Ford Performance Becomes Exclusive Live U.S. Distribution Channel of 2017 FIA World Rallycross Season
American fans of rallycross will be able to watch the full season of FIA World Rallycross Championship Presented by Monster Energy live this year, thanks to Ford Performance. The Dearborn, MI-based automotive manufacturer will be the exclusive live distribution channel in the U.S. for the series during the 2017 season.
Ford is the first OEM to serve as a live distribution partner for the FIA World Rallycross series. All 12 races will be streamed live on the Ford Performance Facebook page.
“We are always looking for innovative ways to provide more value to our fans and customers in the U.S.,” said Henry Ford III, Global Marketing Manager, Ford Performance. “Our partnership with IMG will not only make it easier for fans to watch Ken Block and Andreas Bakkerud live as they compete for the 2017 world championship, but it will also be an enhanced experience for those viewers. Distributing the live stream through Facebook allows us to expand our social fan engagement during the event and serve up dynamic content during breaks in the action.”
In addition to serving as the exclusive partner for the U.S. live stream, Ford Performance will continue to provide factory support to Ken Block’s Hoonigan Racing Division in 2017. Block and teammate Bakkerud pilot a pair of Ford Focus RS RX Supercars, and earned a combined seven podiums and three wins in the vehicle’s first season.
“I think it’s amazing that my factory race partner, Ford Performance, has chosen to become the official distributor of World RX here in the States,” said Block. “One of the things I love about World RX is that fans are able to watch the action in real-time on race day via streaming. The fact that Ford has stepped up and become the official partner in America and is doing it via their Facebook is beyond cool to me. It’s definitely a great way to make it easily accessible to all of my fans as well as all rallycross fans here in America in a super easy way. I’m sure my wife and kids will be stoked about it as well if they’re stuck at home one race weekend and want to see myself and Andreas [Bakkerud] in action!”
Paul Bellamy, World RX Managing Director for IMG, added: “We have been talking to Ford about streaming our races live via their platform and I’m pleased that we have been able to get this project off the ground. We will be announcing a highlights deal in America with a free-to-air broadcaster soon but we are delighted to be able to offer World RX fans a chance to watch the races live and for those unable to catch the action, then they will be able to view the highlights on TV.”
The FIA World Rallycross season live stream kicks off on Sunday, April 2nd at 8:00am EST. Follow Ford Performance on Facebook at Facebook.com/FordPerformance to watch live.
Source : ford.com
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