INDIANAPOLIS (January 21, 2005) – The Champ Car World Series will turn to one of the most experienced sports production companies in all of North America to produce the broadcasts of the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford in 2005, naming Molson Sports & Entertainment Inc. to produce the television package for the 2005 Champ Car World Series season.
Molson Sports & Entertainment has produced the world feed for the Champ Car World Series events in Canada in recent seasons, providing the world with all of the turbocharged racing action from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
‘I’m delighted that Molson Sports & Entertainment and Champ Car have agreed to extend our motorsport partnership to include the broadcast of the series,’ stated Jo Ann McArthur, President, Molson Sports & Entertainment Inc. ‘Our team will utilize years of live broadcast experience to bring the Champ Car television viewer closer to the racing action.’
Along with providing first-rate coverage of Champ Car action, Molson Sports & Entertainment live broadcasts have included National Hockey League season games, Stanley Cup Championship Series, World Championship Boxing, Major League Baseball, Triple A Baseball, National Lacrosse League, CFL Football, Arena Football, North American Soccer League, CPGA Golf, Men’s and Women’s Professional Tennis, Major Junior Hockey League, Offshore Powerboat Racing and Equestrian events.
‘Our primary concern heading into the 2005 season was to find a way to improve the scope and quality of our television broadcasts,’ said Champ Car President Dick Eidswick.. ‘Our new agreement with Molson Sports & Entertainment will provide our fans around the world with first-class coverage of Champ Car racing at every event.
Combining Molson Sports & Entertainment’s production with our new multi-year network deals with NBC and CBS, as well as live European coverage with Eurosport and Eurosport 2, we believe we are giving our fans one of the strongest television packages available.’
Molson Sports & Entertainment’s Champ Car program will be headed by Director of Broadcast Operations Claude Briere, who will work closely with Senior Manager of Broadcast Operations Jim Wilkes.
‘We take great pride in being selected by Champ Car to produce the live broadcasts for the series,’ said Briere. ‘We are confident in taking this challenge on based on our experience and expertise in live television coverage of major sporting events. Just like in racing, the key to success in live television is hard work and a dedicated team.’
The 2005 Champ Car World Series season gets underway April 10 with the 22nd running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, an event that will be covered live on NBC.
Contact Champ Car Communications (317) 715-4100