EUGENDORF HOSTS GERMAN NATIONAL FINAL FOR R-M BEST PAINTER COMPETITION – CLERMONT SITE IS VENUE FOR INTERNATIONAL GRAND FINAL

Who will succeed Belgian Steve Mauro of the Stillemant body shop? Mauro is the reigning champion and winner of the fifth Best Painter Contest, the world championship of young painters. But before the Grand Final in September 2007, the various countries will be selecting their champions, who will be sent to the International Final. In Germany, the tough qualification period is already underway.

R-M head of Distribution Thorsten Schlatmann explains how tough the qualifying rounds are. First, the young painter needs to pass a test that consists of filling out a questionnaire. “Despite the fact that the test contains questions about everyday life on the job, this step already knocks out a good part of the competitors,” says Schlatmann. The winner of this round qualifies to go to the German Final in Eugendorf near Salzburg, Austria, on May 22, 2007. The R-M Refinish Competence Center in Eugendorf offers the competitors ideal conditions. After all, R-M training seminars take place here. A jury, which includes R-M National Head Trainer Gerhard Starke, will be judging the contestants' theoretical and practical abilities. What counts? Gerhard Starke provides the answer: “Of course, the quality of the work, quick application, amount of product used, as well as safe application methods are factors that we the jury will be taking into consideration.”

The winner will qualify for the Grand Final from September 26 to 28, 2007 at the BASF Coatings site in Clermont, France. Like last year at the Grand Final in the Italian city of Caronno Pertusella, over 100 interested guests, a slew of journalists, and representatives of the other sponsors are expected to attend.

Last year’s competition required the competitors to refinish a car part with waterborne paints from the ONYX HD Line and use COLORMASTER 2, R-M brand's color matching system, to do a color search. When it comes to this year’s challenges, however, the organizers are keeping mum. The prizes for the winners and runners-up, which will be attractive in 2007 as well, are not a secret, however. In addition to the competition, R-M workshops and an attractive program of side events will be offered.

R-M website: www.rmpaint.com

For further information:

R-M Refinish Coatings – Clermont / France
Contact Person: Roman Bishop
Tel. : + 33 3 44 77 73 70
E-Mail : roman.bishop@basf.com

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