TV Distributors Looking for Motor Racing Content

TV Distributors Looking for Motor Racing Content

Author
Discussion

H18 ENF

Original Poster:

698 posts

168 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
Morning All,

As some of you may or may not know I work as an independent Tv Producer/Director.

I'm being approached reasonably frequently at the moment by distributors looking for Motor Sport related tv shows. If anyone is involved in a racing series I'd be interested in hearing from you.

Thanks

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
Are they looking to cover an existing series or create some sort of "faux TV" type motor racing based programme - like "Formula Woman" of a few years back?

williamp

19,213 posts

272 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
I always thought it would be interesting (but perhaps not that entertaining) to follow a group a young drivers in their first season racing. And maybe do follow-ups each year to see who made it, who became an estate agent etc.

H18 ENF

Original Poster:

698 posts

168 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Are they looking to cover an existing series or create some sort of "faux TV" type motor racing based programme - like "Formula Woman" of a few years back?
They don't mind, there's just a big gap in the market and not a lot of content. I'm interested in existing series as its easier to make...!

H18 ENF

Original Poster:

698 posts

168 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
williamp said:
I always thought it would be interesting (but perhaps not that entertaining) to follow a group a young drivers in their first season racing. And maybe do follow-ups each year to see who made it, who became an estate agent etc.
Could be indeed, though would be a slightly more difficult sell as it would depend more on personalities rather than high octane fueled fun. Certainly a decent idea though

tapkaJohnD

1,930 posts

203 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
Looks like Top Gear will be in the BBC's Clearance Sale soon!
John

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
H18 ENF said:
Eric Mc said:
Are they looking to cover an existing series or create some sort of "faux TV" type motor racing based programme - like "Formula Woman" of a few years back?
They don't mind, there's just a big gap in the market and not a lot of content. I'm interested in existing series as its easier to make...!
I would much prefer to follow a genuine existing series on TV rather than some made up nonsense. Unfortunately, TV tends to want to concentrate on "soap" elements - either real or manufactured. And it also wants to "control" proceedings - so something they've created and can manipulate is more to their liking. They also like to portray people as if they are some sort of "journey" - which drives me up the wall.

Personally, I'd love a series looking as hill climbing and/or sprinting. There are lots of enthusiastic characters involved at this level and some innovative home grown technology - as well as historic and classic sports and racing cars.

Maybe it's too "nerdy" for the "masses" so TV don't go near such activities - but I like it.

velocemitch

3,795 posts

219 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
Historic Road Rallying, might be worth a look. Its a very easy to access way of competing in motorsport, pitches a wide variety of Cars against each other on a fairly level playing field, with events all over the country. Have a look at the HRCR Clubmans Championship or look up NESCRO.

There is also HERO (Historic Endurance Rallying organisation), they add a more commercial (and exclusive) side to the sport but already have regular coverage on TV, on Motors TV.

jurbie

2,339 posts

200 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
There are loads of interesting stories.

There was the quadriplegic chap who raced at Le Mans the other week, missed the boat on that one but would have been fascinating looking at the technology that allowed him to compete.

Woman in motorsport? Not the drivers but the engineers from multiple Le Mans winner Leena Gade right through to those doing a bit of spannering at club level. I know one team whose truckie is also the grid girl. Maybe talk to the grid girls as well, much maligned as a relic of an unsavoury past yet most are bright intelligent women having a laugh and earning a few quid.

The bloke who runs Mission Motorsport post here from time to time, I'm sure he'd love a programme about the Race of Remembrance.

Team Brit, injured squaddies competing in various championships.

24 hour racing always throws up good stories, whilst hanging out with Toyota at Le Mans this year would have made quite a programme, how about following a bunch of mates running a car on a shoestring budget in one of Creventics 24 hours races. Maybe follow a team running the latest GT3 in the top class at the same time to see the difference in approach but how the emotions in each garage will be exactly the same.

What about the marshalls or behind the scenes at a major circuit through a season.

I could going on but I should be working but happy to chat over PM if any of this resonates.


