Valvoline to support GINAF RALLY Power Team and Jan Lammers at Dakar 2016

Barendrecht, The Netherlands - Valvoline™, a brand of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), today announced it will support the GINAF Rally Power Team and their driver, Jan Lammers, at the 2016 Dakar Rally.

Lammers, a former Formula 1 driver, will be driving a Cummins-powered GINAF Truck in the race. He expects that his extensive race track experience will allow him to push through in a top position.

In the 2016 edition of the Dakar Rally, participants will discover a new route across Argentina and Bolivia in what's considered by many to be the toughest land race in the world. The rally attracted more than 550 competitors representing 60 nationalities this year. In the truck race, 55 vehicles will leave the starting line, but it's an open question how many will be able to endure the extreme conditions and reach the finish line. Last year, Valvoline partnered with the GINAF RALLY Power Team for the first time and all three trucks completed the race using Valvoline Premium Blue™ motor oils. The Cummins engines used in the GINAF Rally Power Team trucks use only the endorsed engine oil to make sure they reach the finish line.

"As we celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the Valvoline brand, we are proud to sponsor the GINAF RALLY Power Team and showcase our product portfolio in the world's toughest race," said Alex van Leeuwen, Valvoline marketing director in Europe. "Motor sports is in Valvoline's DNA. But the great thing is that the products used by the Dakar trucks are the same formulation and quality that can be purchased from any official Valvoline distributor, giving you  the ultimate 'Dakar quality' for your equipment."  

About Ashland
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global leader in providing specialty chemical solutions to customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Through our three business units - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Performance Materials and Valvoline - we use good chemistry to make great things happen for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com to learn more.

About Valvoline™

Valvoline is a leading worldwide producer and distributor of premium-branded automotive, commercial and industrial lubricants, and automotive chemicals. It ranks as the #2 quick-lube chain and #3 passenger car motor oil brand in the United States. The brand operates and franchises approximately 940 Valvoline Instant Oil Change^SM centers in the United States. It also markets Valvoline^TM lubricants and automotive chemicals; MaxLife^TM lubricants created for higher-mileage engines, SynPower^TM synthetic motor oil; and Zerex^TM antifreeze. Key customers include: retail auto parts stores and mass merchandisers who sell to consumers; installers, such as car dealers, repair shops and quick lubes; commercial fleets; and distributors.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Valvoline
Thomas Tap
ttap@ashland.com
+31 (0) 611 627 955

™ Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries