LAKEVILLE, IN (January 3) -- Each year, the employees of Hoosier Racing Tire gather to celebrate the past season's accomplishments and learn how to improve their company for the future. The Hoosier Racing Tire year end meeting provides company founders Bob and Joyce Newton, along with several key executives, the chance to thank the employees for another prosperous year and highlight the company's 2001 successes, both on-track and off.

"The year end meeting serves a very important function for us," explained Vice President of Marketing Dennis Sherman. "It brings all the people who make our company operate together so we can assure they are headed in the right direction for the upcoming season. It also gives us a chance to personally salute those individuals who achieved special merit in the year 2000.

The meeting began with a special meal provided by Bob and Joyce. After lunch, Don Newton, Vice President of Manufacturing, and Dennis Sherman, Vice President of Marketing, updated the entire staff on the accomplishments of the company. Newton shared his excitement about the completion of a two-year consolidation program at the company's manufacturing facility and it's resultant stellar production year.

"We are very pleased that now, all of our engineering and management staff are united in one office complex." said Newton. " It has definitely fostered increased communication and cooperation between all members of the manufacturing staff. The results of this have been evident all summer long in both increased production and on-track success."

Sherman backed up Newton's claim by sharing just some of the accomplishments of the 2000 racing season. "Thanks to our dedicated team of employees, we captured our first World of Outlaws Championship, more NASCAR Touring Series Championships than any other manufacturer, and number one tire company status at the Valvoline Runoffs."

The final award provided a special moment for all in attendance. Thirty-one year Hoosier employee Kay Jessup, an accounting and 401K specialist, made her retirement official at the special gathering. In a thoughtful and heartfelt moment, Joyce Newton spoke of Kay's dedication.

"I can remember several times when Kay spent more than 24 hours straight, right here at Hoosier. She never left until everything was done. Although we have butted heads a few times, she has always done anything we asked. We are proud to have Kay working with us."