The successful Motors TV Live Raceday concept, which saw UK club motorsport beamed live from Mallory Park to TV screens across Europe, is to be repeated in 2011 at circuits across England.
Motors TV has enthusiastically committed to an expanded schedule of programmes next season, with six live broadcasts provisionally planned from Thruxton, Castle Combe, Mallory Park, Snetterton, Croft and Donington Park.
The concept trialled at Mallory Park in May was hugely successful and was well received by competitors, TV viewers, race organisers and the media. Enjoying live coverage of Club racing for the first time in many years, viewers from across Europe shared the excitement and spectacle of 14 closely fought 10-minute races interspersed with a lively commentary from David Addison, Barry Lee, Diana Binks and Matt James. The programme was more than five hours long, with additional live commentaries in six languages fed from the Motors TV studios in Paris.
Full grids of sports cars, racing saloons and single seaters provided a mixed diet of excellent racing. Each championship raced twice, from rolling starts, which ensured that downtime was kept to a minimum.
“The combination of full grids, short races and live television proved to be a winning formula at Mallory Park,” says Magnus Laird, the promoter, “and it is our belief that the expanded programme planned for 2011 will revolutionise the way in which Club racing is televised.”
Made possible by the ground breaking wireless broadcast technology of Worcestershire based specialist film company Hayfisher, this initiative marks the dawn of a new era of motor sport coverage. Previously the preserve of terrestrial broadcasters with six figure budgets, the unparalleled flexibility and economy of Hayfisher’s wireless camera system brings the cost of live outside broadcasting within reach of Club racing for the first time. With exceptional production values, featuring state of the art onboard camera systems, the quality of the coverage is acknowledged to be industry leading.
Funded through a modest increase in entry fees, there is no longer a reliance on organising clubs and series sponsors to fund the cost of television. As a result of changes to the format, race entry fees have been reduced for 2011 to an inclusive figure of either £275 or £285 per double-header, depending on the venue.
The majority of Motors TV Live Racedays will feature giant trackside 40-metre screens displaying the live output, which will not only enhance the spectators’ viewing experience but also remind the competitors that they are live on air across the whole of Europe. Following each race meeting, the competitors will receive a free DVD of their race coverage.
Confirmation of the calendar and participating championships will be issued in early November.
