The XM Satellite Radio VICI Racing team is ready for their #18 Porsche-Fabcar to hit the track as part of the 45th running of the Rolex Daytona 24 hour race this weekend.

The action kicks off at Daytona International Speedway this Saturday at 1:00pm ET and runs for, well, 24 hours as the black-and-yellow car joins other Prototypes and GT machines in the legendary endurance race.

The Rolex 24 features drivers from NASCAR, the IndyCar Series, Champ Car, and international competition.

For pics and info, check out VICI Racing's website. 

XM Satellite Radio is launching "GRAMMY Radio" on XM LIVE (ch 200) starting on February 9th through February 11th, which just happens to be the evening of the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

GRAMMY Radio will feature the first live broadcast of the GRAMMY Awards, red-carpet interviews from the GRAMMY Awards , and broadcasts of the performances the dreamy superstar artists during GRAMMY Week.

On top of GRAMMY Radio and related GRAMMY programming, XM has launched "XM Star Treatment: A Night at The GRAMMYs" a sweepstakes put together with Circuit City. Peeps who purchase and activate an XM radio from Circuit City through January 27th will be eligible to win tickets to the GRAMMY Awards telecast, plus hotel and airfare, behind the scenes access and more.

And if you want to follow the journey to the GRAMMYs with XM, go check out the new XM GRAMMY Blog. 

And here's XM's CES Innovations Awards Honorees.

Delphi SkyFi3

XM Mini-Tuner.

And while the Bushnell ONIX 400 was MIA (or maybe I just couldn't find it), here's the KVH TracVision A7 low-profile mobile video antenna receiver. It uses a hybrid phased-array antenna technology to receive DIRECTV, XM Satellite Radio and local channels to cars.

It's a day before CES 2007 officially opens, but there's no need to wait for Monday to get the scoop on what XM is showing. Nope, in fact, here's an overview of what I've learned is in store for the geeky masses at this year's CES.

The first XM radios were introduced at CES way back in January 2001. This year XM continues the CES tradition by having a large CES display booth (approximately 70' x 90') in the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall in booth 4606.

The XM display at CES will include:

• The incredible Bushnell ONIX 400 Weather Tracker 3-in-1 GPS/XM/Weather Tracking device. More on this shortly.
  
• XM is unveiling the new Delphi Premium Sound System for the Delphi SkyFi3. Don't call it a "boombox" because the Premium Sound System is a portable speaker system with advanced acoustics - far too advanced to be called a "boombox." The system offers a modular docking connector that is designed to work with multiple XM radios, including the SkyFi3, MyFi, RoadyXT, and the Audiovox Xpress.
  
• Delphi will also show a new kit for integrating the SkyFi3 with the Bose Wave system. The integration kit includes a universal remote that operates both the SkyFi3 and Bose system seamlessly.
• The new XM CommanderMT - the lovable (but aging) XM Commander gets an upgrade with the addition of the removable XM Mini-Tuner cartridge. The new universal CommanderMT satellite radio receiver delivers XM via a slim, sleek faceplate that can be integrated seamlessly into the car’s dashboard.
• There will be a large wall in the CES booth that'll display many new XM Mini-Tuner capable car stereos, including upcoming models from Panasonic, Sony, Alpine, Pioneer, and Jensen. No more clunky traditional tuner boxes - these all work with the removable XM Mini-Tuner. The newest XM-ready home audio systems will also be on full display.
• An expanded line of nav-systems with XM Radio and the XM NavTraffic real-time traffic service will be on site, including the latest Pioneer multimedia systems and the new Garmin Zumo 550 for motorcycles.
• Inno/Helix users who want Audible content will sure be smiling now, because XM will unveil new software for storing audio editions of books, newspapers, magazines, and other content from Audible. The Audible software for XM2go/MP3 portables is expected to be available in spring 2007.
• XM will also demonstrate the latest cell phones from Cingular and Alltel that receive XM Radio Mobile, as well as hands-on displays of XM's plug-and-play radios. Different kiosks (more like "pods") will allow people to experience XM at the show.
• Along with XM's "Infotainment" vehicle, five different XM-equipped vehicles from GM, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Porsche will be parked inside the XM booth.

CES is a-comin' and I'll be there faithfully providing non-stop coverage to you, the yearning masses. I intend on getting absolutely no sleep while I'm there, and loving every minute of it.

Strap in kids, we're going to Vegas baby!

Coverage begins on Sunday. 

CES 2007 is soon upon us next week and the excitement is building (not mention that MacWorld is going on the same week, building it's own level of excitement for our favorite "competitive" device).

So here's a bit of a breakdown of what both XM's and Sirius' presence at CES 2007 will be, as well as other related retail manufacturers.

First off, like last year's CES, Sirius will not be having their own booth but will instead be sharing a section of the Directed Electronics booth (North Hall, Booth #301 - that's the green highlighted booth on the right in the map pictured above).

Last year Sirius held a private showing at the Bellagio (which later became the lovable nickname for the now Sirius Stiletto), but they didn't have any significant public announcements that year. It's possible that the same may be the case for this year, although the Sirius Stiletto 100, Stiletto Antenna Headset, Sirius Conductor, Sportster 4 and the SiriusConnect Home were given CES Innovations Awards so they will probably be on display. It is important to note that Mel Karmazin will be in Vegas next week as well, so who knows what's to come.

XM on the otherhand will be exhibiting at CES in their own booth (North Hall, Booth #4606 - the green highlighted booth on the left). XM's booth is flanked by Honda (to the right) and Delphi (to the left), not to mention iBiquity/HD Radio (upper-right... which is somewhat entertaining). It's hard to say exactly what XM will be doing, but we do know that the XM Mini-Tuner, the Delphi SkyFi3 and the absolutely incredible Bushnell ONIX 400CR were awarded CES Innovations Awards so they will most likely be there.

XM will also have their XM "Infotainment" vehicle on display, showcasing the first-ever personal weather tracking system. But as for any other announcements? We will soon find out.

Other exhibitors of note are Delphi (North Hall, Booth #5206), Audiovox (Central Hall, Booth #11006, and #10506), Xact Communication (Central Hall, Booth #9817), Humax (Hilton, Booth #2665 and #2765), Wistron NeWeb (South 1, Booth #20919) and of course WorldSpace (The Venetian, Booth #209).

Of course, if you're not attending CES this year - have no fear - because you'll be able to get  obsessive in-person coverage of CES right here on Orbitcast.