DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 7, 2006) -- Officials from MOTO-ST and SunTrust Banks, Inc., one of the largest commercial banking organizations in the United States, announced today that SunTrust has become the title sponsor of the new MOTO-ST motorcycle endurance racing series.

Set to contest its inaugural race Oct. 21 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in the 8 Hours At Daytona, the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series will run up to eight races in 2007 - its first full season of competition. The series will open and close its 2007 calendar with events at Daytona in March and October. Events at Virginia International Raceway in April and Iowa Speedway in July have also been announced, with additional races to be scheduled in the near future.

"SunTrust has been an extremely valuable partner for our organization, and we are ecstatic that the organization has come on board to support MOTO-ST," said Roger Edmondson, President of the Grand American Road Racing Association, which provides administration and commercial support for MOTO-ST. "SunTrust's considerable support of MOTO-ST is a testament to our success in building Grand American into one of the most competitive and exciting auto racing organizations in North America. With the assistance of SunTrust, we are poised to do the same thing with MOTO-ST."

"SunTrust's sponsorship of MOTO-ST is a natural extension of our overall partnership with the Grand American Road Racing Association," said Craig Kelly, Corporate Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, SunTrust Banks, Inc. "Year after year, Grand-Am becomes more and more popular thanks to strong competition, efficient rules and strict cost-containment. MOTO-ST will follow the same path as Grand-Am, but with two wheels instead of four. SunTrust is proud to promote MOTO-ST as the premier motorcycle endurance racing series in North America."

In addition to the MOTO-ST title sponsorship, SunTrust has also been named the Official Bank of MOTO-ST, a position that SunTrust has held with the Grand American Road Racing Association and its Rolex Sports Car Series since 2004.

Upwards of 60 motorcycles and more than 200 riders are expected to compete in the inaugural 8 Hours At Daytona in the three MOTO-ST classes. The Super Sport Twins (SST) class will include bikes that produce at least 90 and no more than 118 horsepower, while the Grand Sport Twins (GST) class will feature bikes with horsepower ranging from 75 to 90. The Sport Twins (ST) class includes bikes making less than 75 horsepower.

Event purses will be substantial and will feature lap prizes for the class leaders. Pirelli has been named as the sole supplier of MOTO-ST tires for this year's inaugural event at Daytona, as well as for the first full season of competition in 2007. All competitors will use Sunoco GT unleaded fuel and horsepower limits will be enforced by a Dynojet chassis dynamometer.

MOTO-ST is organized by Professional Motorsports Productions of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) of Pickerington, Ohio. The Grand American Road Racing Association, based in Daytona Beach, Fla., provides the series with administrative and commercial support. The MOTO-ST advisory board features some of the most respected individuals in the world of motorsports, including AMA Hall of Fame members, respected motorcycle racing journalists and renowned officials from various forms of road racing. Learn more about MOTO-ST at www.moto-st.com.

SunTrust Banks, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation's largest banking organizations, serving a broad range of consumer, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. As of June 30, 2006, SunTrust had total assets of $181.1 billion and total deposits of $124.9 billion. The Company operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a full array of technology-based, 24-hour delivery channels. The Company also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its primary businesses include deposit, credit, trust and investment services. Through various subsidiaries the Company provides credit cards, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, equipment leasing and capital markets services. SunTrust's Internet address is www.suntrust.com.