Sprint Nextel has finished fine-tuning its FanView, and will begin selling the gadgets at California Speedway in September. FanView is part radio, part scanner, part television and part statistic service. A limited number of hand-held devices have been available to rent at each race this season, but the public has clamored for more.

Starting in September, fans can purchase them at race tracks or online, starting at $369.95. Each device will need to be activated every time it is used for an additional $10 fee. The FanView has in-car audio for the entire field, in-car cameras for select drivers, the capability to replay the last three minutes of team communications, up-to-the minute points standings and statistics on which drivers have gained or lost the most positions.

Dean Kessel, director of Nextel’s marketing, said the company won’t stop improving the product after its rollout. “It’s still evolving,” he said. “We’ve had feedback on things from fans – like the fuel window, fans often want to know what the window for that particular track is and when a driver needs to pit. Nothing is concrete, but we are listening to feedback and looking at ways to continue to improve.”

[AP]

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