Indy 500 adds Sportvision technology

The Indianapolis 500 on ABC this year will feature the same Sportvision technology that has helped NASCAR fans keep track of their favorite racers and a wealth of telemetry data.

ABC Sports and ESPN will beginning using the technology on Sunday, March 26 with the Toyota Indy 300 from Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“This Sportvision technology will have a profound impact on viewers of the IndyCar Series on ESPN and ABC Sports,” said Rich Feinberg, Senior Coordinating Producer for ESPN and ABC Sports. “From now on, fans will be able to better identify the drivers and will have vital information- the same information that the drivers and their crews have.”

The technology, called the RACEf/x system, provides viewers with graphic effects and
relevant data, enabling them to better follow the action. The technology uses GPS data to track every car
while delivering visual effects, thereby making it a
lot easier for viewers to easily identify each driver. The most
prominent graphic of the system is the “pointer,” which will indentify
the cars and track them as they race at speeds in excess of 220 miles
per hour.

Viewers can also customize their experience by tracking real-time data
of any car competing in the race when following the race live on
ESPN.com beginning with the Indianapolis 500.

The on-board GPS system captures all telemetry and positioning
including speed, acceleration/decelaration, time behind the leader,
exact car position and RPMs. The system will incorporate several data
elements that will be unique to IRL coverage, including “G-force” which
will indicate the force exerted on the driver.

“We will welcome the addition of Sportvision to the telecast in 2006 so that viewers will have a constant visual connection to the racing action and the drivers they root for and against,” said Brian Barnhart, president and chief operating officer, Indy Racing League. “The storytelling of not only the race but the racers, participants and teams will be vastly improved as television makes each race more compelling and not to be missed by the casual and diehard fans alike, as well as the new fans we’ll be attracting.”