Press release: 1997-05-15: Sport And Music Stars Line Up With Sega

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: Sega Europe (archived)

SPORT AND MUSIC STARS LINE UP WITH SEGA

15th May, 1997

Sega is backing a series of super-cool sponsored music and sporting events throughout the summer to ensure that its award-winning Saturn console stays top of the most-wanted list for serious gamers.

A number of high-profile events have been lined up to get Sega's support including the Phoenix Music Festival and the Beavis and Butt-head Do America movie. With the top sporting games available on the Saturn system, Sega is backing the best real-life high-adrenaline sports including the British In-line Skating Festival, British Touring Car Championship, the extraordinary Wildman Triathlon series and the Isle of Man TT Production TT motorbike races.

* Sega is set to soar at the Phoenix Festival Sega is joining forces with top music stars including Jamiroquai, David Bowie, Gabrielle, Texas and others to make this year's Phoenix Festival the best yet.

Taking place from the 17th - 20th July, the Phoenix Festival is one of summer's unmissable events and Sega is adding to the spectacular with a Saturn games tent. A Virtua Fighter 3 arcade machine will be hooked up to giant screen for a Sega prize challenge. Festival goers will be able to test their gaming skills against a Sega expert, the highest scorers will be entered into a free prize draw for Saturn consoles and other Sega goodies.

* Beavis and Butt-Head Do America

Sega has linked up with Beavis and Butt-Head Do America. This feature-length animated movie, stars MTV's cult characters and has taken a phenomenal $50 million in the USA. Sega is offering Saturn consoles as prizes in a series of competitions on a promotional roadshow visiting student and rock venues throughout the UK including the Tribal Gathering summer festival.

* Sega sponsors 'extreme' sport

Sega is giving a boost to Britain's fastest-moving street sport with sponsorship of the Bauer In-Line Skating Festival. The Sega-backed festival showcases the nation's fastest-growing craze with a series of all-day events starting in Torquay on 1st June and ending in Sheffield in August.

Thousands of visitors are expected at the carnival-like festivals, which are the premiere In-line skating events in the UK. The festival will have music DJs and demonstrations by the Bauer In-Line Skating Team and BMX stunt riders.

* Sega backs Wildman Triathlon events for battle of the fittest Sega is throwing down the gauntlet to the nation's adventure seekers with sponsorship of the Wildman Triathlon challenge.

On 6th July, the super-fit and the crazy will take on a gruelling test which includes swimming two laps of a 80km lake followed immediately by 30km mountain bike trek. The challenge continues with a 10km cross-country run over tough and spectacular terrain.

* Sega storms ahead with Production TT races sponsorship

Sega making its mark on the motorbike racing world by sponsoring the Sega Saturn Production TT race - part of the world famous Isle of Man TT tournament taking place from 4th - 8th June.

The sponsorship follows the release of Manx TT Superbike, Sega's best-selling bike racing simulation videogame. The game has earned an army of fans for the Isle of Man TT races by reaching the top ten in the software charts. The game includes the Team Sega Suzuki specification machines, which were ridden by racing stars Jim Moodie and Shaun Harries in last year's Manx TT racing tournament.

* The British Touring Car Championships

Ahead of the autumn launch of Sega Touring Car exclusively for the Saturn console, the company has agreed to back the 1997 British Touring Car Championships. The mighty Saturn Challenge Bus will visit Donnington Park raceway on June 14th and 15th.

* The Sega Challenge Tour - 'try before you buy'

The Sega Saturn Challenge Bus will taking part in a nation-wide tour giving games fans the opportunity to try the company's latest games before they buy.

The challenge team will be visiting shopping centres, local radio road shows, festivals, exhibitions and numerous special events. Thousands of fans are expected to take part in the challenge throughout the summer.

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