The first ever FIA World Rallycross Championship will benefit from live UK television coverage for the majority of races after securing a major deal with British Eurosport.
Eight of the twelve rounds of the event will be shown live on either British Eurosport or British Eurosport 2 with most enjoying two hours of coverage on Sunday afternoons, including the British round at Lydden Hill on May 25.
Only the races in Finland, Sweden, Canada and France will not be shown live, but delayed action will still be broadcast shortly after each event.
British Eurosport’s TV deal is a further boost to the new series, which announced last week that former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve will be taking part in the series, driving for Scottish team Albatec Racing.
Having televised the FIA European Rallycross Championship last year, British Eurosport has extended its relationship with IMG Motorsport, promoters of the new FIA world series.
Highlights and repeats will also form part of the comprehensive UK TV package with a season preview and review similarly in the pipeline.
Continuing to lead the British Eurosport commentary team will be the respected ‘voice of rallycross’ Andrew Coley.
“British Eurosport’s commitment to televising the entire FIA World RX Championship this year – the vast majority of it live – is a tremendous boost to our rapidly growing series,” said Martin Anayi, Managing Director of the FIA World Rallycross Championship for IMG Motorsport, a division of IMG.
“With its exhilarating blend of flat-out, wheel-to-wheel rallying and circuit racing, rallycross’ popularity is very much in the ascendancy, and the fact that UK-based fans will be able to follow all of the breathtaking action on TV is excellent news.
“Rallycross is well-acknowledged to be one of the most thrilling sports to witness trackside, but it is also one that lends itself perfectly to the small screen.
“All of us at FIA World RX are immensely enthusiastic about the prospect of working closely alongside British Eurosport again this season, and we are looking forward to seeing the increased coverage and promotion that will accompany it – as, I’m sure, are all of the championship’s fans.”
“Rallycross was a popular fixture on British Eurosport’s scheduling in 2013, and the advent of the new FIA World Championship this year is another great fillip for the sport,” added British Eurosport Managing Director, David Kerr.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with FIA World RX promoter, IMG, to further spread the reach of this exciting sporting discipline.”
British Eurosport’s deal to cover the inaugural World Rallycross Championship adds to its line-up of top class motorsport in 2014.
The pan-European broadcaster will still be the home of live World Superbike Championship and British Superbikes races, as well as World Touring Cars, grand prix speedway, motorcross world championships and much more.
The provisional schedule for British Eurosport’s FIA World RX coverage in 2014 is detailed below with all timings listed for UK audiences subject to change
The first of the two-day events takes place in Portugal in early May, with the 2014 series taking place predominantly in Europe including rounds in Britain, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Turkey.
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FIA World Rallycross Championship 2014
. May 4: Montalegre, Portugal LIVE: 2.00pm-4.00pm British Eurosport 2 May 25: Lydden Hill, UK LIVE: 2.30pm-4.30pm British Eurosport 2 June 15: Hell, NorwayLIVE: 2.30pm-4.30pm British Eurosport June 29: Kouvola, Finland Delayed: 6.00pm-7.00pm British Eurosport 2 July 6: Höljes, Sweden Delayed: 4.30pm-6.30pm British Eurosport July 13: Mettet, Belgium
LIVE: 1.00pm-3.00pm British Eurosport 2 August 9: Trois-Rivières, Canada
Delayed: 1.30pm-3.30pm British Eurosport 2 September 7: Lohéac, France
Delayed: 6.00pm-8.00pm British Eurosport September 21: Estering, Germany
LIVE: 1.00pm-3.00pm British Eurosport September 28: Franciacorta, Italy
LIVE: 1.00pm-3.00pm British Eurosport 2 October 12: Istanbul Park, Turkey
LIVE: 12.00pm-2.00pm British Eurosport 2 November 23: TBC, Argentina
LIVE: 5.00pm-7.00pm British Eurosport 2
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