Found the following in my E-mail box.

It's almost that time ALREADY???

C (with formatting fingers crossed):

XXXXXXXXXXX@sales.picker.com wrote:
Dear Marconi Medical Systems employee,
As we continue to build brand awareness throughout the world, a number of proposals were evaluated to help us build brand recognition in the marketplace. To this end, one of the most effective tools used by companies to build corporate image is the sponsorship of a major event or activity. The Marconi Systems group, headed by CEO Mike Donovan, has been searching for a major event to showcase the Medical Systems, Commerce Systems and Data Systems capabilities.
We are pleased to announce that in a special press conference called today in downtown Cleveland, Mike Donovan, CEO of Marconi Systems, announced the title sponsorship of a CART racing event to be known as the Marconi Grand Prix of Cleveland.
As the attached press release details, this event will be broadcast on July 2 on ABC and ESPN to more than 43 million people in 208 countries. In addition, the event presents the opportunity to entertain customers and employees.
We are excited to have this marque event to showcase our brand to the world. We will share more information in the coming months as it develops.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Bidlack, IMG Motorsports (614) 793-4619
John Cregan, Watt/Fleishman-Hillard (216) 566-7019

MARCONI NAMED NEW TITLE SPONSOR OF
CLEVELAND'S CART GRAND PRIX AUTO RACE
CLEVELAND (January 5, 2000) -- IMG Motorsports and Marconi plc jointly announced today an agreement for Marconi Systems, to become title sponsor of Cleveland's CART racing event.
The CART race weekend, June 30-July 2, 2000, on the 2.106-mile temporary circuit at Burke Lakefront Airport, will now be called the Marconi Grand Prix of Cleveland. Marconi has also agreed to become the title sponsor of the race telecast - which will be broadcast nationally on ABC-TV and throughout the world via ESPN International. The Cleveland race is viewed by more than 43 million people in 208 countries.
Each year, over 150,000 race fans attend the Grand Prix - making the 19-year-old race Cleveland's largest annual special event.
"On behalf of IMG Motorsports, Championship Auto Racing Teams and all Cleveland race fans throughout the world, I want to welcome Marconi to Cleveland and to Champ Car racing," commented IMG Motorsports President Bud Stanner. "Our downtown temporary track event requires tremendous resources to insure viability and stability. Marconi's commitment to one of the world's most entertaining races is great for us and for that we are extremely grateful."
"We are delighted to be associated with the Grand Prix of Cleveland and with the CART Champ Series," said Michael J. Donovan, chief executive officer of Marconi Systems. "Marconi's involvement in this event reflects our company's focus on speed, performance and world-class quality - attributes that the CART Championship Series symbolizes," Donovan added.
Marconi Systems is part of the new Marconi plc, one of the world's fastest growing communications and IT companies, with a strong record of innovation and technological breakthroughs. With 45,000 employees worldwide and sales in over 100 countries, Marconi plc is headquartered in London and appears on the FTSE-100 index of the London Stock Exchange. Marconi plc's two largest business divisions - Systems and Communications - are both headquartered in the United States, where Marconi employs 13,000 people and generates approximately half of its $8 billion in annual sales.
Washington, D.C.-based Marconi Systems is focused on delivering global, systems-oriented, information technology solutions for customers in key markets, including hospitals, major retailers and oil companies, food and beverage companies, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturers, and automotive and aviation industries. Cleveland-based Marconi Medical Systems (formerly Picker International) is one of three businesses that comprise Marconi Systems, along with Marconi Commerce Systems (formerly Gilbarco) and Marconi Data Systems (formerly Videojet).
IMG Motorsports, a division of International Management Group (IMG), is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The motorsports unit of IMG owns and operates several major professional auto races, manages Formula One, NASCAR and CART drivers, and oversees marketing programs for several NASCAR team sponsors.
-30-

Marconi Medical Systems Picker Medical Imaging

Chuck, a road racing fool

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 06, 2000

Answers

By the way, was anyone else disappointed that their car didn't change into a Hover Pod when we entered the 21st century? ;)

-- Servant (public_service@yahoo.com), January 06, 2000.

I 'm not a Cart fan but absolutely Love Nascar!! Get slammed for being a Christian-might as well get slammed for being a fan of the Best driver IMHO of course!! JEFF GORDON #24 Not to mention he is a wonderful role model and just happens to be a Christian along with many other drivers!!

-- (I Believe (Repent@time is now.com)), January 06, 2000.

Chuck

Can't bear to watch CART any more. My heart still hurts for Greg.

BTW, happy new year everyone.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), January 06, 2000.

Racing is an Akronism.

Sorry, the Devil made me do it.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), January 06, 2000.

Yep Racing tires are the ONLY tires made in Akron any more. whodathunkit.

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 06, 2000.