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French star Sarrazin completes Veloce Racing driver line-up
- Versatile French legend joins W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick for Season One
- Sarrazin aiming to add Extreme E success to impressive career CV
- Cross-country specialist Lance Woolridge appointed reserve and development driver
Veloce Racing has completed its driver line-up for the inaugural season of Extreme E, after signing successful French all-rounder Stéphane Sarrazin to partner reigning W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick. In support of this duo, South African cross-country and off-road specialist Lance Woolridge joins the team as reserve and development driver.
Sarrazin has enjoyed a long and diverse career in the sport, and arrives at Veloce boasting an impressive résumé. Whilst perhaps best-known for his sportscar racing exploits – with six podium finishes in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, two Le Mans Series titles and multiple victories in the FIA World Endurance Championship to his name – he has a far more versatile CV than many of his Extreme E rivals, which should serve him well in the pioneering new electric off-road racing series.
In 1999, Sarrazin contested the Brazilian Grand Prix and continued to carry out Formula 1 testing duties until the end of 2002. Four seasons in the FIA Formula E Championship yielded three rostrum visits and 21 points finishes, while in 2011 and 2012, he tested his mettle in Australia’s V8 Supercars Championship.
Since 2004, the Gard native has also made successful appearances in the FIA World Rally Championship, increasingly honing his off-road expertise. From 22 starts at the highest level, he has achieved ten points-scoring results – highlighted by a brace of fourth places – and in both Germany and France in 2005, he finished just one position behind Subaru World Rally Team stablemate and 2003 World Champion Petter Solberg.
Sarrazin’s first international rallying triumph came on the 2014 Tour de Corse – the finale of that year’s FIA European Rally Championship season – and from three Monte-Carlo Rally outings as part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, he has never finished lower than fourth, with a podium to his credit in 2009. That experience makes him well-equipped indeed to deal with the variety of surfaces and conditions competitors are likely to encounter in Extreme E.
Stéphane Sarrazin, Driver, Veloce Racing, said:
“I am delighted to have agreed terms with Veloce Racing to contest the first season of Extreme E. This is a hugely appealing new series that has already attracted a lot of international attention – and all before the racing has even begun! As a driver, the concept is tremendously exciting and motivating – both on a competitive and personal level – and the challenge will be like no other.
“I’ve driven a lot of different types of car during my career, but the ODYSSEY 21 really is something special and it’s going to generate some incredible action. When we went testing together, it did not take me long to ‘click’ with the Veloce Racing guys – like me, they arrive in Extreme E with a lot of experience from different disciplines in the sport, and that can only be to our advantage over the forthcoming campaign. I can’t wait to go racing!”
Sarrazin and Chadwick will be supported throughout the forthcoming campaign by Lance Woolridge, who has established a fearsome reputation for his off-road endurance skills in his home country.
Born into a motorsport family – his father Neil Woolridge is a multiple cross-country champion on both two wheels and four, and tackled the iconic Dakar Rally in 1998 and 1999 – Woolridge already has 12 seasons of competition under his belt at the age of just 29. Not only that, but he has been breaking records every step of the way, including becoming the youngest driver in South African history to win a national championship cross-country event.
One of the leading protagonists in the South African Cross Country Series (SACCS), he secured consecutive Class T championship crowns in 2018 and 2019.
Lance Woolridge, Reserve and Development Driver, Veloce Racing, said:
“I’m thrilled to be joining Veloce Racing as reserve and development driver. Having tested the ODYSSEY 21 a couple of times now, I can vouch for the fact that it is a seriously impressive piece of kit and I’m confident that my background in cross-country rallying and with similar vehicles will enable me to offer valuable feedback to Stéphane, Jamie and the engineering crew. I’m looking forward to playing a key role behind-the-scenes to help give the whole Veloce Racing team the best possible chance of success.”
The 2021 Extreme E season will travel to five remote locations around the world, all of them damaged by climate change, as the series aims to shine a spotlight upon global environmental issues. The action will begin in AlUla, Saudi Arabia (3-4 April) before moving on to Dakar, Senegal (29-30 May), Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (28-29 August), Para, Brazil (23-24 October) and Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina (11-12 December).
Ian Davies, Team Manager, Veloce Racing, said:
“We are delighted to announce Stéphane as our male driver for the first season of Extreme E and to confirm Lance’s reserve and development role within the team. Both of them tested with us at MotorLand Aragón last month, and to be honest, they gave us a real headache in terms of who to choose. Since we didn’t want to lose either, in the end, we decided to sign them both.
“Both Stéphane and Lance worked extremely well with Jamie and Veloce’s engineering team at the test, and their different skillsets and experience complemented each other perfectly. Stéphane is very much an all-rounder – a master of endurance racing but also clearly extremely adept in sprint and off-road competition – while Lance is well-accustomed to vehicles like the ODYSSEY 21 from his cross-country racing and has a very well-developed mechanical understanding.
“Both guys were quick out-of-the-box in Spain, and we believe both will bring a great deal to Veloce Racing as we aim to hit the ground running in Saudi Arabia. We are confident that with Jamie and Stéphane driving and Lance working hard behind-the-scenes, we have a very strong team indeed.”
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The 2025 edition of the ICE Landmark Awards, the initiative which celebrates milestone achievements and successes in international gaming, took place on the middle day of ICE Barcelona. Presented on the show floor during the world’s biggest ever gathering of gambling industry professionals, the Landmark Awards recognised watershed events, milestone achievements and contributions from a cross-section of progressive organisations and individuals.
