ALMS announces 3-year SPEED deal

The American Le Mans Series and SPEED, a telecast partner of the Series since 2000, announced Friday at the annual State of the Series address that a three-year extension of the long-running rights agreement has been finalized to keep the world’s premier sports car series on the world’s most highly distributed motorsport network.

“This is a very important step for the growth of the American Le Mans Series," said Scott Atherton, CEO/President of the Series. “SPEED has become recognized as the leading motorsports network in the world and is certainly the type of partner with which to move into the future with our many common goals."

Formerly “Speedvision" in the early years of the Series when it aired the 12 Hours of Sebring and four other events in the second season of the American Le Mans Series, SPEED will deliver a seven-race 2008 telecast package to its more than 74 million U.S. cable households as well as a Canadian audience of five (5) million, including the two prestigious endurance classics – the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring that opens the season and Petit Le Mans, Road Atlanta’s endurance race that culminates in automatic invitations to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the 2007 Petit Le Mans, SPEED is moving into the 16×9 standard definition format as a first step in its planned transition to high definition telecasts of race events next season, a plan that could include American Le Mans Series. In addition, the network is developing unique opportunities via its website that parallel the Series’ rapid growth and development in that area as well, allowing for potential e-programming partnerships.

“We believe that the American Le Mans Series is one of the most exciting forms of motorsports on our network," said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. “Its growth over the last several years has been very impressive. We believe that we have played a role in that growth through our passionate and loyal motorsports audience, and we would like to continue to develop future programming opportunities that are exciting and beneficial for both parties.

“SPEED and the ALMS have been partners for eight years," Nickell added. “We’re delighted to say we’ll be moving forward together for many years to come. We’re also pleased to announce that two of the most prestigious races on any auto racing calendar – the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans – will continue to be on SPEED."