26.05.2008 HUGHES Technology Drives VICI Racing into the future in 2008 American Le Mans Series

Advanced telematics technology will be tested in Porsche 911 GT3 RSR under extreme motorsports conditions

Atlanta, GA / Germantown, MD – HUGHES Telematics, a pioneer in end-to-end telematics solutions, and development partner Hughes Network Systems, LLC, the world's leading provider of broadband satellite networks and services, announced they will be the primary sponsors of the VICI Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR car in the American Le Mans Series.  The #18 Porsche, driven by VICI Racing’s Nicky Pastorelli, Francesco Pastorelli and Ruben Carrapatoso, ran its first HUGHES-sponsored race in this past weekend’s Utah Grand Prix in Tooele, UT. 

The marriage of HUGHES and VICI reaches far beyond the typical corporate logo on the car.  “Working with VICI Racing in the American Le Mans Series, we will have the opportunity to test our equipment in extreme driving conditions,” said Erik Goldman, president of HUGHES Telematics.  “VICI’s drivers will push our telematics control unit to the limit, giving us data we can use to further develop our product before we launch it in the mass market.”

The HUGHES Telematics TCU (telematics control unit), developed by Hughes Network Systems, will monitor the Porsche’s systems, giving the crew the ability to analyze every detail of the vehicle’s diagnostic systems in real-time.  This remote diagnostic technology, along with a host of infotainment, navigation, connectivity and convenience features, will be made available on Chrysler and Mercedes Benz vehicles beginning in 2009.

“This partnership with HUGHES represents a major step forward for VICI Racing. Their dedication to the pursuit of technical excellence speaks volumes for them,” said VICI Racing President Ron Meixner. “The advanced HUGHES technology gives our team an edge, which is key to our racing success.”

The HUGHES VICI Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR will compete in all seven remaining American Le Mans Series races through October 2008.
 

About Hughes Telematics

HUGHES Telematics (www.HUGHEStelematics.com) is a leader in developing the next generation of telematics solutions. The company designs, engineers and manages vehicle- and driver-centric solutions to increase vehicle value, ownership experience, convenience, efficiency and safety and security.  Headquartered in Atlanta, HUGHES Telematics offers a portfolio of proprietary consumer, manufacturer, fleet and dealer services designed to set industry standards for intelligent vehicle interaction and information exchange.

About Hughes Network Systems 

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet® encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries. Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUGH). For additional information, please visit www.hughes.com

About VICI Racing

VICI Racing is a Miami, Florida-and Munich, Germany-based racing team with more than 20 years of experience competing at the topmost levels of international sportscar racing, in both GT and prototype categories, in Europe and the United States. VICI Racing is a wholly owned subsidiary of the VICI Group, which is comprised of technology-led companies. VICI Racing is a registered trademark of the VICI Group. VICI Racing’s roll call of wins includes GT victory in the Daytona 24 Hours. For additional information please visit www.viciracing.com
 

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