TWO LIVE ITV SLOTS FOR BRANDS HATCH RACE DAY
Television network ITV will significantly expand its coverage
of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s
three rounds at Brands Hatch, Kent on 19 August, with live
Sunday afternoon broadcasts on both its ITV4 and ITV1 channels.
ITV4 will show a complete re-run of race one before cutting
to the circuit for full live coverage of race two. This is
in addition to the previously already confirmed live broadcast
of race three on terrestrial channel ITV1 that will follow
later in the afternoon.
Transmission times are:
ITV4: 12.30pm-2.30pm
ITV1: 2.50pm-4.20pm
The expanded coverage means a total of three and a half hours’
air time of action for free-to-air television viewers across
the UK of what is the latest instalment of Jason Plato’s
and Fabrizio Giovanardi’s fight to become the 2007 BTCC
Drivers’ Champion.
Meanwhile, the re-scheduling of ITV’s transmission
times has meant alterations to the race day timetable, with
the three BTCC races now set to start at 10.50am, 1.35pm and
3.40pm respectively. A full timetable is available from the
official BTCC.net website’s Calendar section.
BTCC Series Director Alan Gow says: “ITV’s continued
commitment to the BTCC should be applauded. Viewers have been
kept on the edge of their seats by the action so far and now,
thanks to ITV, they will be able to savour all three Brands
Hatch races in their entirety – two of them live –
as the season reaches a critical stage. I’m sure all
BTCC fans will join me in congratulating ITV on its decision.”
Nick Moody, ITV Sport’s Series Editor, adds: “Brands
Hatch could have a major bearing on the outcome of this year’s
BTCC title and during the weekend we now have an opportunity
on both ITV4 and ITV1 to give greater air time to the championship
and give viewers extended coverage of what is a very exciting
rivalry.”
Plato, who drives for SEAT, currently leads the championship
by 14 points from Vauxhall’s Italian ace Giovanardi.
But with 15 points per win and nine rounds – including
the three at Brands Hatch – to go, that lead could quickly
vanish. Also with a chance of the title are Team Halfords
Honda team-mates Matt Neal, the reigning champion, and Gordon
Shedden.
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