- 06 Aug 08, 02:02#59732
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
Finding its spark in the mind of a passionate fan, Michel Marvie founded the first online motorsports information service 20 years ago. An IT specialist, driver, and great fan of motorsports, it is with the desire to share his enthusiasm that he established the first online motorsports-dedicated service during the late 1980s, the 36.15 CHRONO Minitel service.
Drivers, partners, and spectators alike could consult results and news coming in live from the circuits or rallies, all at their leisure and from the comfort of their homes. The service was only available in France at that time... even if Michel Marvie was already travelling around the Formula One world with his Minitel in hand!
Then the internet came along... In a constantly evolving world, Michel could not let such an opportunity pass. Already a pioneer with his online Minitel service, in 1995 Michel Marvie would be amongst the first to take the next step, accompanied by a small team including yours truly.
Now appearing on that fantastic new global network – the famous WWW – the RACING-LIVE company's first website came online. F1-Live.com was born in surroundings enriched by texts and images, to which statistics, archives, videos and audio files, interviews and many other services would be added over the years. The RACING-LIVE.COM sites would quickly become world leaders in regards to motorsports-dedicated news.
In 2000, thanks to the unconditional support of strategic and financial investors, the Montpellier-based company – and its network of international correspondents – rapidly found their cruising speed amongst fierce competiton, even in regards to news services which had access to greater means and which were also repositioning themselves within this new media.
Despite the adversity, the passion remained intact. Michel and his colleagues found the resources to continue upon the mission they had given themselves: delivering an ever-increasing amount of news to our readers, without ever losing the trademark quickness, precision, and quality which represent the strengths of RACING-LIVE.COM.
But, following the adage that there is strength in numbers, it appeared that moving closer to a major strategic organisation of international dimension was essential in order to continue the adventure at an ever-higher level. The foremost objective is to always offer expanded services to Fans, more live results, and a greater amount of information to our readers - to those who have been loyal to RACING-LIVE.COM over the years, as well as to those who have recently discovered us.
In other words, to give Fans what they wish for: bringing them closer to their motorsport passion.
Therefore, what could be better than to join with ESPN, undoubtedly the greatest sports media of the planet, itself an integral part of the ever-fantastic Disney group.
The dream has become reality: ESPN, the sports information specialist, by means of its many television and internet services, was able to judge the value represented by the RACING-LIVE.COM sites. That value wishes to progress further, and it is with such an objective in mind that the global group has today acquired the RACING-LIVE company and its affiliates, RACING-LIVE Japan and CAPSIS International.
The acquisition will not affect the identity of the sites you are fond of: Racing-Live.com, F1-Live.com, Rally-Live.com, Moto-Live.com, Raid-Live.com... but they will all be enriched by an optimisation of editorial means, new technical support, a new organization, and for you – our readers – an expanded news content.
For each one of us, passionate motorsport fans that we are, RACING-LIVE.COM ands its principal websites, including F1-Live.com, are a phenomenon... even cult sites. Their existence is born of passion, their long-standing presence is due to your loyalty and confidence towards those working in new forms of media.
Today ESPN will propel the RACING-LIVE.COM universe towards the summit, but rest assured that the websites will remain as always: developed and renewed for you, the motorsports FANS, along with our present staff in its entirety. Yes, I will once again be aboard for a new adventure...
Dunno, but could be good for everybody: better coverage for us and maybe more exposure of F1 in the US.
Drivers, partners, and spectators alike could consult results and news coming in live from the circuits or rallies, all at their leisure and from the comfort of their homes. The service was only available in France at that time... even if Michel Marvie was already travelling around the Formula One world with his Minitel in hand!
Then the internet came along... In a constantly evolving world, Michel could not let such an opportunity pass. Already a pioneer with his online Minitel service, in 1995 Michel Marvie would be amongst the first to take the next step, accompanied by a small team including yours truly.
Now appearing on that fantastic new global network – the famous WWW – the RACING-LIVE company's first website came online. F1-Live.com was born in surroundings enriched by texts and images, to which statistics, archives, videos and audio files, interviews and many other services would be added over the years. The RACING-LIVE.COM sites would quickly become world leaders in regards to motorsports-dedicated news.
In 2000, thanks to the unconditional support of strategic and financial investors, the Montpellier-based company – and its network of international correspondents – rapidly found their cruising speed amongst fierce competiton, even in regards to news services which had access to greater means and which were also repositioning themselves within this new media.
Despite the adversity, the passion remained intact. Michel and his colleagues found the resources to continue upon the mission they had given themselves: delivering an ever-increasing amount of news to our readers, without ever losing the trademark quickness, precision, and quality which represent the strengths of RACING-LIVE.COM.
But, following the adage that there is strength in numbers, it appeared that moving closer to a major strategic organisation of international dimension was essential in order to continue the adventure at an ever-higher level. The foremost objective is to always offer expanded services to Fans, more live results, and a greater amount of information to our readers - to those who have been loyal to RACING-LIVE.COM over the years, as well as to those who have recently discovered us.
In other words, to give Fans what they wish for: bringing them closer to their motorsport passion.
Therefore, what could be better than to join with ESPN, undoubtedly the greatest sports media of the planet, itself an integral part of the ever-fantastic Disney group.
The dream has become reality: ESPN, the sports information specialist, by means of its many television and internet services, was able to judge the value represented by the RACING-LIVE.COM sites. That value wishes to progress further, and it is with such an objective in mind that the global group has today acquired the RACING-LIVE company and its affiliates, RACING-LIVE Japan and CAPSIS International.
The acquisition will not affect the identity of the sites you are fond of: Racing-Live.com, F1-Live.com, Rally-Live.com, Moto-Live.com, Raid-Live.com... but they will all be enriched by an optimisation of editorial means, new technical support, a new organization, and for you – our readers – an expanded news content.
For each one of us, passionate motorsport fans that we are, RACING-LIVE.COM ands its principal websites, including F1-Live.com, are a phenomenon... even cult sites. Their existence is born of passion, their long-standing presence is due to your loyalty and confidence towards those working in new forms of media.
Today ESPN will propel the RACING-LIVE.COM universe towards the summit, but rest assured that the websites will remain as always: developed and renewed for you, the motorsports FANS, along with our present staff in its entirety. Yes, I will once again be aboard for a new adventure...
Dunno, but could be good for everybody: better coverage for us and maybe more exposure of F1 in the US.
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
