Colorado Springs, CO (May 15, 2018)—— The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, is pleased to announce the return of Matchsports for their second in a 10 year contract to broadcast ‘The Race to the Clouds’ live on Sunday, June 24th, 2018.
Despite the PPIHC’s 100+ year history, until last year, this prestigious event had only been broadcast on a delayed basis. Until then, the uniquely challenging environment on Pikes Peak thwarted all attempts to produce a high-quality live broadcast. SBI Media (Matchsports’ Swiss Parent) developed a solution to overcome the technical obstacles of Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain, and delivered a high-quality live broadcast covering the race course from start to ?nish.
With a successful year behind them, Matchsports incorporated on-course experience to develop new strategies to tell a richer story this year. Matchsports will not only increase the number of cameras on the ground but will bring enhanced technology and additional personnel to bring it to fans seamlessly.
“Our partnership with the PPIHC is moving from strength to strength, behind the scenes and publicly, forged on a mutual respect for the mountain and our ongoing commitment to deliver a world class production. Matchsports is honored to be here again. We have learned more, built more and will bring more this June,” explained James Kalogiros, CEO of Matchsports.
“By bringing new and better technology to Pikes Peak, we can offer fans a more intimate understanding of the race as we celebrate the LIVE era through a new Pay-Per-View (PPV) experience. Proceeds from the $4.99 subscription will be reinvested, bringing tomorrow’s production to the hill today, and we know race fans will embrace this opportunity to say they were a part of making it happen.”
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This year’s 96th running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be a major focus on the Matchsports global calendar. One long-term goal is to attract an additional partner, possibly a major TV network, to assist in sharing the race with new audiences worldwide.
About Matchsports:
Matchsports harnesses the power of cutting-edge technology to deliver next generation efficiencies in broadcasting. Founded in Switzerland as an interactive sports and entertainment broadcaster, Matchsports designs and manufactures products and systems for the digital media space. No matter the complexity of the challenge, projects are turnkey and seamless based on the Matchsports mantra #ItJustWorks.
Dynamic connectivity and remote area production with end user interactivity were key elements of the Matchsports vision, well before its founding. Originally designed around a series of interactive products for the UCI World Tour, in 2014, the group diversified strategies and restructured technologies to encompass a much wider portfolio of sports and other events across the globe.
An (over the top) IPTV broadcaster, Matchsports delivers TV quality productions with new ways for audiences to experience events. The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was the group’s flagship event in the United States in 2017. That success established the group’s focus in the US where they are developing new partnerships with motorsport organizations, as well as golf, paragliding and cycling events.
About The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb:
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, also known as the Race to the Clouds, is an annual invitational automobile and motorcycle hill climb to the summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain – in Colorado, USA held annually on the last Sunday of June.
Founded in 1916 by Spencer Penrose (also the founder of The Broadmoor Hotel, Pikes Peak Highway and El Pomar Foundation), the PPIHC takes place on a 12.42 mile (19.99 km) public toll-road boasting 156 turns, while competitors climb 4,720 ft. (1,440 m.) from the 9,390 ft. (2,862 m.) Start Line at Mile 7 marker on the Pikes Peak Highway to the 14,115 ft. (4,300 m) Finish Line at the mountain’s summit. As the drivers and riders climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps competitors’ mental and muscle strength, in addition to robbing internal combustion engines of up to 30% of the power they are capable of producing at the Start Line. Competitors and their vehicles must be in top shape and condition simply to finish, let alone win.
The race is self-sanctioned and is the most diverse one day motorsports event in the world with everything from Sidecars, Motorcycles, and 1,400+hp Electric Vehicle & Unlimited racers competing in the same event.
