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©2000 SpeedCenter Publishing Fans of Championship Auto Racing Teams' FedEx Championship Series will be treated to more supplementary television programming than ever before with two programs that will feature the open-wheel racing series, both on cable and over the air, in 2000. 'Inside CART,' a magazine-style show that will air 25 times on ESPN2 beginning May 23, is a half-hour program that will feature the personalities and the behind-the-scenes activities that allow CART to take its FedEx Series to 20 locations in five countries on four continents. 'Inside CART' will air Tuesdays at 6 p.m. ET for 16 weeks and in the 5:30 p.m. ET time slot on Tuesdays for a nine-week period. The program will be produced by CART, with CART Vice President of Broadcasting Keith Allo serving as executive producer. The bulk of the show will be shot on location at CART race venues throughout North America with post-production work being done at TeleVideo Studios in Troy, Mich. "We are really looking forward to the return of 'Inside CART,' " said Allo, who initiated the program in 1997 and oversaw its evolution through 1998 before it went into hiatus last season. "It allows fans a real behind-the-scenes look at CART, its drivers, owners, officials, sponsors, promoters and the rest of the FedEx Championship Series community." Don Helms, senior manager of broadcast services, and Josh Lieberman, senior coordinator of broadcast services, will also work on the show. A yet-to-be-named senior producer - a new position in CART's broadcasting department - will oversee the day-to-day operation and management of the program. "ESPN2 is known for its high-quality motorsports coverage, so having 'Inside CART' on ESPN2 on Tuesday evenings is a great way to reach auto racing fans," said Allo. "The stories will be shot at the race tracks, the race shops and the homes of key people in our series. It will provide fans with information they will not find anywhere else on television. We will make an announcement soon regarding on-air talent." 'CART Insider' is a new concept in 2000 and also is a 30-minute program. It is designed to air in each race market in the weeks prior to the race. The show will include personality stories, technical features and technology pieces. Additionally, each show will have a segment called "Who's Hot" updating fans on the key stories heading into each race, as well as providing ticket information and other material of local interest. Essentially, 17 different programs will be produced and local television outlets, as determined by the local event promoter, will air the show leading up to the race. "This show is an excellent way for us to further educate the public on CART, what we do and who the people are who make this sport so exciting," said Allo. "And it should work well for each promoter because they will be handing a finished, half-hour program to their local TV partners for airing in advance of the race. The local stations will have the ability, if they choose, to insert their local talent, as a voice-over or on-camera. Several of our race promoters are already putting the finishing touches on how to best customize the show for their race markets." As with 'Inside CART,' the 'CART Insider' program will be produced by CART, in conjunction with Gears Communication in Los Angeles, with Allo, Helms and Lieberman playing key roles. Each of the 20 races in the 2000 FedEx Championship Series will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. The 20 airings account for 45 hours of programming, which does not include at least one re-air of each race on ESPN or ESPN2, in addition to qualifying and pre-race programs each race weekend. "Our ABC and ESPN television package allows us to reach out to an international audience every race weekend," said CART Chairman and CEO Andrew Craig. "One billion people tuned into our races worldwide last year and we broadcast to more than 190 countries in 19 languages. Here in the U.S., we see 'Inside CART' and 'CART Insider' as two more excellent opportunities to grow CART's presence."
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