NEWS - Friday, November 1, 2002
THQ and Clear Channel Team Up
THQ Joins Forces With Clear Channel Entertainment for Title Sponsorship Of THQ World Supercross GP CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. & AURORA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2002-- The 2002-2003 THQ World Supercross GP Series Commences December 7 in Switzerland Leading videogame publisher THQ® Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI - News) and Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division announced today that -- beginning with the 2002-2003 race season -- THQ has entered into a three-season agreement to be the new title sponsor of THQ World Supercross GP, which includes the AMA Supercross Series. THQ World Supercross GP is the premier motorcycle racing series in the world. This series includes 17 events across North America and Europe, with live event spectators totaling more than 800,000 people, as well as significant broadcast exposure. The AMA Supercross Series is comprised of the 15 events held in the United States that are produced by Clear Channel Entertainment (as well as the supercross event held in Daytona, Fla. that is produced by the International Speedway Corporation). The World Supercross GP events consist of top riders from all over the world competing in 250cc and 125cc bike classes. The three-season agreement will enable THQ to use the series to promote its video game line-up including the top selling motocross videogame franchise, "MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael." The sponsorship also includes extensive support through Clear Channel Entertainment’s television, print, radio and on-site exposure throughout the entire five-month series. Additionally, THQ will be included in more than 30 hours of original programming on ESPN2. "The Supercross Series has experienced significant growth year after year," said Peter Dille, vice president of marketing, THQ. "We’re looking forward to working with Clear Channel Entertainment to continue this growth and to use our presence as a vehicle to promote our videogame line-up, including the industry’s leading motocross game `MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael.’" Charlie Mancuso, president of Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division, said, "We’re proud to have THQ in this primary position as supercross expands into the global marketplace. Together with the fans, riders and industry, THQ has shown tremendous support for the sport over the last few years." THQ’s strong support of motocross began in 1999 with the release of its first motocross racing game, "Championship Motocross(TM) featuring Ricky Carmichael," for the original PlayStation® video game console. Since then, the company has released three more motocross games. The critically acclaimed game franchise has evolved along with motocross, incorporating the widely popular freestyle aspect of the sport, and now boasts the highest market share in its category, according to NPD TRST data. Throughout the years, THQ has fostered strong relationships within the motocross community and has worked with more than 20 apparel, equipment and industry companies in cross-promotional efforts and sponsorship opportunities. The 2002-2003 THQ World Supercross GP schedule sponsored by Thor and Parts Unlimited is currently on sale at www.sxgp.com, where event specific information is listed. The schedule follows: Dec 7 Palexpo Geneva, Switzerland Dec 14 Gelredome Arnhem, Holland Jan 4 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.(a) Jan 11 Bank One Ballpark Phoenix(a) Jan 18 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.(a) Jan 25 Pacific Bell Park San Francisco (a) Feb 1 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.(a) Feb 8 Qualcomm Stadium San Diego(a) Feb 15 H.H.H. Metrodome Minneapolis(a) Feb 22 Georgia Dome Atlanta(a) Mar 1 RCA Dome Indianapolis(a) Mar 8 Daytona International Speedway Daytona, Fla.(a)(b) Mar 22 Edward Jones Dome St. Louis(a) Mar 29 Reliant Stadium Houston(a) Apr 5 Silverdome Pontiac, Mich.(a) Apr 12 Texas Stadium Dallas(a) Apr 26 Rice-Eccles Stadium Salt Lake City(a) May 3 Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas(a) (a) 2003 AMA Supercross Series event sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. (b) Daytona is not part of the THQ World Supercross GP Series. The FIM is the sanctioning body for the THQ World Supercross GP Series. NOTE FROM EDITOR: This might be a sign of things to come, a good Motocross game for the Xbox.Source: http://www.thq.com/
