SPEED Teams with MindComet, MyThum to Provide Interactive TV Experience; Network Uses Signature Barrett-Jackson Auction Coverage to Continue Push toward Emerging Tech; Second-Year 'Fantasy Bid' Feature Sponsored by Hagerty

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Dec. 20, 2005--SPEED is teaming with Internet marketing company MindComet and interactive mobile media leader MyThum Interactive to once again offer the SPEED "Fantasy Bid" interactive feature during the network's six-day coverage of the 35th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, beginning Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. ET.

The interactive feature, sponsored by Hagerty, encourages viewers to participate in the excitement of the auction, allowing them to make "Fantasy Bids" on the ultimate sales price of upcoming vehicles via wireless device at 50 cents per call or free via Internet.

The SPEED broadcast team will promote 33 feature cars during the broadcast, giving viewers an opportunity to guess the sales price prior to the car being auctioned off the block. Responses will be tabulated in real time and shown during the broadcast shortly after each car is sold.

"We introduced the "Fantasy Bid" feature during last year's coverage of the auction on an experimental level, and the participation went far beyond our expectations," said Kevin Annison, SPEED VP Business Development and Operations. "We had more than 20,000 unique participants, casting nearly 70,000 fantasy bids on 24 cars ... and the only prize was SPEED merchandise."

This year, the winning "Fantasy Bid" for each of the 33 vehicles will win a Meguiar's car detailing kit, with the grand prize winner getting a wide-screen television.

Once the bidding opens, viewers will be given some info about each car on-air, but also can register at SPEEDTV.com to get fact sheets to assist in making an educated Fantasy Bid. The list of cars and their descriptions are also available on barrett-jackson.com. Through the relationship with MindComet and MyThum, SPEED will be able to tabulate both wireless and Web votes, provide closest estimates and establish leader boards.

"As SPEED throttles toward its 10th Anniversary in 2006, the network is committed to exploring emerging technology, including interactive television," Annison added. "Applications in the areas of VOD, broadband and mobile are all up and running under the SPEED brand, and we have every intention of continuing to explore these types of opportunities to connect SPEED with its viewers. SPEED is defining automotive entertainment - again."

This year, SPEED's live coverage of the 35th Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction begins Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. ET. The complete broadcast schedule:

-- Jan. 17 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET

-- Jan. 18 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET

-- Jan. 19 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET

-- Jan. 20 5 p.m. - 12 a.m. ET

-- Jan. 21 2 p.m. - 12 a.m. ET

-- Jan. 22 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. ET

In addition, SPEED will show marathon coverage of the 2005 Scottsdale auction beginning Jan. 1, 2006 at 2 p.m. ET.

Last year, SPEED's live coverage of the 34th Annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction delivered impressive numbers for the network. Averaging a Nielsen rating of .86 (546,000 Households) over the four-day, 24-hour broadcast, the show peaked on Saturday with a rating of 1.28 (808,000 Households) and held at least a 1.0 rating for nearly five consecutive hours over the weekend.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the "World's Greatest Classic Car Event" in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has expanded to other venues, including Palm Beach, Fla. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.

About MindComet

MindComet is the premier provider of Internet Marketing and email marketing solutions. It assists its clients in optimizing their relationships. Headquartered in Orlando Florida, the company operates offices in New York and Atlanta serving many Fortune 1000 clients. The Company's global client base includes General Motors, Tyco, Electronic Arts, Earthlink, FOX and other clients that understand the importance of a strong Internet presence. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.mindcomet.com.

About MyThum Interactive Inc.

MyThum Interactive Inc. is North America's leader in interactive mobile media, enabling a direct channel of communication with consumers through their mobile phones. Since 2002, MyThum's innovative solutions, market expertise and industry leadership have launched more than 300 mobile initiatives, many of them the first of their kind in North America. Our wide range of mobile services includes SMS, interactive television, downloadable content, mobile coupons, interactive voice response (IVR) and mobile commerce solutions. MyThum's North American partnerships include Nokia, Rogers Communications, Lavalife, CHUM Television, Shoppers Drug Mart and CanWest Global Communications, as well as the Canadian operations of Warner Music, Molson Coors and Universal Music. Working with these and other partners, MyThum has powered mobile marketing campaigns for top brands such as McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Nike, Olay, KitKat, Always and Carlsberg. MyThum is a privately held company based in Toronto, Canada.

About Hagerty

Hagerty is the leading insurance agency for collector vehicles and boats in the nation and host to the largest network of collector car owners. Hagerty offers collector car insurance, financing and roadside assistance, as well as a variety of useful information resources. The company works proactively on hobby legislation and supports the Collectors Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preservation of the hobby. For more information, call 800-922-4050 or visit www.hagerty.com.

SPEED is the nation's first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in nearly 70 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on-demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services.