March 31, 2005 – Posted From Trans-Am Public Relations
CONTACT: Justin Anderson,
Ph: 704-348-9400, Cell: 704-589-2100
INDIANAPOLIS (March 31, 2005) – Each 2005 Trans-Am Series race during the 2005 season will air in one-hour time slots on SPEED’s midday and afternoon Saturday and Sunday schedules. 2005 Trans-Am television coverage begins Sunday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m. ET with the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The broadcasts, which will run on a one-week, tape-delayed basis, will be anchored by veteran play-by-play announcer Rick Benjamin and color commentator Derek Daly. Pit reporting duties will be handled by Jon Beekhuis and Calvin Fish.
Respected sports production company Molson Sports & Entertainment will produce the 2005 broadcasts. Molson Sports & Entertainment has produced the world feed for the Champ Car World Series events in Canada in recent seasons, providing coverage from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. The company has also produced events for National Hockey League games, the 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.
Molson Sports & Entertainment’s production team will be headed by Director of Broadcast Operations Claude Briere, who will work closely with Senior Manager of Broadcast Operations Jim Wilkes.
“Trans-Am on SPEED is a great for Trans-Am racing,” said Trans-Am Executive Director John Clagett. “SPEED Channel is known for its excellent coverage of motorsports and is America’s leading source for racing programming. To have Trans-Am races slotted in the coveted weekend time slots is a big step forward.”
“We’re also pleased to welcome back Rick Benjamin, Derek Daly, Jon Beekhuis and Calvin Fish,” added Clagett. “All four have a long history of respected motorsports television journalism and have done a great job in the past, calling Trans-Am races. Combining this all-star broadcast team with SPEED Channel’s long history of motorsports coverage and Molson Sports & Entertainment’s expertise assures top-flight television coverage for 2005.”
Along with the Long Beach event, Sunday air dates include the second through seventh races of the tour: Portland International Raceway, June 26 at 12:30 p.m.; Cleveland Grand Prix at 3 p.m. on July 3; Molson Indy Toronto, 12:30 p.m. on July 17; Edmonton, July 24, 12:30 p.m.; and San Jose, Aug. 7, 12:30 p.m. Sunday coverage will conclude on Aug. 28 at 3 p.m. with coverage from the 36th consecutive Trans-Am race at Road America. Saturday air dates are: Round 7 from the Grand Prix of Denver on Aug. 20 at 1 p.m.; and the Molson Indy Montreal, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. The Series plans to add a 10th date to the schedule, which will be announced soon. All times and dates are subject to change. Please check local listings.
The Trans-Am Series kicks off its 40th season of competition April 8-10 during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. The Trans-Am race is scheduled to start at approximately 3:15 p.m. PT, immediately following the Champ Car World Series race.
SPEED Channel, entering its 10th season in 2005, is the nation’s first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED Channel delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 68 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country. For more information, please visit SPEEDTV.com.
