RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Aug. 11, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar Latin America., a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services including the SPOT Messenger product family, today announced that the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ has been made mandatory by race organizers of the 18th Sertoes International Rally. All registered class drivers including cars, trucks, motorcycles and quads, must be outfitted with a SPOT Messenger device on their vehicle.
The 4,486 km Rally held August 11 -21st, covers six Brazilian states mostly outside of cell phone communications. Due to the remoteness of the race, the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ will provide all competitors with satellite-based messaging and emergency communications, independent of mobile networks.
The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ sends GPS enabled signals via the Globalstar satellite network allowing for near real-time public viewing on Google Maps™. The race organizers can track the locations of each driver during the Rally. In case of an accident or emergency, the drivers can send an alert for help with their location coordinates to the race organization or an emergency rescue coordination center.
"Each year, the competition and route has become more technical and demanding," states Edu Sachs, Technical Director and Rally organizer. "The route passes through sparsely populated regions where they have little assistance, hence the importance of SPOT to help locate the riders during the race."
"The SPOT Messenger provides unmatched value for both the competitors and the Rally organizers," said Adilson dos Santos, Manager of Mare Outdoor who outfitted the Rally with the SPOT Messengers. "By knowing the geographic location of each driver, the medical teams can respond more quickly providing necessary aid and recovery when they receive a Help message from SPOT. The Tracking feature on SPOT will also them to know where each driver is and when they can expect them to cross a check point."
Adventurers, athletes and race organizations around the world, including those associated with the Baja 1000 and the Sultan Marathon Des Sables Adventure Race, have utilized SPOT GPS technology for additional safety as well as providing online race tracking for fans.
"We are pleased that SPOT has been the selected satellite-based safety and tracking device for the 18th Sertoes International Rally," said Juan Porras, General Manager of Globalstar Latin America. "The SPOT Messenger is built rugged enough to provide reliable satellite messaging solutions for the world's best Rally drivers as they compete across remote regions of Brazil when other means of communication are not available."
SPOT sends GPS-based pre-defined messages via satellite to select contact groups including family, friends and co-workers and allows others to track their location in near real-time on Google Maps™. In an emergency, SPOT will transmit SOS message alerts to an International Emergency Rescue Coordination Center with the SPOT owner's GPS location. Since market introduction in November 2007, the SPOT product line has initiated more than 600 rescues in more than 51 countries on land and at sea.
About Sertoes International Rally
The 18th edition of Sertoes International Rally is the world's second biggest rally race. Starting in Goiania city (GO), competitors will cross distant regions of Brazil towards the cities where each day's competition will start and finish: Caldas Novas (GO), Unai (MG), Alto Paraiso de Goias (GO), Dianopolis (TO) Palmas (TO), Sao Felix do Tocantins (TO) Balsas (MA) Teresina (PI), Sobral (CE) and Fortaleza (CE). Sertoes International Rally has built a tradition over 17 editions: no repeated routes while increasing the difficulty each year. For more information, visit www.rallydossertoes.com.br/.
About Spot LLC
The SPOT product family uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer's location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to friends, family or an emergency service call center. SPOT LLC, a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), provides emergency notification technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. Thanks to this affordable, cutting-edge personal safety device, the company offers people peace of mind by allowing customers to notify friends and family of their location and status, and to send for emergency assistance in time of need, completely independent of cellular phone or wireless coverage. For more information on how Spot LLC is helping others stay connected - from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure - visit www.findmespot.com.
Note to reporters: You may download high resolution images of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ in the SPOT online press room.