Sigmamark7

314 posts

160 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
What about Castle Combe? The circuit has masses of history, full entries for its championships, great racing, 100mph laps in the Sports Racing Class, a well run racing club, plus for extra content, there is the inevitable clash between the noise of motor racing and the very beautiful village of Castle Combe next door.
Follow a couple of drivers at opposite ends of their careers, another couple at opposite ends of the required racing budgets and add in the struggle for the circuit to remain financially viable and you have at least 6 episodes.
Let me know when I can collect the Royalties for the suggestion and I can guarantee that I will spend it all on racing at Combe!

DanielSan

18,747 posts

166 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
velocemitch said:
Historic Road Rallying, might be worth a look. Its a very easy to access way of competing in motorsport, pitches a wide variety of Cars against each other on a fairly level playing field, with events all over the country. Have a look at the HRCR Clubmans Championship or look up NESCRO.

There is also HERO (Historic Endurance Rallying organisation), they add a more commercial (and exclusive) side to the sport but already have regular coverage on TV, on Motors TV.
The Historic Endurance is one of the single dullest things on Motors though, whether that's down to low budget or just the seemingly complete lack of action I'm not sure but please god don't let someone else broadcast more of this.

AlexRS2782

8,025 posts

212 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
Given the current financial situation with Motors TV I imagine there will probably be a number of UK race series broadcast on that platform looking for a new broadcasting outlet in the near future.

MG CHRIS

9,077 posts

166 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
Im competing in my first year of timed based events. The javelin sprint day series runs to sprint format but outside of msa rules so means its an ideal step up from track days. Series in its 3rd year now has grown to have its on events with 60+ cars at each meeting from competition cars/kit cars/track day cars and road car classes plenty of variety of cars and drivers.

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
quotequote all
If they'd like to show the WEC / ELMS / WTSCC / Blancpain and British GT live that'd be smashing thanks

petery

357 posts

209 months

Wednesday 6th July 2016
quotequote all
I run a team that looks after cars in Caterham championship and we are one of 4 official Caterham race teams. and also run Ginettas in the MSVR GT cup championship been doing it for quite a few years. Have one running as a full season and a 2nd due to join in in the next month or so.

If interested drop me a message

velocemitch

3,795 posts

219 months

Wednesday 6th July 2016
quotequote all
DanielSan said:
velocemitch said:
Historic Road Rallying, might be worth a look. Its a very easy to access way of competing in motorsport, pitches a wide variety of Cars against each other on a fairly level playing field, with events all over the country. Have a look at the HRCR Clubmans Championship or look up NESCRO.

There is also HERO (Historic Endurance Rallying organisation), they add a more commercial (and exclusive) side to the sport but already have regular coverage on TV, on Motors TV.
The Historic Endurance is one of the single dullest things on Motors though, whether that's down to low budget or just the seemingly complete lack of action I'm not sure but please god don't let someone else broadcast more of this.
Mmmmm fair point...... biggrin

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Wednesday 6th July 2016
quotequote all
Tons of motor sport now gone missing from UK TV with the demise of Motors TV.

williamp

19,213 posts

272 months

Wednesday 6th July 2016
quotequote all
another thought: find a new start up team in, say the WEC. I have always wondered how they choose the chassis, engine, engineers etc (and who you hear about them: do you walk into a Porsche dealership and order a 911 RS Le mans spec? Ditto Ferrari or Aston?. And what about the prototype? They don't have the dealership, network at all, so how do you know they will be competitive??

How do they choose the drivers? The livery? sponsors?

I think that would be fascinating.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:


Personally, I'd love a series looking as hill climbing and/or sprinting. There are lots of enthusiastic characters involved at this level and some innovative home grown technology - as well as historic and classic sports and racing cars.

Maybe it's too "nerdy" for the "masses" so TV don't go near such activities - but I like it.
They may be enthusiastic - but some can be difficult to listen to over as pint, let alone on the tele!

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
quotequote all
Just like F1 maybe?