(Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545)
MX MADNESS!2009 has Motors TV as the exclusive broadcaster for the Motocross World Championships, with all 15 rounds of both the MX1 and MX2 classes screening live on the ‘High Speed Television’ channel. April is a particularly hectic month with no less than three rounds packed into the schedule which include the Bulgarian, Turkish and Benelux GPs. An intense month of competition, with the first two races taking place back-to-back, should set the scene for a classic season. The Turkish round in particular will draw added interest thanks to the track’s spectacular location in central Istanbul, while Bulgaria marks the start of the Women’s World Championship, which for the first time also enjoys live television coverage. The season’s seven races will supplement Motors TV’s mammoth year of MX coverage, with defending champion, France’s Livia Lancelot, among the early season favourites.
WMXRound 1, Sevlievo (Bulgaria), Sunday 5 April starting at 9am.
MX1 + MX2Round 2, Sevlievo (Bulgaria), Sunday 5 April starting at 10am.Round 3, Istanbul (Turkey), Sunday 12 April starting at 10am.Round 4, Valkenswaard (Benelux), Sunday 26 April starting at 11am.MORE TWO-WHEELED ACTION!March generally means the start of a new season for motorsport’s multitude of disciplines, but it’s April where the major battles commence and the year really takes off. 2009 is no different, with two of Motors TV’s longest featured and most eagerly anticipated championships unlikely to disappoint as they get down to the nitty-gritty of a new campaign.
The World Superbike Championship has become a genuine rival to Moto GP thanks to a plethora of star riders and influx of manufacturer teams. Motors TV has two-hour highlights of the very best of each weekend’s two WSBK races, as well as action from the Supersport category, on the Thursday following every race weekend. After the season openers in Australia and Qatar, April sees the Superbike circus return to Europe with rounds scheduled at Valencia (Spain) and Assen (the Netherlands), the latter rightly considered to be the temple of motorbike racing.
The start of the European season also means riders in the Superstock 1000cc and 600cc championships will get their first chance to impress, with highlights of both screened just before Motors TV’s coverage of the main event, making Thursday nights World Superbike night!
Motors TV has been a partner of the World Enduro Championship (WEC) since the inception of the series as well as the official TV producer and broadcaster, and will continue to provide first class coverage of this burgeoning championship. Don’t miss the Spanish and Italian rounds of the 2009 season this April with our 26 minute highlights programme.
Superstock 1000 & 600: Round 1, Valencia (Spain), Thursday 9 April at 7.30pm.Round 2, Assen (the Netherlands), Thursday 30 April at 7.30pm.
World Superbike & Supersport:Round 3, Valencia (Spain), Thursday 9 April, starting at 9pm.Round 4, Assen (the Netherlands), Thursday 30 April at 9pm.
WEC:Round 2, Igualada (Spain), Thursday 2 April at 8.30pm. Round 3, Iglesias, Sardinia (Italy), Thursday 23 April at 8.30pm.
THE BEST OF ENDURANCE RACINGThe new American Le Mans Series season is set to begin amid much fanfare in March as the prospect of a Peugeot / Audi / Acura battle and the arrival of BMW in GT2 sets mouths watering. April then sees the regular season resume with two races scheduled. They could hardly be staged further apart, with Round 2 in St Petersburg (Florida) and Round 3 at Long Beach (California)! The circuits may be opposites in terms of geographical location, but these two street tracks have plenty in common with their twisty layouts and long straights conducive to plenty of overtaking.
As always the American Le Mans Series will be given the VIP treatment on Motors TV with both races screened delayed-as-live.
ALMS:Round 2, St Petersburg (Florida), Sunday 5 April, starting at 3pm.Round 3, Long Beach (California), Sunday 19 April, starting at 5pm.HAMILTON, YOU SAID HAMILTON?Yes, not the 2008 Formula One World Champion though, but the New Zealand city which hosts the second round of the V8 Supercar Championship. Last year was the circuit’s debut on the calendar of Australia’s most prominent motorsport series and was dominated by then-reigning champion Garth Tander. 2008 title winner Jamie Whincup missed the round following a big accident in practice, so be certain that he’ll be hugely motivated to erase that memory!
V8 Supercars:Round 2, Hamilton (New Zealand), Sunday 19 April, starting at 2pm.NOT TO BE MISSED...INSIDE GP – Inside Grand Prix returns to preview each round of the Formula One in the week prior to the race. 3D modelling of each circuit as well as interviews with drivers and reports from the teams give a unique not-to-be-missed insight to the world of F1.Inside GP special China, Monday 13 April at 9pm. Inside GP special Bahrain, Monday 20 April at 9pm.
MOBIL 1 THE GRID – A new weekly 26 minute programme dedicated to the best of motorsport worldwide including the Formula One, NASCAR and Indycar. The show provides a complete overview of the world of motorsport at 9pm.
Mobil 1 The Grid, Friday 3, 10, 17 and 24 April at 9pm
PILOT STORIES 3 – The third instalment of our documentary series which sees some of the biggest stars of motorsport go back in time to reminisce about their careers with the help of iconic photos from the archives.
Pilot Stories – Episode 3, Wednesday 15 April at 7pm.
RACE & RALLY UK - Bringing the best of on-track and off-road motorsport, Race & Rally UK travels across the country in search of the best race and rally action each Friday on Motors TV!
Race & Rally UK, Friday 3, 10, 17 and 24 April at 9.30pm.
US SPEEDWAY - US Speedway features the most famous American Speedway track, Costa Mesa, as it celebrates its 40th season. Events include the AMA Nationals, the US National Speedway Championships, the Jack Milne Cup, the Spring Classic, the Fair Derby, the Fall Classic and 2008’s only official USA test match, where they were host nation versus the Rest of the World. Each Sunday at 8pm.
US Speedway, Sunday 5, 12, 19 and 26 April at 8pm.
