NASCAR has extended its contract with Sportvision Inc. for five years so its RACEf/x System will serve as the exclusive car tracking technology system for NASCAR-sanctioned races through 2011. The companies established the initial contract in 2001.
RACEf/x, a tracking system created for televised sports, uses patented technology and GPS satellites to track all 43 cars, creating a complete digital record of the race in real-time. This enables NASCAR's television partners to integrate live position and performance data into the broadcast via a variety of visual effects including pointers and arrows, so viewers can single out drivers and monitor their performance.
Sportvision also developed new media content for NASCAR on the Internet, pay-per-view and wireless devices. Specific to the Internet, these applications allow fans to customize their race experience online while at the same time watching the race action on their television screen. The onboard GPS system captures all car positioning and telemetry information and delivers it to TrackPass on NASCAR.com and TrackPass To Go for wireless providers. Fans can follow their favorite driver with real-time information on every car.
"Over the past six years, Sportvision has provided NASCAR and its television and new media partners with unique and exceptional broadcast and content enhancements," said Dick Glover, vice president of broadcasting and new media for NASCAR. "The future looks even brighter, and Sportvision will undoubtedly continue to help influence and improve how our fans consume NASCAR on television, the Internet and other interactive mediums."
