12/09/2004

FUNKMASTER FLEX SERIES PREMIERES FRI JANUARY 21

NEW YORK, NY, DECEMBER 9, 2004 - The Funkmaster Flex Super Series,  premiering on Spike TV on Friday, January 21 (9:00-11:00pm ET/PT), is an original racing reality special that gives an uncensored look at an exciting new kind of stock car racing, highlighting new up-and-coming drivers from all walks of life. Created by renowned DJ and car enthusiast, Funkmaster Flex, the actual race -- "Funkmaster Flex Super Series Invitational" -- took place earlier this year at the Waterford Speedbowl in Waterford , Conn. Flex is the first African American to develop a stock car race league which will consist of ten races in 2005. Drivers from across the country, including minorities and females, are competing for a large purse of cash and prizes including Funkmaster Flex's very own 1969 Z28 Camaro. Flex's omnipresent cameras follow drivers, pit crews, and race organizer’s as they put together a truly memorable event. 

"The goal is to expose new groups of people to the world of motor sports while generating a new breed of racing; new fans, new viewers, and a larger television audience," said Funkmaster Flex.

The race also featured big names from the music world as Lil' Kim raised the checkered flag and LL Cool J added a remarkable post-race performance. Celebrity appearances included Dale Earnhardt Jr., Orange County Choppers, Carrol Shelby, and Damon Dash. From a large field of the top drivers in the late model stock car, as many as 100 competitors were invited to compete for the grand prize. The feature race had 30 starters race for 100 green flag laps.

"We get up close and personal with the drivers, conduct individual profiles, utilize in-car cameras, and create a unique viewing experience for the television audience," said Monica Taylor, Executive Producer of The Funkmaster Flex Super Series. "We are taking the tradition of racing to the next level. With strategically placed cameras and unique attractions such as confessional booths for drivers, we will give the viewers a true behind the scenes look into this new breed of racing."

Flex is host of "Ride with Funkmaster Flex" which has aired on Spike TV for the last two years. He has also been the top radio DJ on New York 's Hot 97.1 since the early '90s. 

The Funkmaster Flex Super Series is produced by RedMoxie. Emmy nominated Producer Monica Taylor and film and TV Producer Lashan Browning serve as executive producers.  

Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 87 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, mtvU, VH1. NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 12 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Sources:  Yussuf Khan/RedMoxie PR
Posted:  December 14, 2004