teamwork and performance, and with this attitude they earned the first 1-2-3 podium sweep in the SCSA Championship. Torquespeed are determined not to stop there and the team recently launched into the famous US NASCAR circuit gaining valuable experience for future success.

John Mickel, Director of Torquespeed said ‘Its great to have a business partnership with Lincoln Electric. It is a perfect fit for a racing team and they were involved with us through Torquespeed USA in the NASCAR project and we are looking to build on things for 2010”.

David Kirkwood, Marketing Communications Manager of Lincoln Electric added “This new partnership with Torquespeed will bring together our wealth of experience in this field. We are committed to helping our new partner by providing help and support where it is needed most and are looking forward to an exciting future working with Torquespeed”.

With many years providing equipment & trackside support to many of the NASCAR & CART racing teams, Lincoln Electric can offer their new partner unique expertise and a range of equipment developed specifically for the autosports industry. And with Torquespeed now on-board, experience and knowledge from both sides can be shared and developed to mutual benefit.

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products. With a worldwide distribution network covering more than 160 countries. For more information on Lincoln Electric’s extensive product range log on to: www.lincolnelectric.eu

For more information on Torquespeed please visit www.torquespeed.com or www.johnmickel.com