A close-up look at the mount that will house the revolutionary new 360-degree high-definition cameras that will transmit stunning onboard footage from IndyCar Series coverage by ESPN on ABC in 2008, including the 92nd Indianapolis 500.

By Dave Lewandowski
indianapolismotorspeedway.com

Thursday, January 10, 2008

ESPN on ABC's coverage of the 2007 Indianapolis 500 was the first IndyCar Series event ever to be televised in high definition. In 2008, all IndyCar Series races will be broadcast in HD.

Of course, that includes the 92^nd Indianapolis 500-Mile Race on Sunday, May 25 plus qualifications on May 10-11 and 17-18 on ESPN, ABC and ESPN2. High-definition coverage also extends to the 16 Indy Pro Series race telecasts on ESPN2, including the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Complementing the fixed cameras at racetracks will be onboard cameras able to pan 360 degrees and utilizing HD technology - a domestic motorsports first. IMS Productions, the in-house television production outlet of the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is upgrading its facilities and equipment and building a high-definition production truck so it can shoot, produce and broadcast in high definition for all of its clients.

"We are extremely pleased to be working in conjunction with ESPN to showcase the speed and excitement of IndyCar Series racing in the clarity and wide-screen format of high-definition television," said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series and the Indy Pro Series. "The addition of the 360-degree onboard camera for the first time in the United States continues the IndyCar Series' role as a leader in innovation and technology while offering our teams added value for their sponsors."

Broadcast Sports Inc., which developed the system, worked with the league's technical team on wind tunnel simulation and aerodynamic research to ensure the new mount does not affect race car aerodynamics at speeds of more than 220 mph.

ESPN on ABC will televise the Indianapolis 500 for the 44^th year - a relationship that is the second-longest in sports between a network and sports property behind CBS and The Masters.

"The Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series are very important to ESPN and our affiliates," said Bryan Burns, ESPN vice president, strategic business planning and development. "Taking our coverage to the next level with high definition has been a priority for us and the series, and will enhance the breadth of our HD services. We're happy that sports fans will be able to reap the rewards all season."

***

2008 IMS tickets: Tickets for all three world-class events in 2008 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - the 92^nd Indianapolis 500, 15^th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP - are on sale.

Fans have three easy methods to buy tickets: Online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; or visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16^th St. in Indianapolis from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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