SCCA Partners With iCard To Deliver On-Site Timing and Scoring

Written by: Eric Prill from www.speedtv.com www.cheatsheetpublishing.com

Topeka, Kan. – 8/25/2003

The Sports Car Club of America, Inc., and SCCA Pro Racing Ltd. have reached a partnership agreement with SPP Services, LLC to be the exclusive provider of on-site timing and scoring information. SPP Services is the, manufactures the iCard™, a wireless hand-held timing and scoring trackside distribution system that delivers real-time scoring at sporting events.

The agreement results in the use of the iCard system at all SCCA SPEED World Challenge events as well as the SCCA Valvoline Runoffs® Club Racing National Championships. Development is under way to utilize the system with The Tire Rack® SCCA Solo National Tour and ProSolo NationalSeries, and could be ready for The Tire Rack Solo II National Championship week this September.

In addition, the partnership will make the iCard system available to SCCA regions, proving access to up to date timing and scoring information at over 2,000 SCCA-sanctioned Club racing and Solo events.

“Until the introduction if the iCard system, there hasn’t been a means of tracking real-time timing and scoring at grassroots motorsports events,” said Garret Mudd, SCCA Vice President of Marketing. “Higher profile pro weekends have had the luxury of various wireless radio systems over the years, but none are as effective and reliable as the iCard™ system.”

The iCard system uses a Nintendo Game Boy™ display platform together with the iCard cartridge for its wireless data distribution. Timing and scoring data is sent through a wireless transmitter, and is capable of distributing race data simply, reliably, and further than other systems. Units supported by the iCard include the Game Boy Color™, Game Boy Advance™ and Advance SPTM. ICard is available in two models, iCard, designed for the casual fan and iCard Pro, a more robust, durable version designed for everyday use.

“SCCA is a perfect partner for the iCard system” said SPP President Richard Purgason. “This opportunity represents the first time that an easy-to-use handheld system is available for SCCA fans and competitors at affordable price points. To add SCCA to our ever-broadening list of SCCA regions who are already using the system is a vote of confidence in the iCard technology that is gratifying.”

SPP Services’ program for SCCA regions is structured such that, with the purchase of only 10 iCard Pro units and an agreement to implement the broadcast exclusively, the company provides the hardware and training needed to bring the system to all of a given regions events.

For more information about the iCard system, please visit www.iCardUS.com.