02/26/2012
Ford’s Action Sports Drivers Brian Deegan, Ken Block, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr. Challenge Contestants for a Chance to Win a New Ford Ride and the Ford Racing Experience of a Lifetime
Network Offers Special Online Preview This Week
LOS ANGELES, CA - FUEL TV (www.fuel.tv), Fox Sports Media Group’s dynamic sports network for men, announces the premiere of the fast-paced, action-packed show “Octane Academy” Founded by Ford Motor Company, Monday, February 27 at 11:00 PM ET/8:00 PM PT. Starring Ford’s action sports drivers Brian Deegan, Ken Block, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr., the 13-episode series is hosted by legendary Olympic snowboarder and TV announcer Todd Richards. A free preview of the premiere episode is available online now at www.fuel.tv/octaneacademy.
Founded by Ford, “Octane Academy” is the ultimate action sports fantasy camp. Each of the four Ford action sports drivers host eight contestants at various locations where they compete against each other in a series of relentless and entertaining challenges. Developed by the four professional drivers, the on- and off-road challenges test not only the contestants’ technical skill, but also determine if they have the audacity and perseverance to be a successful action sports driver. The final challenge at each compound ends in a grueling fast track competition, determining the four champions to compete for the ultimate title in the season finale.
The premiere episode kicks off in Temecula, California with Ford RallyCross and Off-Road truck racer Brian Deegan, putting contestants through challenges such as attempting to flip a mini bike, navigating a paintball obstacle course, and driving Deegan’s Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.
“Getting the chance to create the first camp of Ford’s ‘Octane Academy’ with my own challenges for the hardcore competitors was awesome,” says Deegan. “I knew these competitors signed up for the ultimate Ford action sports adventure and it was my job to put them through their paces. I can’t wait for the other fans to see how they did.”
“We are proud to showcase these world class drivers and deliver the ultimate in reality show challenge competitions on our network,” says George Greenberg, FUEL TV Executive Vice President and GM. “Bringing the exceptional talents of Deegan, Block, Foust and Gittin Jr. together to create this action sports challenge could only be done by Ford, which is why we are excited to partner with Ford’s ‘Octane Academy.’ Offering the free preview of the premiere episode will really get viewers hooked on this action packed series.”
The infamous Gymkhana star Ken Block gets the next set of contestants’ adrenaline pumping behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta at the following “Octane Academy” camp. The 2010 Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. gives competitors a heart-thumping thrill drifting in a Mustang GT, and finally X Games 17 double gold medalist Tanner Foust provides participants the experience of a lifetime in a Ford Focus ST at the end of the series.
Ford’s “Octane Academy” launched last summer at X Games 17 with record-breaking response from fans across the United States. Ford received more than 8,700 signups (and more than 850 video submissions) from thrill-seeking fans vying to be one of the founding members of Ford’s Octane Academy.
For more information on FUEL TV, please visit www.fuel.tv, and go to www.octaneacademy.com to learn more about the Octane Academy, catch the full episodes and watch exclusive behind-the-scenes action from all the camps.
To get FUEL TV on your television, go to www.fuel.tv/getfueltv, or call 877-4 FUEL-TV.
FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including MMA, surfing, motocross, snowboarding, skateboarding BMX, wakeboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and postfight coverage, specials and events you won’t see anywhere else. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
FOX Sports Media Group
FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands that are capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG now includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 19 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus; FUEL TV; and Fox College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which comprises FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.com and scout.com, reaching approximately 30 million unique visitors monthly. Also included are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network and FOX Sports Grills.
