TOPEKA, Kan. (March 5, 2009) WC Vision announced today the continued partnership with SPEED to broadcast all 10 Rounds of the 2009 SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Championships. Internal Combustion Group has been signed to produce the broadcasts.Working with feedback from fans, teams, sponsors and industry leaders, the 2009 programming will deliver action-packed racing along with behind-the-scenes, personality-focused moments. This years SPEED World Challenge broadcasts will combine each SPEED GT and SPEED Touring Car Round into a single, fast-paced, one-hour program. Broadcasts will continue to air tape-delayed on SPEED.To help create the exciting, up-close and personal programming that SPEED World Challenge fans are looking for, WC Vision has signed Internal Combustion Group, owned by long-time series announcer Tom Hnatiw (pronounced Nat-choo), to produce this seasons broadcasts. In business for 20 years, Internal Combustion Group has produced quality programming for The Export A Formula 2000 Championship, Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship and North American Super Touring Championship. Hnatiw and company are planning to invest a significant amount of time into post-race production to ensure a clean and concise one hour program, which captures the drama of each race.We welcome the addition of Tom Hnatiw to World Challenge, said SPEED SVP of Production & Network Operations Rick Miner. As a series insider, he will no doubt bring great knowledge to the production.My mandate from WC Vision is to make the most electrifying racing show on TV and that's just what we're going to do, Hnatiw said. "I've been a fan of World Challenge from the start and even competed in a few of the early rounds. It really is a dream come true to be chosen to bring this renewed version of the Championship to life on SPEED."Hnatiw, who produces other SPEED programs, such as Dream Car Garage and Sports Car Revolution, will continue to be the voice of World Challenge for the new shows with his enthusiastic, no-holds barred style that fans love.The new partnership with Internal Combustion Group will also give the series the opportunity to add more enhanced video and audio features to the SPEED World Challenge Web site, enabling those who cant make it to the track to still be a part of the action.SPEED Channel reaches more than 70 million U.S. households and is the channel of choice for our fans, automotive and motorsports enthusiasts, WC Vision Vice President of Marketing and Communications Dave Drimmie said. Theyve been an integral partner in the growth and development of the World Challenge series. The Internal Combustion Group has a ton of experience producing top-notch automotive programs for SPEED and given Tom is so passionate about our series and motorsports, I am confident they will produce a high caliber, exhilarating program for our fans.A full broadcast schedule for the 2009 SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Championships will be announced shortly.The Toyo Tires SPEED World Challenge Season Opener at Sebring is rapidly approaching, March 18 20. More information can be found at www.world-challenge.com.
