PUROLATOR JOINS BASS AS PREMIER SPONSOR OF TOURNAMENT TRAIL

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Purolator, a leading national brand of ArvinMeritor Inc., and BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, announced today that Purolator is the Official Oil and Air Filter of BASS.

Purolator's sponsorship will extend to all levels of the CITGO Bassmaster Tournament Trail, including on-site tournament presence, boat sponsorship, youth programs and conservation efforts, as well as heavy presence in BASS's television, print and internet media outlets.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Purolator," said Marlen Silverii, Vice President of Global Business Strategies for Purolator.  "BASS is a unique and exclusive market for Purolator, and provides a significant opportunity to reach an untapped source of automotive do-it-yourselfers."

Purolator will be the title sponsor of the highly coveted "Purolator Big Bass Prize," which rewards the angler who catches the biggest single fish during each day of a BASS event.  Purolator will fund the daily big bass awards for all competitive divisions at all BASS tournaments and will also add incremental funds for a new "Purolator Big Bass of the Tournament" award to the angler catching the biggest bass of the tournament.

"We are delighted to have Purolator on board with us for the 2004 Tournament Trail," said Dean Kessel, Vice President and General Manager of BASS.  "We are very excited that, through the support of Purolator, the Big Bass prize money has increased substantially.  We are certain that with the addition of Purolator, the Tournament Trail will continue to reach new heights."

In the past, BASS has paid approximately $87,000 in Big Bass awards.  Purolator will boost that amount to over $140,000.  The CITGO Bassmaster Tour and Bassmaster Elite 50, as well as the Open and Federation Championships, will have a "Purolator Big Bass of the Tournament" feature on each telecast of "The CITGO Bassmasters" in 2004.

Purolator is a primary brand name of ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Aftermarket, a global automotive aftermarket group providing exhaust, filter, lift support and ride control products to its customers. In North America, ArvinMeritor LVA markets its products under the Arvin, Gabriel, Purolator, StrongArm and Supreme Performance brand names, as well as various private labels, to the full range of aftermarket customers including retailers, distributors and installers. ArvinMeritor LVA is headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., and is a division of ArvinMeritor Inc. Purolator's primary manufacturing and distribution center is located in Fayetteville, N.C.

BASS is the world's largest fishing organization, sanctioning more than 20,000 tournaments worldwide through its Federation.  In 2004, BASS will introduce the all-new Bassmaster Elite 50 Series, a four-event, no-entry-fee circuit featuring a $1.6 million prize purse for the world's best anglers. The CITGO Bassmaster Tournament Trail presented by Busch Beer is the oldest and most prestigious pro bass-fishing tournament circuit and continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism and sportsmanship as it has since 1968.

Sponsors of the CITGO Bassmaster Tournament Trail presented by Busch Beer include CITGO Petroleum Corp., Busch Beer, Purolator, Triton Boats, Skeeter Boats, Mercury Marine, Yamaha Outboards, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Lowrance Electronics, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, MotgorGuide, Bass Pro Shops, Progressive Insurance, and BankOne.

Associate Sponsors include G3 Boats and Bryant Heating and Air Conditioning.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (334) 551-2375 or visit www.bassmaster.com.