Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Revs Up with BelAir Networks Wide-Area Wi-Fi System; Wireless Network Gives Immediate Results on Race Times to Drivers and Spectators

KANATA, Ontario--Oct. 6, 2004--For the first time in its 11-year history, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP), held July 15-17, 2004 at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, provided real-time race results and statistics to drivers and spectators, thanks to a Wide-Area Wi-Fi network provided by BelAir Networks and deployed by Pittsburgh-based Dagostino Electronic Services (DES).

DES deployed a temporary PVGP network in less than one hour, using just two BelAir200 units. One unit was placed atop a DES bucket truck at the finish line, and the second unit was located on top of a DES communications trailer next to the drivers' pit area. The network was live from Friday evening through Sunday evening.

"In events like the PVGP, the difference between first and second place can be measured in mere fractions of a second. In addition to conveying more dimensions of an event to fans and media, BelAir's Wide-Area Wi-Fi solution enabled us to help give participants a competitive advantage by allowing them to examine results in real-time and refine their strategies on the fly," said Bob Dagostino, CEO of DES. "As a result of the BelAir implementation and real-time scoring, each race was a more dynamic experience for both the drivers and the spectators-- we were the heroes of the event."

In the past, race times at this annual vintage automobile event were collected and distributed through a manual paper process that required several hours for the results of each race to be compiled, distributed to drivers and posted for spectators. With the BelAir/DES wireless system covering the finish line and the pit, race organizers were able to collect, compile and post race results on monitors in the pit area and around the viewing area in real time as each car crossed the finish line. In addition, the solution enabled DES to provide wireless access to posted data for racers, spectators and race organizers.

"We are pleased to be working with service providers such as DES that are dedicated to improving their communities through wireless innovation," said Phil Belanger, vice president of marketing at BelAir Networks. "By partnering with DES, BelAir was able to significantly improve the experience for drivers and spectators and helped enhance the image of the PVGP as a standout event on the vintage racing and automotive circuit."

The annual event draws vintage race cars from 1941 through 1960 including Formula Junior and Sports Racers. The only volunteer-organized and run charity event of its kind in the United States, the PVGP includes a full week of races and car show related activities and is a nationally recognized premium event on the vintage racing and automotive circuit. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association is a nonprofit organization. Since 1983 Grand Prix has raised over $1.6 million dollars for charity.

For the 2005 event, DES will expand the network to include three BelAir units, which will enable the company to offer race results and information from the track area to the vintage car show concourse area located across the park.

The BelAir200 used in the PVGP deployment is a four-radio, wireless internetworking platform that provides the highest network capacity and broadest reach in challenging environments such as high-density metro regions. Built specifically for outdoor deployment, the BelAir200 includes integrated antennas that focus Wi-Fi signals to beam directly into multi-story buildings from the outside, which eliminates the need for indoor access points and their associated wiring.

The BelAir200 access radio modules use the 2.4GHz band to support Wi-Fi client access. Separate backhaul radio modules use 5GHz for the point-to-point links that form the wireless backhaul mesh that interconnects all of the BelAir200 nodes. The resulting system delivers unmatched capacity, security and scalability for metro applications.

DES designs, sells, installs and maintains communications systems for voice, data and video networks. Since 1973, DES has provided connectivity to thousands of local and Wide-Area networks and voice systems in all types of industry environments.

About BelAir Networks

BelAir Networks is the only company to offer scalable, Wide-Area Wi-Fi. Built specifically for large scale deployments and mounted outdoors, BelAir Networks patented solution integrates easily and transparently into existing network and physical infrastructure of downtown business districts, hotels and resorts, and college campuses. BelAir Networks Wide-Area Wi-Fi delivers maximum network capacity at the lowest cost - in days, not weeks. Founded in 2001, BelAir Networks is a privately held company headquartered in Kanata, Ontario. For more information, please visit www.belairnetworks.com.