Fleming Lincoln Limited Supports Successful Funding of Crashdotnet and its Acquisition of Autocourse.

Fleming Lincoln Limited, the provider of active support and assistance to fast growing companies, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a mandate for Crashdotnet's £500,000 fund raising and subsequent acquisition of the renowned motor sport titles of Autocourse, Motocourse and others from Profile Media Group plc.

Bryn Williams. (Left) Managing Director, Crash dot Net Limited, with Co-founder Martin Nolan.

Crashdotnet, the leading publisher of internet-based media in the motor sport world, appointed Fleming Lincoln in early 2004 to support them on strategic development. Fleming Lincoln worked closely with Crashdotnet's owners, initially identifying important aims and expectations of individuals key to the company's future. The company was successful in raising loan finance from Barclays Bank plc in mid 2004, which set in motion an exciting expansion of the business. Often acting as part time Crashdotnet executives, Fleming Lincoln facilitated the development of a sound strategy centred on a strategic acquisition of a directory of Grand Prix statistics by identifying and resolving the critical factors and resource gaps.

The opportunity to purchase the Autocourse titles required rapid response to secure the deal, and to raise the necessary funds. As a result of the experience of Fleming Lincoln, the company was able to demonstrate a well-supported, broad and professional negotiation position to the vendors.

"We would never have been prepared enough for either the fund raising or the acquisition if we had not engaged Fleming Lincoln a year earlier. A golden opportunity to put Crashdotnet at the head of the pack would have been missed," says Crashdotnet's Chief Executive and founder, Bryn Williams.

Fleming Lincoln also provided valuable experience in co-ordinating Crashdotnet's legal and financial advisors in the acquisition and the fund raising, significantly streamlining the process. "With Fleming Lincoln's help we negotiated an excellent purchase agreement with the minimum of involvement of our executive team, enabling us to concentrate on the day to day business activity," comments Bryn Williams.

Angus Fleming, a Director of Fleming Lincoln, notes: "Bryn recognised what we could bring to the table, at a point in time where his company was presented with key strategic choices, a lot to lose if the wrong decisions were made and potentially a lot of cost even if the right decisions were made. He gave our team the chance to show our strengths, both in an initial preparatory role and subsequently when we rolled up our sleeves alongside Crashdotnet's executives".

With a very short timeline on the acquisition opportunity, it was essential that legal resources were focussed productively. "We were able to use a wealth of experience in working with lawyers to streamline and accelerate the legal processes throughout both the funding and the acquisition, thereby closing the transactions speedily and reducing Crashdotnet's exposure to legal costs," says Jeremy Lincoln, the Fleming Lincoln Director who co-ordinated legal aspects.

About Crashdotnet
The company was formed by Bryn Williams and Martin Nolan on 1st March 1999, initially as an online publishing house and web development agency but over the years the company has grown to include Offline Publishing, Merchandise, Internet Radio, Grand Prix Archive Statistical and Photographic Database and an FIA accredited Motorsport Photographic Agency.

The company is based in the Silverstone Innovation Centre at the Silverstone Circuit, the home of British motorsport and employs 18 staff comprising editorial, photographic, production, marketing, management and web development.