Joe Gibbs Racing Uses FLUENT CFD Software to Build a Winston Cup-Winning Advantage February 22, 2001, Lebanon, NH - Fluid flow analysis is a critical technology in the high-tech world of Formula One racing. World-class teams, such as Benetton and Ferrari, have large and extremely advanced engineering facilities, where highly trained aerodynamicists and automotive engineers use tools like computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to fine-tune their vehicles by any means that will provide an advantage. Now, CFD technology is being implemented for predictable success in NASCAR and CART racing as well. The 2000 Winston Cup Champions, Gibbs Racing, recently demonstrated how quickly and effectively they could give their team an edge using CFD software from Fluent Inc. CFD is computer-aided engineering software, which simulates fluid (air, liquid, or gas) flow, heat transfer, and chemical reactions. It is used in the automotive and motor sports fields as a "virtual windtunnel" to simulate and improve external aerodynamics, and also to optimize engine performance, air handling and driver comfort, and the performance of a variety of automotive components, such as tires, windshields, fuel cells, and brakes. "Speed is a concern of ours every step of the way. That includes learning to use new software. I was extremely pleased with the ease and speed that I was able to effectively use FLUENT software," says Charles Jenckes, Team Engineer for Gibbs Racing. "I can now analyze powertrain components such as manifold or intake ports from CAD to solution in just one day. The accuracy and robustness of FLUENT, coupled with unlimited technical support from their Ann Arbor-based automotive team, were critical to the quick implementation of CFD, which is new to our industry," he concludes. "Gibbs Racing really embraced the technology and put it to their advantage amazingly fast," says Fluent's Automotive Business Team Manager, Lisa Mesaros, PhD. "We were very excited to be associated with Gibbs and to have watched Bobby Labonte pull into the winners' circle knowing that they used FLUENT to help fuel their success." Fluent Inc. is one of the firms that pioneered CFD 15 years ago, and is the world's largest provider of CFD software. Its software is used by motorsports teams and automotive manufacturers worldwide. Corporate Background Fluent Inc. is a world leader in the rapidly growing field of computerized design and simulation software. Its software is used to predict fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, chemical reaction, and related phenomena. Fluent's software products and services help engineers with detailed product development, design optimization, scale-up, and retrofitting. The software significantly reduces engineering cost while improving the final design of products in applications ranging from design of electronic components and systems to automotive engineering, and from combustion system design to process plant troubleshooting. Fluent's headquarters are located in Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA, with offices throughout the United States. Fluent's Automotive Industry Business Team is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Its European headquarters are located in Sheffield, England with additional offices in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Sweden. Its Asian headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan. Fluent's software is also available around the world through joint ventures, partnerships, and distributors in Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, and most European countries. Graphics Available Graphic images and accompanying captions to support this release can be found on the web at www.fluent.com/news/pr/index.htm by following the links to this release. Fluent Inc. grants permission for use of these graphics and their captions in conjunction with any or all of this press release. For more information, contact: Jennifer Correa Fluent Inc. 10 Cavendish Court Lebanon, NH 03766 (603) 643-2600 Ext. 668 jrc@fluent.com