Motors TV Partners With GRAND-AM On European TV Package For Rolex Series

Increasingly, the world is coming to GRAND-AM Road Racing.

Today, the sports car sanctioning body announced a groundbreaking television deal that will take GRAND-AM to a large portion of the world.

As the result of a multi-year deal with Motors TV, fans in 38 European countries will have the opportunity to watch the entire 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season live on television for the first time this season.

Motors TV, headquartered in Chaville, France, will begin its coverage with more than 15 hours of live action from the 50th Anniversary running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29 at Daytona International Speedway.

The "High Speed Television" network is available throughout Europe, reaching 21.2 million homes with broadcasts in five languages: English, French, German, Dutch and Greek. Motors TV covers approximately 20 racing series live.

"With an unprecedented number of European manufacturers and competitors participating in the 2012 Rolex Series, we believe there has never been stronger interest in our series from European race fans," said GRAND-AM CEO Ed Bennett. "This is great timing - and a great addition to our television coverage lineup."

Added GRAND-AM President Tom Bledsoe: "This announcement coincides with the most attractive schedule in the history of the Rolex Series. This year we're going to great race tracks ... historic race tracks, which will resonate with European fans - because they know their road racing. It's going to translate into some compelling television."

Highlights of the 2012 Rolex Series schedule on Motors TV include the three events in the North American Endurance Championship, a new competition involving the Rolex 24, the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen on July 1 at Watkins Glen International and the three-hour Rolex Series debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27.

"We're delighted to welcome GRAND-AM as one of the flagships of our 2012 lineup," said Motors TV Head of Programming & Acquisitions Frédéric Viger. "The series has been growing over the years, the European interest consistently building-up, and we believe the series now gets the coverage it deserves this side of the ocean."

To further emphasize the importance of GRAND-AM for Motors TV, the "High Speed Television" network will feature a GRAND-AM race car on its stand at the annual Autosport International Show, Thursday-Sunday (Jan. 12-15) in Birmingham, England.

Today's announcement highlights a comprehensive international distribution plan that will bring Rolex Series action to Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and the Middle East.

Some highlights of that distribution:

• Eurosport will air selected live coverage of the Rolex 24 race and a Rolex 24 highlight show, reaching 52 countries.
• Speed Latin America will broadcast all 13 races to 42 countries.
• Speed Australia will broadcast all 13 races and the accompanying highlight shows.
• Network Ten will broadcast all 13 races in Australia.
• ESPN2 Caribbean will air all 13 highlight shows to 14 countries while ESPN Dos will reach 14.
• ESPN Africa will broadcast all 13 of the series' highlight shows to 57 countries.
• ESPN Star will have selected live coverage of the Rolex 24 and all highlight shows going to 19 Asian countries.