Deal also to include Indy books, calendars

Crash Media Group Limited has reached an exclusive licensing agreement with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to produce the Official Indy 500 Yearbook for the next three years, with an option for further years.

The deal with CMG also includes a range of Indy-related products, including books and calendars, published under the famed Autocourse brand that has chronicled Formula One annually for the last 55 years.

“This is an amazing way to start the New Year for us,” said Bryn Williams, CMG managing director. “2005 was pretty exciting with the acquisition of the iconic Autocourse titles, but to be able to hit the ground running in early 2006 with an exclusive licensing agreement with IMS is another major step forward for our company.

“You don’t get much better than a deal with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the most famous motor racing venue in the world, we are absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity and will grasp it with both hands.”

“We’re excited about this new relationship with CMG,” said Nicole Garside, Indianapolis Motor Speedway director of licensing. “The Autocourse brand is known worldwide for its quality motorsport annuals, and we think it’s an ideal match for the Indianapolis 500. We’re looking forward to working with CMG this year and in the future.”

Besides the annual yearbook, CMG also will produce an Autocourse History of the Indy 500 Yearbook which will be available in May to coincide with historic 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28. CMG also will publish a broad range of Indy 500 calendars this year, starting with a retro Indianapolis 500 calendar to accompany the release of the Autocourse Indy 500 history book.

The 2006 annual yearbook will be published in time for the Christmas market and will be available along with a calendar of spectacular images from the 2006 edition of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.