North American stock car-racing series Nascar has entered into a multi-year partnership with The Weather Company.
The deal will optimise Nascar’s weather-related decision process, with the series incorporating hyperlocal data and forecasts into its events to improve race-day operations and fan engagement.
IBM-owned The Weather Company, through The Weather Channel brand, will serve as Nascar’s official weather partner.
The company will provide Nascar with weather information via an advanced dashboard developed by Flagship Solutions Group. The dashboard will be integrated into Nascar’s racing operations and decision support system.
The Weather Channel will also work with Nascar to produce educational content, which, among other things, will seek to inform fans how weather can impact upon vehicle performance.
The deal grants Nascar access to The Weather Company’s weather data. An on-site personal weather station will also provide direct input from each race.
The Weather Track dashboard will provide information such as rain start and stop times, wind speed, lightning proximity, and tornado and flash flood warnings. Nascar also intends on using weather forecasting and analytics to help improve its planning in the long term.
“There is an enormous amount of logistics and planning needed to support a Nascar race, but the one thing we do not have control over is weather,” Elton Sawyer, Nascar’s vice-president of officiating and technical inspection, said.
“This partnership with The Weather Company and Flagship Solutions Group will provide Nascar access to critical information that can improve race operations and help minimise delays, while improving the race day experience for millions of our loyal fans.”