TAMPA DIGITAL STUDIOS MAKES A BIG SPLASH: WILL PRODUCE WORLD-CLASS OCEAN RACING TOUR PRESENTED BY GEICO, BROADCAST ON VERSUS SPORTS CABLE NETWORK

TAMPA, FL—May 11, 2010—Tampa Digital Studios, a visual communications company, today announced that it is powering up to produce the complete 2010 broadcast schedule of the Offshore Powerboat Association [OPA] Ocean Racing Tour for VERSUS, one of the fastest growing sports cable networks nationwide. The eight race series presented by GEICO will air at 4PM ET, Sunday, November 14, 2010, and continue to run at 4PM ET on consecutive Sundays through January 2, 2011.

Jim Kopcik, Ocean Racing Tour producer, Tampa Digital, is shooting the entire series in high definition and focusing production efforts on the racing action, powerboat technology, high-end equipment, charismatic and colorful personalities of the racers, and clandestine drama associated with elite offshore competitions.

“What a really cool and fresh opportunity for the powerboat sports’ mass of spectators and growing number of participants from around the world,” said Mike McKown, director of broadcast management, Tampa Digital. “We are honored to produce a national broadcast showcasing probably one of the largest, most dangerous, and most powerful racing machines of all time, delivering an unrivaled television and bystander experience.”

McKown added: “This most recent success of ours is a good indicator that we are going in the right direction with our broadcast programming production.”

Tampa Digital, Ocean Racing Tour organizers such as OPA, and powerboat racers are highly grateful to John Haggin, team owner of the World Champion AMF/Miss GEICO Racing Team, and William McComb, team owner of Rock Star Energy Drink Racing Team. Both Haggin and McComb have worked tirelessly to help secure the future of the Ocean Racing Tour by bringing the sport to national television.

Worldwide Competition & Cross Over
Among the OPA Ocean Racing Tour contenders will be a contingent from the Qatar Marine Sports Federation [QMSF], according to a recent announcement by His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani. The Spirit of Qatar Team is planning to compete during the full set of the OPA racing tour.

Last November [2009], a partnership was struck between Tampa Digital, QMSF and the American Boat Racing Association to bring unlimited hydroplane racing for the first time to the Middle East region. Tampa Digital broadcast the inaugural Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar, to enthusiastic fans around the world via the Internet. The unprecedented webcast produced by Tampa Digital received more than 100,000 viewers.

A much larger number of viewers are expected for the OPA Ocean Racing Tour competition thanks to broadcasting the racing series on national sports cable network VERSUS. Sheikh Hassan has already indicated that he is looking forward to the challenge of ocean powerboat racing throughout the United States in 2010, as well as performing in front of the numerous spectators the events will bring to the shores and to TV sets across the country.

Each Ocean Racing Tour episode produced by Tampa Digital will ideally center around the on and off water contests as the world’s top powerboat racers battle for the coveted title of World Champion. The first episode will feature a comprehensive overview of the sport and allow viewers to experience the first race from Ocean City, MD. The final episode culminates with the World Championships from Orange Beach, AL. [Please see complete race schedule listed below.]

2010 OPA Ocean Racing Tour Schedule [Actual]
May 28 - 30, 2010: Ocean City, MD
June 11 - 13, 2010: Sunny Isles Beach, FL
July 16 - 18, 2010: Harrison Township, MI
July 23 - 25, 2010: St. Clair, MI
August 20 - 22, 2010: Patchogue, Long Island, NY
September 10 - 12, 2010: Atlantic City, NJ
October 1 - 3, 2010: Solomon Islands, MD
October 12 - 17, 2010: Orange Beach, AL [2010 World Championships]

For more information about the OPA Ocean Racing Tour, please visit online: oparacing.org and amfoffshoreracing.com.

Very Cool! Show us your pearly whites.

Augie,

Maybe they can do a spin off show with you doing a cooking show with your clams

Now that I don't need a Doctors note for. Bring it on!

Tampadigital1,

http://www.Sharkey-Images.com will be shooting stills at majority of the OPA Events in 2010.

If there is anything I may be able to help with in regards to still photography for your production, please do not hesitate to ask.

I look forward to meeting everyone in Ocean City !

Cheers !

Anyone know if this was a multi year TV deal or was this just for the 2010 season?

Having ROCKSTAR pull their funds and their race boat out of the organization after 2 races left John Haggin sponsoring the TV package himself.

Now with John Haggin retiring from Offshore Racing, will Geico themselves and possibly others carry on the TV efforts in years to come ?

Very cool. We're anxiously awaiting.

Tim, its simple... if tv makes money it will continue. If it looses money, well.....

It was a simple question but no definitive answer....

My buddy has that "Hard Core Pawn" show on TruTV and if people watch it will survive.

If the numbers are good someone will pick it up.