tool name
closeSpeed to carry live, taped coverage of Le Mans 24 Hours
Thursday, Jun. 12, 2008
SPEED will once again broadcast the world's most prestigious endurance race with live coverage from France's famed Circuit de la Sarthe 8.5-mile road course - a combination of permanent race circuit and countryside roadways - starting Saturday, June 14 at 8:30 am E.T.
In concert with the race’s French world feed, the SPEED broadcast team will be a large one as Leigh Diffey and Greg Creamer share play-by-play duties with color commentary from sports car racing veterans Calvin Fish and David Hobbs, who has run this auto racing marathon 20 times. On pit road will be former racers Brian Till, Chris Neville, Justin Bell and sports car announcing veteran Andrew Marriott.
"It's the most prestigious sports car race in the world and draws more than 250,000 people from every country and nationality," said coordinating producer Pete Richards. "It's also one of our most challenging productions, as the integration of the world feed combined with SPEED's customized production make this race a huge undertaking."
There will be many a battle playing out throughout the 24-hour period. Recently, the LMP-1 category and the overall victory have been dominated by Audi, who has won seven out of the last eight races. This year, they may face their stiffest test since 2003, when Bentley shocked the gathered masses with its triumph. Peugeot - which won the 24 in 1992 and 1993 - has brought its 'A' game for this year's race.
"It should be a titanic battle between the two teams," said Hobbs, who also provides color for SPEED's Formula One coverage. "The real question for Peugeot is do they have the reliability and organization to win this thing? This is their second year and they have some experience, but when you're going up against the organizational power of Audi - it will be tough for them."
As with tradition at Le Mans, it's a race within a race, as three other categories will be taking the green flag. In the LMP-2 category, Porsche will face competition from 10 teams, while Chevrolet's venerable Corvette will take on a strong Aston Martin program. In GT2, Ferrari will be battling it out with Porsche.
"There will be intense battles throughout the race," Hobbs continued. "Definitely keep your eyes on the Corvette-Aston Martin battle. That could be a real good one."
Prior to broadcast, SPEED will once again preview the race with two special presentations of Le Mans Test Day and Le Mans Pre-Qualifying - beginning at 7:30 am E.T. on that Saturday.
SPEED coverage, 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours (all times Eastern)
Saturday, June 14
7:30 a.m. Le Mans Test Day (tape)
8:00 a.m. Le Mans Pre-Qualifying (tape)
8:30 a.m. Le Mans 24 Hours (The Start)
9:00 p.m. – Midnight Le Mans 24 Hours
Sunday, June 15
Midnight – 9:30 a.m. Le Mans 24 Hours (Live - The Finish)