(Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545)
V8 SUPERCARS: SEASON FINALEThrilling action from 2009 V8 Supercar Championship continues on Motors TV with the prestigious series traditionally being the last to end in each calendar year. This year is no exception with the final round set to play an important role in the destination of the title while taking place at an unfamiliar venue.
Due to the points system, it’s rare for a champion to be crowned before the season finale, and this year is no different as Jamie Whincup and Will Davison fight for the title. That battle is set to be as hard fought as ever but will take place in new surroundings.
This year, the final round of the season will be held in Sydney, right in the middle of the Olympic Park in Homebush, where the 2000 Games took place. This special destination will also provide a spectacular backdrop on TV. Two 500km races are planned in front of an anticipated crowd of several hundred thousand spectators.
Both races will be screened in full, Delayed-as-Live on Motors TV one week after the initial running. That’s not the end of the good news for V8 Supercar fans however as the ‘High Speed Television’ channel will also broadcast the 2009 season review show on 27 December in a not-to-be-missed four-hour programme. All the best action will be on view including from the big races in Adelaide, Phillip Island, Sydney and, of course, Bathurst.
Sydney, Races 25 and 26 of the 2009 season – Sunday 13 September at 5pm.Season Review – Sunday 27 December at 5pm.BUILD OR BUST: MECHANICAL REALITY TV!The charismatic Russell Mitchell is a former veterinary surgeon who emigrated to the United States to pursue a career as a model. Having been obsessed by motorbikes since childhood, he is now the boss of Exile Cycles, a company which manufacturers around 20 exclusive top-of-the-range choppers each year, sometimes costing $100,000 each!
In Build or Bust, the tattooed ‘Bad Boy’ puts apprentice mechanics to the test. The challenge is simple: spend a month at Exile Cycles, the black sheep of the motorcycle industry, and design and manufacture a motorbike from A to Z. If the motorbike gets the approval of the boss, then the lucky apprentice can ride it into the sunset, but if not, they’ll leave on foot.
The problem is the boss’ standards are almost draconian in nature! Also, his band of crazy, impatient employees are not there to make the contestants lives any easier. Errors are numerous and often not pointed out to the unhappy apprentice until it’s too late!
This new mechanical reality TV show, Build or Bust, has so far been a huge success and December brings the screening of episodes 8, 9, 10 and 11.
Build or Bust – Wednesday 2, 9, 16 and 23 December at 6pm.
ARCA: AMERICAN STOCK CARSFor several seasons, Motors TV has devoted time on its winter schedule to the ARCA Series. The second division of NASCAR-style racing, ARCA acts as a feeder series to the top flight and is an ideal proving ground for young racers looking to become the next Jimmie Johnson. The cars are almost identical to those found in NASCAR and the series contains experienced racers as well as the odd star-of-tomorrow, racing on ovals across the USA. The occasional European driver has also been known to make an appearance, including Frenchman Michel Disdier who competed in 12 races this season.
Daytona – Saturday 5 December at 9.15pm.Rockingham – Saturday 12 December at 9.15pm.Talladega – Saturday 19 December at 9.15pm.Pocono – Saturday 26 December at 9.15pm.ASIAN FESTIVAL OF SPEEDAnother series to take centre stage on Motors TV each winter is the Asian Festival of Speed which organises several championships in Asia each year, including the support packages at the Malaysia, China and Singapore GPs. Action comes in the form of the Porsche Carrera Cup, Formula BMW Pacific, Asian GT3, and Asian Touring Car series. Highlights are screened every Tuesday from 9.15pm.
AFOS – Tuesday 8, 15, 22 and 29 December at 9.15pm.
NOT TO BE MISSEDSportscars Winter Series – A new series conceived by the ACO and organised by ORECA. The Winter Series caters for Formula Le Mans prototype and GT3 cars and takes place at Paul Ricard.Saturday 5 and 12 December at 4pm.
The best of French Motorsport - Over the festive period, Motors TV will feature the ‘best of’ French Motorsport from across the season, giving a petrol-fuelled tinge to your Christmas pudding!THP Spider Cup – Friday 18 December at 6.30pm.Volant 207 Peugeot – Saturday 26 December at 4pm.Clio R3 Trophy – Saturday 26 December at 4.30pm.Suzuki Rallye Cup – Saturday 26 December at 5pm.
MX TV – Australia’s most popular home-grown dirt bike TV Show, MX TV, covers all aspects of dirt bike riding and racing both in Australia and via exclusive content in the US. Every Saturday at 11am.THE BEST OF BRITISH MOTORSPORTEvery month the ‘High Speed Television’ channel brings the best action from the domestic scene.
Lotus Elise Trophy – A packed grid of Lotus Elises, Exiges and 2 Elevens heads to the Home of British Motorsport, Silverstone, for the penultimate round of the 2009 season. Look out for F1 commentator Jake Humphrey making his racing debut!Friday 4 December at 7.05pm.
Race & Rally UK – It doesn’t get any more grass roots than Race & Rally UK which features the very best action from the UK’s thriving club motorsport scene. December sees action from the 750 Motor Club’s action-packed programme at Snetterton as well as highlights from the Tour of Mull rally in Scotland.Friday 4, 11, 18 & 25 December at 9.15pm.
British Hillclimbing Championship – Motorsport in perhaps its rawest form, Motors TV brings the British Hillclimb Championship season review. Re-live the best bits as Scott Moran and Martin Groves enjoyed an epic season-long battle for the title.Saturday 26 December at 8.10pm.
Scottish Motorsport – As well as the best action from England, Motors TV heads north of the border to dip into the thriving motorsport culture in the home of the legendary Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart, Scotland. Action comes from the Saloon Car and Classic Car series as well as Scottish Formula Ford and Ford Fiesta XR21 championships.Wednesday 2 December at 8.10pm.Wednesday 9 December at 8.10pm.
