It's pretty obvious that because NASCAR makes a zillion dollars they can get their races shown in High Definition broadcasts on Fox or NBC or whoever. And while the ICS is lagging behind in terms of national interest, when things like Competitive Eating show up on ESPN in HD it's hard to understand why the network can't get some cameras out to the IndyCar races to make those fast and shiny cars look that much better.
If nothing else, they should be able to do this at Indy, right? That's what Trackside Online thinks, and in covering this weekend's refresher course at The Brickyard for rookies (and might-as-well-be rookies) they started asking around. The conclusion was:
We were unable to get any confirmation on this year's Indy 500 being in HD, but we also weren't able to disprove the initial information we got. So, for now, file it as a rumor we feel pretty good about.Come on, ABC/ESPN. You got three women in the race, you got drivers with names like "Andretti" and "Foyt" and "Unser", and you will no doubt be marketing the whole extravaganza as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing". Please don't leave it as The Lowest Resolution in Racing.
Or are you waiting for Kobayashi to get a ride?
UPDATE: Woo-hoo! On Tuesday the IndyStar revealed that HD at Indy is green-green-green!
The change required a significant financial investment, perhaps as much as twice that of the standard equipment. Fifty-three cameras will be utilized.
Don't blame ESPN/ABC for not broadcasting the race in HD, its actually the Speedway's fault. "IMS Productions" produces the world feed which ABC and other international networks pay to show the world. IMS provides all the equipment for filming and producing the race. As far as I know, they still haven't sprung for HD cameras.
What's sad, is that the Busch race at IRP this year will be broadcast in HD, but the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" won't be. Pathetic
Check out this article from 2003 for more: http://www.tvtechnology.com/features/news/n_ABC_in_the_Driver_s.shtml
I'm starting to think IMS is actually it's own little country, kind of like the Vatican is a sovereign state. Give the George family credit for locking up every imaginable revenue stream from that place. Plus I hear citizens of IMS can't be drafted into the American armed services.
You can come to the race and watch it in 3D...
I hear Money CJ's Falcon 4 executive/party jet is scheduling pickups as we speak...
Also, Speedway IND is a sovereign state...you should see TG come out to the Bombardier Pagoda balcony on Easter and bless the faithful - splendid!
Money better have a jet by now - he's just about picked every winner so far this year.
p-dawg, you sign up as a citizen of IMS when you sign the paperwork. It's buried in there and most people catch it.
And to tie it all together, they should have invited Kobayashi to the pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. Could have been interesting.
I guess the acid test will come in July when ESPN broadcasts the Redneck 400. ESPN moved the date up a week so that it could lead off its return to NASCAR from the World's Greatest Racecourse. If they can possibly broadcast it in HD you can bet they will.
I stand corrected.
[url="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070508/SPORTS0101/70508039"][/url]
a read today the the 500 will be in Sony HD