SCORE’S LEGENDARY DESERT RACING SERIES ANNOUNCES NETWORK AND CABLE TV PACKAGE
PORTLAND, Maine – May 25, 2005
Aura360 and SCORE
International, the World’s foremost desert racing sanctioning body,
announced today that NBC and OLN will televise programs featuring events from
the 2005 SCORE Desert Racing Series. Aura360, a firm specializing in the
creation and development of emerging event and media properties will co-produce
the series with both NBC and OLN..
“We knew when we selected Aura360 as our television producers that the coverage will be credible and extensive and this package is even beyond our expectations,” said Sal Fish, CEO and President of Los Angeles-based SCORE International. “We look forward to the comprehensive coverage Aura360 will provide of SCORE races, racers and crews, highlighted with incredible racing action as well as behind-the-scenes profiles of some of the top desert racing teams in the world.”
The launch of a complete SCORE desert racing television package is timely given the increased interest in the sport by the mainstream media. The Baja1000 is the oldest and most well known desert race enticing NASCAR champions, action sports athletes, celebrities, and casino owners to compete. Its magnetism has captivated athletes for over thirty years and will now be accessible to mainstream racing fans on network and cable television.
Growing appreciation for the events was confirmed after the premiere of film ‘Dust to Glory’. The 90-minute historical sports documentary directed by critically acclaimed Dana Brown featured the 2003 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. ‘Dust to Glory’ debuted on April 1 to a sold-out crowd in Hollywood and was deemed “exhilarating” by critics.
This year, all of the upcoming races in SCORE’s off-road series will air nationally on OLN. The cable network has agreed to cover four 2005 events including the 37th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, SCORE Las Vegas Terrible’s Cup I, 10th SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 and 38th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The Tecate Baja 500 and 1000 will receive particular attention in special one-hour primetime feature programs.
”Desert racing on OLN is a natural fit, especially prestigious best-in-class events like those in the SCORE desert racing series,” said Marc Fein, Senior Vice President of Programming and Production. “Our viewers crave the excitement and thrill of man vs. the elements and these races combine the challenging, desert terrain with the thrills of an adrenaline-charged, all-out, off-road race. They also serve as a great complement to our coverage of the Dakar Rally.”
Last year, Aura360 co-produced the 2004 Tecate SCORE Baja1000 for NBC, marking the first time a desert race had been televised on a major national network since 1981. Given the success of last year’s program and the growing interest in off-road desert racing, NBC will broadcast another one-hour special of the 2005 Baja 1000 in December.
“We are excited to bring the action and thrills of desert racing to our audience,” said Jon Miller, NBC Sports Senior VP of Programming. “The Baja 1000 is a grueling event and promises to make for compelling television.”
The 2005 SCORE Desert Series schedule is:
June 3-5, 37th
Tecate SCORE Baja 500 in Ensenada, Mexico
July 28-30, The SCORE Las Vegas
Terrible’s Cup I at the Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev.
Sept. 9-11, 10th
SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 in Primm, Nev.
Nov. 17-20, 38th Tecate SCORE Baja
1000 in Ensenada, Mexico
