X Games adds rally cars to this years line-up

[greg donovan]

I am sure some of you have allready seen this on other board but i thought i should put it up here too. the best part is that the x games crew realised that it was important to have real rally stages and not just a superspecial like the ROC uses.

from:
http://www.rally-america.com/story.php?article=80

Rally Car Part of X Games 12 in Los Angeles August 3-6, 2006

ESPN X Games, the premier action sports event in the world, will add the sport of Rally Car racing to its sports lineup, starting with X Games 12 to be held August 3-6, 2006, it was announced today by Ron Semiao, senior vice president, ESPN Original Entertainment. X Games 12 will air live on ESPN and ABC Sports from its home in Los Angeles, Calif.

Rally Car Racing features a driver and co-driver racing street legal cars on closed sections of roads called “stages.” The goal in rally is to accumulate the lowest elapsed driving time on a prescribed course. The co-driver navigates the course and communicates upcoming road conditions to the driver, so that a high rate of speed can be maintained around and over natural obstacles such as blind crests, jumps, hairpin turns, dips, etc.

“Rally Car Racing is a sport we have been watching for some time now,” explained Semiao. “We feel it matches our existing X Games audience while having the ability to attract new viewers, as well. Rally Car Racing is incredibly dynamic and exciting. ESPN is committed to motor sports as evidenced by our acquisition of NASCAR and its return to ESPN in 2007. Adding Rally Car Racing to the X Games furthers our goal of always looking to progress the event and the world of action sports.”

The X Games rally will encompass two days of competition, featuring six scenic rally stages on Friday, Aug. 4 and a “Super Special” timed event in a stadium setting on Saturday, Aug. 5.

“Bringing some of the world’s best rally competitors in front of the X Games viewing audience is a huge step for our sport,” said J.B. Niday, Managing Director of Rally America, the sport organizer for the event. “We’re packaging a diverse and exciting rally into two days of action-packed entertainment, and we’re sure X Games fans will be able to see and feel the intensity of rally car racing.”

Details on the complete format, teams, location, tickets, etc. are forthcoming later this spring.

ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. Today the X Games and Winter X Games are the biggest action sports events in the world. As part of the ESPN Original Entertainment division, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. The brand has also grown to include international X Games events, EXPN.com, EXPN Radio, the large format film ESPN's Ultimate X, and various X Games-branded retail products. X Games will remain in Los Angeles through 2009.

Media Contacts: Melissa Gullotti, ESPN X Games, 860-766-7216, melissa.c.gullotti@espn.com; Danny Chi, ESPN X Games, 310-642-1509, danny.c.chi@espn.com

[legacy92ej22t]

That's awesome! I can die happy now. All my action sports in one neat little package.

The only bad part is that the coverage will rpobably suck like the rest of the x-games coverage.

[DLC]

I blame Pastrana for this, but it's a good blame.

[206er]

they better not have some tool like Sal masakela as the host, and actually get some good sustained footage.

[AWD_addict]

I blame Pastrana for this, but it's a good blame.

I think so too. It's gotta be the moto-X or whatever connection.

It should be some good publicity for rally in the US anyway.

[Legacy294]

This is great news for the sport of rally in the US!

It will certainly help the sport grow in addition to getting some new drivers out there..

[93forestpearl]

I'm excited to see what happens as a result of the coverage from the X Games. It could be the breakthrough that the sport needs. And eventually take over some time from the garbage that is NASCAR

[bmxpunk]

Yeah I say blame Pastrana.... Still don't know what to think of the kid. Good for the sport, but he is so damn goofy.

[greg donovan]

I'm excited to see what happens as a result of the coverage from the X Games. It could be the breakthrough that the sport needs. And eventually take over some time from the garbage that is NASCAR

there is a possibility that the rally stuff will be included in the x games coverage that gets highlighted on ABC.

[thehookeup]

yea i am not sure what to think of Pastrana but, if he can get us more publicity, then thats great. i just hope its true to rallying, and not some commercialized pussy event. not saying that all the other x game events are pussy like. i just hope there are no more rules than there already are.

[greg donovan]

yea i am not sure what to think of Pastrana but, if he can get us more publicity, then thats great. i just hope its true to rallying, and not some commercialized pussy event. not saying that all the other x game events are pussy like. i just hope there are no more rules than there already are.

it is a real six stage rally w/a super special.

invite only.

pastrana is the real deal.

the kid can drive.
and he has a helluva co driver.

they are going to run in some PCWRC events later this year i think.