The National Hot Rod Association has signed a deal with NextVR to exclusively use its platform to produce virtual reality highlights at select NHRA events in 2019. Highlights will be stored on the NHRA’s newly created channel inside the NextVR app.
The deal makes NextVR the official VR partner of the NHRA, which is the main governing body for drag racing in the U.S. A digital highlights package from the 2018 Auto Club NHRA Finals held in Pomona, Calif., last November can currently be viewed on the NHRA’s NextVR channel. NextVR produced the highlights using a 3D stereoscopic virtual reality format.
“You can virtually feel the intense heat of the engines on the raceway from a front row seat” said Danny Keens, VP of Content at NextVR, in a press release. “We are more excited than ever about the growing diversity of content on NextVR in 2019 as we continue to provide our fans with a wide array of world first VR experiences that now includes professional drag racing.”
While NextVR’s app is free, users need to a virtual reality-enabled device to view the content.
“As the NHRA continues to try and reach our fans in new and exciting ways, utilizing this technology will allow us to bring the world’s fastest and most explosive sport to life,” stated Ken Adelson, NHRA VP and chief strategy officer of content and technology, in the press release.
SportTechie Takeaway
This deal is similar to the partnership NextVR announced with NHL in late January, which made it the exclusive provider of virtual reality highlights at marquee events such as the 2019 NHL All-Star Game. NextVR also has a longstanding partnership with the NBA, where the platform is providing VR highlights for the NBA League Pass streaming service on a nightly basis throughout the 2018/19 season.