Al Kamel Systems will assist with TV graphics, timekeeping, and more.

Extreme E

Extreme E has partnered with Al Kamel Systems for time keeping, TV graphic services and data information related to broadcast.

Ahead of the launch of the environmentally focused electric racing series, the organisation has joined with Al Kamel Systems to assist its broadcast. The company has experience in motorsports, having also worked on Formula E, the World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

With Extreme E it will be providing live timekeeping based on GPS position; wireless track network to facilitate data communication between cars, teams and race direction; as well as a paddock network to distribute data to TV.

This will allow teams to have precise, live information of their cars, and will allow TV graphics to visualise this data on screen.

Al Kamel will provide this by using military technology to supply a reliable network in the remote locations that Extreme E will race in. It will also provide these services remotely from its headquarters in Barcelona, which will be in contact with the Extreme E broadcast facility in London.

This keeps in line with the racing series’ efforts to keep to a minimal footprint on site, with the races taking place in areas heavily affected by climate change.

Chief marketing officer at Extreme E, Ali Russell, said: “Extreme E’s broadcast product is our key to reaching as many screens as possible as we won’t have spectators on-site, and our aim is to make it as engaging as possible, so we are looking to create a futuristic package, almost like a computer game.

“Al Kamel Systems will be instrumental in helping us deliver this product as the data they capture will be utilised in sporting graphics which tell the story of the racing.”

This comes after Extreme E had to delay its inaugural season by two weeks to 3-4 April due to the ongoing health crisis, after originally planning a 20-21 March start date.

Extreme E founder, Alejandro Agag told Reuters: “We are quite optimistic that we are going to keep the date, 99% sure of it but never say never with this COVID situation.

“The fact that the Dakar takes place in Saudi has given us a lot of confidence.” The 12-day Dakar Rally was able to take place in Saudi Arabia this month.