OCTANE ACADEMY to Return to NBC Sports in June 2013

It's the noisy return of heart-pounding, white-knuckle excitement. Don't blink, because you won't want to miss Octane Academy season two, this time featuring the all-new Fiesta ST. Ford, creator of the popular motorsports reality show, is joining with Alli Sports, a division of NBC Sports Group, and broadcasting six hours on NBC Sports Network. The season will begin in June 2013 and the finale will air July 28 on NBC.

Back for the all-new season are:
- Formula D champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. (driving the Mustang GT)

- Two-time Global RallyCross and three-time X Games gold medalist Tanner Foust (in the Focus ST)

- Two-time Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Pro 2 Unlimited champion and X Games gold medalist Brian Deegan (piloting the F-150 SVT Raptor)

- Pro rally racer and Gymkhana 5 creator Ken Block (driving the Fiesta ST)

Each pro takes a camp of hopefuls and puts them through a gauntlet of driving and action sports challenges. The leader of the pack moves on to compete against other camp winners in an exciting finale episode, coached by their pro mentors – Gittin Jr., Foust, Deegan and Block.

The ultimate winner will have the opportunity to make it big with a racing scholarship and a brand-new Ford ride, putting the winner on the path to action sports stardom.

"Octane Academy is gaining momentum and the idea of reuniting our superstar athletes for season two is generating a lot of electricity," said Mary Ellen Abraham, Ford car experiential marketing manager. "We were thrilled with the success of season one and are ready to take it to the next level.

"We are looking for contestants who show the skills, the adrenaline and the raw ability to compete in the action sports world," Abraham added. "The show is geared toward a millennial audience, but is certainly entertaining for anyone who loves competition, action sports, and has a passion for cars, trucks and driving. We are also excited about our relationship with Alli Sports and NBC Sports Group, which allows us to bring Octane Academy to a broader audience."

Octane Academy hopefuls should register and post their application video at octaneacademy.com. In addition to the video submission process, a series of regional casting events is planned that will allow hopefuls to prove their skills in person.

Newcomer Fiesta ST is a perfect fit for this show given it is projected to be the best performance car in its class with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost® engine and projected 197 horsepower and 214 lb.-ft. of torque.

"Octane Academy really connects Fiesta ST to the customers who love this car," said Liz Elser, Ford Fiesta marketing manager. "The Fiesta ST speaks to a young person who likes to race, and lives life for the rush of feeling alive. It's great to have a show that allows that person to experience the car."

For more information on Octane Academy and its second season, check out octaneacademy.com.