The new twin driver from Sega was kept under wraps until show day and was an immediate hit with players and operators. Seen as the most popular driver at the ATEI it appeals to all generations and features Ford cars across all eras from the classic Capri to the new Ford GT.

Mick Blanche, Crown's Sales Director said, "Sega is renowned for producing classic drivers and our customers were telling us they wanted Ford Racing. Sales at the show were very strong, and enough for us to be able commit to a significant number. We were delighted to be able to get the exclusive as sales continued to come in after the ATEI and have now almost sold through our initial commitment".

Paul Williams added, "The response to Ford Racing Full Blown was very strong and we are please that Crown were able to take a large proportion of the first production. The support for this product has been very positive across all territories and we are already looking to commit to further productions, particularly with strong orders from America and Asia".

Ford Racing is uniquely designed with an inbuilt software upgrade that will automatically update the all cabinets simultaneously with new cars and tracks at a preset date.

He will take up the newly created role and initially be responsible for managing the promotion of WCCF as well as overseeing the continued roll out of further units across the UK. He will manage a team of soon to be appointed promotions staff. "The creation of this new promotions team adds to the dedication and commitment that Sega are putting behind WCCF", commented Sega's Justin Burke.

Many in the industry will be aware of Beauchamp as he has worked for Sega on a freelance basis over the past three years promoting Derby Owners Club, WCCF and through his presence at UK trade shows for the company. "Mark has excellent people skills bringing a new depth of experience and insight to the team and will be able to dedicate his efforts towards WCCF, he is greatly respected at all the locations he has come into contact with over the past three years we are delighted he has agreed to join us on a full time basis", continued Justin Burke on this latest appointment.

Talking about the importance of WCCF Burke offered that "the multiplayer format has been a pivotal product in the regeneration of arcades in Japan and we are confident that we will have a similar effect within Europe. However the product is very different from traditional video and requires a great deal of promotion to educate both the players and the operators. Mark will be able to converse directly with both the operators and players to promote the game".

The Milanese payment system manufacturer, increases its presence on the foreign market.

The European branches France, Iberica and Polka and the offices in Germany, Argentina (for South America) and in Australia, already work independently on their own markets; to further strengthen the presence on the international market, today, the group leader announces three new alliances.

As from January, the Comestero Group?s distribution and assistance network, already widespread in Italy, can boast of the addition of three new distributors: Brent Electronic (Great Britain), Automated Transaction GmbH (Germany) and SML Entertainement (Canada).

The deal with Brent Electronic, a company of the Bandai-Namco group, was concluded a few days before the London trade fair Atei; in fact at this international event, we took the opportunity of inaugurating this new union by exhibiting the complete range of Comestero?s products on the Brent Electric stand. This partnership between two well-known and respected companies in Great Britain was welcomed warmly, not only by the British market, but also by others. This interest was confirmed by the numerous visitors interested in the RM5 coin validator, in the EuroKey Plus cashless payment systems, in the large range of change machines, including the new Jolly, Dual coin Plus with reader equipped with stacker, the Changeuro Easy Plus and in the coin counter/sorter.

Another important European alliance is represented by the deal stipulated with Automated Transaction GmbH, a German company of the Innovative Technology group, the main manufacturer of Smiley banknote readers.

Representatives of the two manufacturing companies are convinced that it will be always more important to supply customers with a complete kit of payment systems supported by a widespread customer service, which can supply constant assistance; this is the basic aim of the agreement.

Comestero Group will also be able to strengthen its strong technical-commercial position in Germany, where there is already a working office managed by Mr. Sonke Dahms, and further increase the successful results obtained in the last 24 months.

The team Innovative Technology (smiley NV readers) - Comestero Group (RM5 electronic coin validator) can be considered a guarantee, because the machines have already been tried and tested on millions of professional equipment specific for the Gaming, Vending and Car-washing sectors.

Another distribution deal has been signed with SML Entertainement: a well known and appreciated company in the gaming sector. This known Canadian company will be a focal point for the North American market, thanks to its 12 Canadian branches and one Mexican branch.

To reinforce its position on the international market, at Atei, the company celebrated its internet dominium www.comesterogroup.com dedicated to international markets. On this website it is possible to have up-to-date information about the whole range of products with a detailed list of all the Comestero distribution and assistance centres world-wide.

The agreement, which was struck with the Milan-headquartered company in the week prior to ATEI 2006, raises the number of exclusives held by Brent to over 30 - covering sectors including music, pool, security, dedicated spares and money handling.

Sales director, Peter Murphy believes that the agreement with Comestero works well for both companies: "We can certainly provide Comestero with great exposure and sales in the UK and the fact that they have chosen us to represent the range is a powerful endorsement of Brent Electronic's standing in the market."

He added: "Even though we had no time to pre-publicise the agreement, which was completed on the Friday prior to ATEI, the response to the range - in particular Comestero's low cost change machines - was magnificent and augurs especially well for the future."

Piero Martellotta, export sales manager at Comestero Group, welcomed the agreement, saying: "The UK is an important market for amusements and gaming. It's vital that we maximise market share and I believe that in Brent Electronic we have found a distributor that has the infrastructure, contacts and professionalism to take us to a new level."

Other products included Basket Fortune which is tipped by many to be this years must have redemption product.