JESSICA WILLARD - DRIVER HANNA MOTORSPORTS “QUEEN OF DIAMONDS” JET FUNNY CAR/DRAGSTER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1/15/99 - Hanna Motorsports of Enfield, Ct, today announces the addition of Jessica Willard, 22, to their growing jet-powered race car entertainment group. Hanna Motorsports currently fields a three car team of jet powered vehicles. These machines travel across the nation appearing at a multitude of venues including drag strips, auto shows, air shows, trade shows, oval tracks, parades, driver/personal appearances, special retail events, grand openings, and much more.

Jessica is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire(1998) with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. Early in 1998, she assumed the driving duties of the new 300 mph Hanna Motorsports “Queen of Diamonds” Jet Dragster. This new machine, introduced with a limited schedule mid-season of 1997 to tracks in the northeast has already run in excess of 300 mph with elapsed times in the 5.20 range.

Al Hanna, driver of the “Eastern Raider” Jet Funny Car stated “Jessica comes from a racing family very similar to ours. She has many of the traits we’re quite familiar with including the drive to succeed in our sport”. Hanna added “Jessica’s recent history both on the track and off speaks highly of her personal goals and how she plans to achieve them.”

Historically, Ms. Willard has a credible background in drag racing. Her parents, Larry and Joyce Willard are active racers. Larry, owner of Willard’s Auto Service in Leominster, MA is accompanied by his wife of 25 years to regional tracks running a converted Pro-Mod ‘57 Chevy in brackets. They plan a return to the Pro-Mod category in the immediate future. Her brother Nick, also races a competitive Super Comp Dragster running well into the low 8 second bracket.

Jessica personally has on track achievements as well. Her first accomplishment of note was becoming the NHRA High School Champion in Division #1 in 1993. She followed that by being chosen to receive the NHRA Sears/Craftsman Scholarship award in 1994. This scholarship was awarded based on academic achievement as well as the recipients personal goals to remain in motorsports after school. Also, in 1994, she was named New England Dragway ‘Rookie of the Year. Prior to the new Hanna Motorsports agreement, she wheeled the 8 second, 160 mph Beretta of Eddie Ianotti at tracks in the northeast.

“This is an excellent opportunity for me to achieve a position in professional drag racing”, stated Jessica. “The thought of joining forces with the Hanna Family and driving this beautiful machine are a bit overwhelming. I look forward to learning from the best in the business.”

Hanna Motorsports will go on a major compaign to introduce Jessica Willard as part of their team in 1999. “It is our goal to secure a relationship with a company that can truly benefit from the history of our program and the unique qualities of Jessica Willard”, stated Al Hanna. “In today’s fiercely competitive marketplace, our program offers great diversity, the jet category is unique in reaching the consumer and our team has the track record to get the job done”. With those factors in place, Hanna Motorsports has already reached an agreement with the Bicycle Division of the US Playing Card Company as a sponsor for the Jessica Willard driven “Queen of Diamonds” machine in 1999.

Look for the Hanna Motorsports team of jet powered vehicles to appear across the nation in 1999 and beyond and watch for Al Hanna, Rich Hanna, and Jessica Willard to dominate the competition both on and off the track.