1/26/2010
Bill Lester
Rolex Series Telecasts to Reach 280 Million Households
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - For many years, the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Cask No. 16 Rolex 24 At Daytona has served as the unofficial "kick off" of the annual international racing calendar.
With that in mind, it stands to reason that race fans all over the world should have the opportunity to watch the Rolex 24 and other exciting Rolex Series events on television. Millions of international fans have the opportunity to do that, as GRAND-AM announced today that 2010 Rolex Series races will be available in 280 million households worldwide thanks to a partnership between the sanctioning body and its broadcast partners, SPEED, SPEED Latin America and ESPN International.
The season gets underway this weekend with the 48th Rolex 24 At Daytona. Live coverage from this weekend at Daytona International Speedway and the full 2010 Rolex Series season will be available in a total of 113 countries, including the U.S. and Canada, as well as much of Latin America and Europe. Countries that do not receive live telecasts will have the opportunity to catch Rolex Series action through several "highlight shows" to be aired throughout the 2010 season.
Among the countries receiving GRAND-AM Rolex Series live races or highlight shows include Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Ukraine, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and New Zealand - all of which are represented by entered drivers for this weekend's Rolex 24.
"One of the hallmarks of the GRAND-AM Rolex Series is its considerable international presence through drivers, teams, manufacturers and sponsors," said Kevin Hindson, GRAND-AM Vice President, Marketing and Communications. "Having a strong international television package is extremely important in helping us grow our product outside of North America. The fact that this weekend's Rolex 24 At Daytona and the rest of our 2010 Rolex Series schedule will be seen live in 113 countries and will be available in 280 million households proves there is an enthusiastic international audience. We plan on giving our television viewers a great show this weekend and throughout the season, just as we have been throughout the history of GRAND-AM."
The 2010 Rolex Series and the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge both get underway at Daytona International Speedway. The Fresh From Florida 200 for the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge kicks off the weekend's racing activities Friday, Jan. 29, followed by the 48th Rolex 24 At Daytona on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 30-31.
Tickets for the entire weekend at Daytona are now available by visiting RaceTickets.com. SPEED will carry 16 hours of live television coverage of the Rolex 24 beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday and resuming at 7 a.m. ET Sunday. SPEED will also televise the Fresh From Florida 200 at 7 p.m. ET Saturday, Feb. 13.
Submitted By: Philip Hampton
