BTCC RETURNS TO LIVE ITV1 SUNDAY AFTERNOON SLOTTelevision coverage of the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will step up a gear when it returns to a regular live Sunday afternoon slot on ITV1 for the second half of its season.
Live coverage on the UK’s most popular commercial terrestrial channel will enable millions of keen BTCC viewers to keep abreast of Britain’s biggest motor racing series.
Each ITV1 broadcast will be a minimum of 90 minutes and feature live coverage of race three, plus highlights of the earlier races one and two. Transmission times will be published soon.
Dates to tune into ITV1 are:
Sunday 15 July, Donington Park, BTCC rounds 16,17&18Sunday 29 July, Snetterton, BTCC rounds 19,20&21Sunday 19 August, Brands Hatch, BTCC rounds 22,23&24Sunday 2 September, Knockhill, BTCC rounds 25,26&27Sunday 14 October, Thruxton (Finals Day), BTCC rounds 28,29&30
The opening five BTCC fixtures of 2007 have received live coverage on the ITV3 channel (available to 80 per cent of the population via Freeview or cable/satellite), followed by evening highlights on ITV1. Viewers have witnessed Vauxhall’s Fabrizio Giovanardi and SEAT’s Jason Plato rise to the top of the 26-strong grid in what is arguably the closest title battle for more than a decade.
BTCC Series Director Alan Gow says: “We are returning to ITV1 at the perfect moment – now millions more viewers will be able to enjoy the excitement as we enter the second phase of what is turning into a truly great sporting contest and rivalry.
“Prime time positioning on ITV1 of course also increases the BTCC’s profile still further which is great news for the teams, drivers, sponsors and especially the fans.
“ITV should be congratulated for putting such tremendous support, commitment and enthusiasm behind the BTCC. I am sure its excellent coverage will make for compelling viewing.”
ITV1 will also continue to show highlights of the day’s BTCC action on Sunday nights after each race day. Repeated highlights will be broadcast on ITV’s Men & Motors channel in the following week.
In addition, each BTCC race day will continue to receive comprehensive coverage on subscription channel Setanta Sports. Donington’s, Snetterton’s and Thruxton’s race days will be covered live in their entirety (including all the support race action as well). Brands Hatch’s and Knockhill’s fixtures will be broadcast as highlights.
