Ford's Octane Academy to become reality TV series on FUEL TV

Ford's Octane Academy action sports campaign has gotten so much interest from aspiring race car drivers that they are going to make it into its own TV show, named none other than Octane Academy, to air on FUEL TV, the 24-hour extreme sports television network. The Octane Academy contest going on now has people from all over the country posting interview videos of themselves on the website for everyone to see and rate as 'Fame' or 'Lame.' After the contest is over, a few lucky fans will get paired with their favorite Ford action sports driver: either Ken Block, Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan, or Vaughn Gittin Jr, to go to motorsports camps to see if they have what it takes to hang with the big guys.

The Octane Academy reality show will follow the driving contestants for thirteen episodes as they get put through the paces of the four different motorsports camps. It will open up with contestants revving the engine of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor truck as they get ready to compete in Brian Deegan's off-road motorsports camp. The other camps will include the viral video sensation Ken Block as he will give contestants their own Gymkhana experience behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta, Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. as he will show contestants how to shred the tires off of a Ford Mustang GT 5.0 in an opposite-lock drift, and X Games double-medalist Tanner Foust will give his contestants the sport-compact experience of a lifetime in a Ford Focus ST.

The winner of each camp will drive home a new Ford vehicle of their choice.

Octane Academy will be the first-ever motorsports-themed show on FUEL TV. “FUEL TV is the perfect match to not only capture the drama of Octane Academy but to give fans access to the ultimate action sports experience like never before," said Ford general manager of marketing John Felice. "We are thrilled to be able to share the excitement of Ford’s Octane Academy with the millions of fans who can now be part of the action-packed camps from the comfort of their own home through our collaboration with FUEL TV and the creation of the Octane Academy TV series." Ford has said that the response to the contest has been overwhelming, with 850 video submissions and a total of 6,000 applications. "The response rate, creative video submissions, and passion to be part of Octane Academy have exceeded our expectations," said Ford brand content manager Crystal Worthem. It has been Ford's most successful consumer-participation program, even more than the Fiesta Movement.