Three TV specials highlight Sebring week
03/16/09 Three television specials, including one live prime-time telecast, are featured this week on two different networks as the world’s top sports car drivers head to Sebring, FL for one of the world’s most grueling endurance classics – the 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida.
SPEED starts off the trifecta for sports car fans with “American Le Mans Series: A Look at 2009", a one-hour live special from Sebring International Raceway at 7:00-8:00 pm ET on Thursday, March 19 with hosts Leigh Diffey, Brian Till, Calvin Fish and Dorsey Schroeder, and pit reporters Jamie Howe and Justin Bell who joins the SPEED team for the first time this year. The network will interview drivers, team owners and corporate partners in a glimpse at the 57th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida as well as provide an overview of the coming 2009 campaign.
SPEED will follow the one-hour live presentation with a special from 8:00-9:00 pm ET that evening called “Project LMP1: Acura’s Next Challenge". It features Acura’s descent to LMP1 where it will take on traditional behemoths Audi and Peugeot. In addition to on-track test footage, the feature goes behind the scenes with de Ferran Motorsports and Patr¢n Highcroft Racing to unveil the complexities of creating and managing a program at the highest level of sports car racing.
The back-to-back specials have encore presentations later that evening at 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. A third viewing is available Saturday, March 21 at 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. with Acura’s special to re-air at 9 a.m. Saturday, immediately prior to the 10:30 a.m. green flag for the 57th running of the 12 Hours. In addition “Project LMP1: Acura’s Next Challenge" will also air Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m.
ESPN debuts “Truth in 24" documentary at 8:00 p.m. ET Friday, March 20. “Truth in 24", produced by Emmy-winning NFL Films, is a dramatic look at the evolution of Audi Sport and its now legendary R10 TDI race car as it prepares for and competes in the world’s most famous auto race – the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The chronicling of the 2008 Le Mans classic showcases the critical strategy that resulted in one of the most dramatic calls in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
SPEED’s live telecast of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida begins at 10:00 a.m. ET Saturday, March 21 and concludes at 11 p.m. with only a two-hour absence for other programming from noon to 2:00 p.m.