NASCAR Nextel FanView Gives Fans a New Perspective

The Next Generation Race Scanner Provides In-Race Video, In-Car Audio, Real-time Data and Statistics

Sprint Nextel continues to leverage its NASCAR sponsorship along with its wireless technology to enhance the NASCAR fan experience at track and away

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — 02/09/2006, For years race fans have used scanners to listen to communications between a driver and crew during a race. On Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway (DIS), Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), NASCAR and Kangaroo.TV (TSX: KTV) will introduce the newest at-track wireless technology for spectators, NASCAR NEXTEL FanView, a hand-held scanner that includes video, audio and data capabilities.

The first device of its kind in any major sport, NASCAR NEXTEL FanView combines the race telecast and up to seven in-car camera channels, direct audio feeds allowing the user to listen to live driver and team conversations, as well as the radio broadcast and an exclusive audio-replay feature. NASCAR NEXTEL FanView also taps directly into NASCAR’s timing and scoring system, providing fans with real-time race data and statistics at the touch of a button. The device, featuring technology which is licensed by Kangaroo.TV, will be available to rent during all NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series™ds.

“NASCAR NEXTEL FanView is an excellent example of how Sprint Nextel, along with our industry partners, can enhance the fan experience at NASCAR events,” said Michael Robichaud, vice president of sports marketing for Sprint Nextel. “We entered the NASCAR partnership with a passion to advance the sport through innovative wireless technology, and this launch is another step in realizing that vision.”

The device represents the next generation of fan access by integrating a race-day scanner with video feeds and race data and transmitting over the 2.5 GHz wireless broadcast spectrum. Produced and developed by Sprint Nextel, NASCAR and Kangaroo.TV, NASCAR NEXTEL FanView bridges the live excitement of races with the data and visuals of the at-home, multi-screen fan experience.

“NASCAR has always provided our fans with the highest level of access in sports; from the athletes to the teams to the track itself, our first priority has always been creating the most interactive experience possible. From the beginning of our relationship with Sprint Nextel, we have worked together to use their unequaled technology to enhance that access and our fans’ experience,” said Dick Glover, vice president of broadcasting and new media for NASCAR Digital Entertainment. “NASCAR NEXTEL FanView offers an authentic and unprecedented next level of access that has never before been made available at a sporting event.”

NASCAR NEXTEL FanView represents a new direction in the way fans in the stands view live sports. The in-house video broadcast on the NASCAR NEXTEL FanView is identical to the trackside NEXTEL Vision screens, which show race action. In-car camera channels allow fans to virtually ride along with the drivers, and real-time race data keeps fans up to date on their favorite drivers’ lap-by-lap statistics.

“We also designed NASCAR NEXTEL FanView to be a platform for continual enhancement,” Robichaud said. “As fans become more accustomed to the device and demand different types of information, we have the ability to develop new content and integrate it quickly and seamlessly, providing an even greater personalized at-track experience.”

Additional NASCAR NEXTEL FanView features include:

Graphic-rich data such as lap times, speeds, position and point standings updated every lap, as well as information and statistics on drivers, events, and tracks
Real-time statistics for multiple drivers on the same screen, allowing fans to compare their favorite drivers’ performance to other drivers every lap
Pre-programmed frequencies of audio channels for every driver, NASCAR officials and the radio broadcast
Priority scanning for up to four drivers, selected by the individual user
Audio replay of communications between drivers and teams on demand
“NASCAR NEXTEL FanView represents an excellent application of the Kangaroo.TV technology and will soon become a ’must have’ for NASCAR fans,” said Alain Charette, executive vice-president of Kangaroo.TV. “Our revolutionary technology and manufacturing capabilities, along with Sprint Nextel’s communications expertise and NASCAR’s racing proficiency, will enhance NASCAR fans’ experience at every NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event weekend.”
NASCAR NEXTEL FanView will be available to rent at the branded FanView hauler and at all Track Scan locations during NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekends. The device also will be available for use during NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck Series events when they are companion events to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races, as well as during practice and qualifying sessions for all three series. At $50 per day or $70 per race weekend, NASCAR NEXTEL FanView is comparable to the standard rate for most racing scanners and includes the device, battery, charger (available only for weekend rentals), headset, carry bag and neck lanyard.

This is another innovative wireless development for Sprint Nextel involving in-car communications. In 2004, Sprint Nextel introduced Nextel FanScan. Meant for fans that are unable to make it to the track, subscribers to Nextel FanScan can hear live in-car communications by dialing *RACE from most Nextel and Sprint PCS wireless phones during each NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race. This unique service is available for $4.99 per race or $9.99 monthly, plus standard airtime charges.

For more information and images of NASCAR NEXTEL FanView, please visit www.nextel.com/nextelcup.


About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/mr.

About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR), which began in 1948, is the sanctioning body for one of America’s premier sports. NASCAR is the #1 spectator sport – holding 17 of the top 20 attended sporting events in the U.S., the #2 rated regular-season sport on television with broadcasts in over 150 countries, and has 75 million fans who purchase over $2 billion in annual licensed product sales. These fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports and as a result, more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport.

NASCAR consists of three major national series (NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) as well as eight regional series and one local grassroots series. NASCAR sanctions 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 38 states, Canada and Mexico. Based in Daytona Beach (Fla.), NASCAR has offices in Bentonville (Ark.), Charlotte (N.C.), Concord (N.C.), Conover (N.C.), Los Angeles, New York, Mexico City and Toronto.

About Kangaroo.TV
Kangaroo.TV (www.kangaroo.tv) brings fans closer to the action, empowering them to interact with live and unique multimedia content. Kangaroo.TV is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kangaroo Media, headquartered near Montreal, Canada, and listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (www.tsx.com) as KTV.

Contact Information

Becky Cox

Media Contact

Sprint Nextel

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