Explaining the background to the Awards, Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of Clarion Gaming said: “We felt that there was a place for a totally original Awards program which was accessible, open to everyone in the industry and which recognised a very significant milestone or achievement.
“The first edition of the Landmarks to be held in Barcelona represents a stellar line-up of winners all of whom have made a major contribution to the industry. I am delighted to confirm that the 2025 Landmark Award winners are: EvenBet Gaming (20th Anniversary); Win Systems Group(30th Anniversary); International Betting Integrity Association (20th Anniversary); Novomatic Group (45th Anniversary); Aristidis Tsikouras, CEO of GeWeTe (25-years of service with the MERKUR Group); Pieter Remmers, founder-chairman of Assissa G4 (35-years dedicated to responsible gambling); Tracy Cohen, director of marketing at TCSJOHNHUXLEY (30-years’ service to the industry) and Jan Jones Blackhurst, board member at Caesars Entertainment and CEO-in-residence at the International Gaming Institute, University of Nevada Las Vegas (Pioneering leadership in gaming, politics and philanthropy).
Reflecting on his Landmark, Pieter Remmers confirmed: “I’m very happy to receive this award. I’ve been in this business a very long time. When you look at my resumé, it seems like my career has been dedicated to responsible gambling, so it’s very gratifying to have my work recognised in this way.”
Jason Foley-Train, head of International Development at the International Betting Integrity Association added: “We’re delighted to receive this prestigious Landmark Award from Clarion Gaming. ICE is a cornerstone of the gaming industry, and it’s an honour to be recognised by an event with such a rich history and enduring impact.”
Since their introduction in 2019 over 50 individuals and organisations have been recognised with an ICE Landmark Award. Recipients have included the innovators, developers, entrepreneurs, pioneers and personalities who make the international gambling industry truly unique.
The post Trailblazers recognised at ICE Barcelona as Landmark Award winners announced appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
LiveScore, the global sports media business and one of the world’s leading real-time sports update providers, has today announced former Premier League and Bulgarian football star Dimitar Berbatov as official European brand ambassador for both LiveScore Media and LiveScore Bet; two central components within the LiveScore Group sports ecosystem, across Europe.
LiveScore has been Fuelling Fans’ Passion for Sport since being founded in 1998 and has evolved to become one of the world’s best-loved media brands. This partnership underscores the brand’s commitment to enhancing the experiences of football fans worldwide through drawing on the expertise of Berbatov for content, media appearances and campaign work.
With an illustrious career spanning Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Fulham in the Premier League, the Bulgarian remains a revered figure in the sport with a strong UK profile. Berbatov was recently the ambassador for LiveScore’s ‘Extra, Added Time’ campaign, where he encourage fans to take additional time for their mental health.
As part of this campaign, throughout November, LiveScore donated £250 to charity for every key Premier League moment delivered via its app post-90 minutes.
Dimitar Berbatov, Official European Ambassador for LiveScore and LiveScore Bet, said: “I’m excited to continue my partnership with LiveScore, following the success of our ‘Extra Added Time’ campaign. Together, we’ve shown that football can inspire positive change, and I’m excited to build on that momentum.
“LiveScore has been a leader in delivering real-time football updates, always ensuring fans are at the forefront of the action. As someone who has lived and breathed the sport, I’m proud to represent the brand and look forward to helping bring fans even closer to the game we all love.
LiveScore CEO Sam Sadi commented: “We are proud to welcome Dimitar Berbatov as our brand ambassador. His iconic status in European football, combined with his ability to inspire fans on and off the pitch, makes him the perfect fit for LiveScore.”
The post LIVESCORE ANNOUNCES DIMITAR BERBATOV AS OFFICIAL EUROPEAN BRAND AMBASSADOR appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience, because we’ve got some exciting news! The dates for the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo (BEGE) 2025 and Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) have officially been locked in!
��️ When? – November 26-27, 2025
� Where? – Inter Expo Center, Sofia
Join us for two exhilarating days packed with fascinating talks, networking with industry leaders, startups, and loads of fun activities. Here are some of the key events and highlights you can look forward to during this edition:
Exhibition Hall – Discover innovative products and services from leading companies in the industry. Our exhibition features a diverse range of exhibitors, showcasing the latest technologies and solutions in gaming and entertainment.
Networking Opportunities – Connect with fellow professionals, potential partners, and investors during different networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and idea exchange. With over 80 exhibitors from 60 different countries, this is the perfect chance to build valuable relationships and explore new business opportunities.
BEGE Awards Ceremony – We are privileged to recognize the best achievements in the industry over the past year. Join us to celebrate the outstanding performances and contributions of individuals and companies that have made a significant impact on the industry.
The legendary BEGE Party – After an exciting day of networking and learning, get ready to let loose and have a blast at the BEGE Party! Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment, music, and celebration. Expect an electrifying atmosphere, special performances, and great company. Don’t miss out on the ultimate networking
and entertainment experience
Startup Zone – Explore the next big thing in gaming with our Startup Zone, showcasing innovative new companies that are redefining the industry landscape.
Keynote Presentations – Hear from industry visionaries as they share their insights on the latest trends and innovations in gaming and entertainment.
Panel Discussions – Engage with experts on critical topics such as regulatory changes, technology advancements, and market strategies that will shape the future of the industry.
Proximity Zone – Become a part of the live-stream interviews throughout both days of
the exhibition.
Mark your calendars, set those reminders, and get ready to join the best in the business!
We’ll be rolling out more details soon, so keep an eye on your inbox for updates, sneak peeks, and all the juicy tidbits. Trust us, you won’t want to miss what we have planned!
Let the countdown begin!
The post BEGE and EEGS 2025 Dates Announced! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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