SYLVANIA Lights the Way for NASCAR Team Haulers

LOUDON, N.H., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- It's one thing for NASCAR drivers to avoid crashing on the racetrack. It's another to avoid mishaps on the way to each race.

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As the NASCAR haulers left Loudon after the SYLVANIA 300, new rays of light were shining thanks in part to SYLVANIA. The leader in automotive lighting provided 25 NASCAR teams with a set of SilverStar® ULTRA headlights for its 'Hauler Headlights for Safer Nights' initiative.  

"With all the hours and miles the teams dock on the road, night-time driving visibility is crucial. Fall is right around the corner, and there is still another month and a half to go before the race season officially ends, so hauler drivers will be spending more time driving in the dark," said Joe Verbanic, Marketing Manager for SYLVANIA. "We know it's critical for drivers to have excellent visibility so that they can see better and are able to recognize hazards like debris, traffic distractions, animals, and most importantly, pedestrians. Whiter, brighter headlights benefit all drivers and should become a staple for those who are either uncomfortable driving at night or could benefit from an improved field of vision."  

Several NASCAR teams are participating in the safety effort. They all agreed to spend a few extra minutes swapping out their old headlights for a set of SilverStar® ULTRA headlights by SYLVANIA before leaving the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

"The SilverStar headlights that SYLVANIA provided the team haulers at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this past weekend should be a great benefit to the hauler drivers as they travel nationwide," said Kerry Tharp, NASCAR Director of Communications for Competition. "Safety on the roads is paramount for these drivers in order for them to deliver the cars and equipment to the race teams each week. They travel thousands of miles during the year and much of that driving is done at night. Being able to rely on quality headlights from SYLVANIA provides a tremendous service to these teams."

The SilverStar® ULTRA headlights will allow hauler drivers to see better at night. Research shows they provide up to 40 percent increased down road visibility, up to 50 percent increased side road visibility and up to 50 percent brighter light compared to worn standard halogen headlights.

For NASCAR fans interested in learning more about headlight safety, SYLVANIA offers the following tips on maintenance:  

• Make a Pit Stop – Lights don't just burn out. They dim overtime. So be sure to stop and check them out. Park on a level surface facing five feet from a building wall or a garage door. Then, turn your headlights on. If the circles of light are bright and white, you are good to go! If they're yellow or dim, it's time to swap out your bulbs.
• Take the Points Lead – If you want to see better and farther down the road, consider upgrading. SilverStar® ULTRA bulbs by SYLVANIA deliver the whitest and brightest light of all SYLVANIA halogen products.
• Get Your Car Hooked Up – On the track, this means ensuring that all parts are working well together. That's important on everyday roadways too, which is why SYLVANIA experts recommend changing your headlights in pairs. If one headlight has dimmed or is burnt out, it's likely that the other one is not far behind.  

For more information about SYLVANIA's full line of headlight replacement bulbs or to view an online catalog, visit www.sylvania.com/auto. You can also download SYLVANIA's free iPhone app at the iTunes store, which makes it easy for drivers to find the correct replacement headlights, signal bulbs and other auto bulbs for their cars, trucks, vans or SUVs. SYLVANIA products can be found at major automotive retail outlets.  

About OSRAM SYLVANIA Automotive Lighting

OSRAM SYLVANIA, together with OSRAM GmbH, is the world leader in automotive lighting for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket.  The company's global automotive lighting division has its principal North American operations in Hillsboro, N.H., with nearly 700 employees. In addition to TS 16949, this facility has also achieved ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications. Automotive Lighting designs, develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art automotive light sources, including auxiliary, advanced halogen, LED and high-intensity discharge lighting for interior, exterior and forward lighting applications. More than 400 lamp types are produced for cars, trucks, and electronics in facilities throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Automotive applications for OEMs are marketed under the OSRAM brand while products for the aftermarket are sold under the SYLVANIA brand.  

About OSRAM SYLVANIA

OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and specialty products that feature innovative design and energy saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.sylvania.com.

SOURCE OSRAM SYLVANIA