LeMans: 24 Hours of Le Mans
20 May 2000
Experienced Teams on Both Sides of the Camera Bring Viewers into the Race STAMFORD, Conn. (May 19, 2000) -- Sam Posey remembers every minute of the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans. "As the race started, the cars were jockeying for position, driving into an absolute black cloud," recalled Posey, who was piloting a Ferrari 512. "We drove through the rain all night. During one of the breaks, Steve McQueen, who was at Le Mans filming a movie, took off his rain coat and put it over my shoulders. I never asked and he never said anything. It is just one of the many special memories I have of that race." As Speedvisionâ prepares for flag-to-flag coverage of the world's preeminent automotive endurance race, Posey is just one member of an on-air team that has 54 Le Mans appearances to its credit. A 10-time participant at Le Mans, Posey leads Speedvision's team of David Hobbs, Alain de Cadenet, Derek Daly, Danny Sullivan, Greg Creamer, Andrew Marriott and Dorsey Schroeder. Their coverage begins at 9:30 a.m. (ET) June 17. For Posey, the team's efforts in the booth mirror the work being done on the track, and both experiences benefit Speedvision viewers. "We combine an outsider's analytical view with an insider's intuition," Posey said. "It can really help the broadcast to have a sense of when a car is developing a problem or changing its performance." In addition to the experienced on-air talent, Speedvision's technical crew is up to the task, preparing for 23½ hours of live coverage -- breaking only to broadcast Formula One qualifying. The Speedvision crew will have the live feed from French television, hiring French and British technical crews to handle much of the on-site work. Speedvision personnel will staff the creative production team, as well as the on-air talent. In addition to the French feed, Speedvision will have two independent pit road cameras, a high camera on the front straightaway and access to several isolated-feed, on-board cameras. "The LeMans 24-hour race is one of the world's two most popular racing classics -- Indianapolis being the other," said Speedvision President and CEO Roger Werner. "It's an event we're proud to produce in its entirety for the millions of American, Canadian and Mexican fans who love this historic endurance contest." Producer Jeff Hallas, a four-year veteran of Le Mans coverage for Speedvision, knows what to expect. "The biggest challenge is the fatigue factor," said Hallas, now with Speedvision's sister station, Outdoor Life Network (OLN). "We take an overnight flight and hit the ground running with practice and qualifying. There is really no let-up once you get started." Posey compares the marathon television effort with his experiences in the car. "I find both situations very similar," Posey said. "The television team spends about as much time in the booth as the drivers do in the car, and you have to have a great deal of confidence in the entire team. When I am not in the booth, I can truly relax knowing that things are in very capable hands. I have no desire to hang around and make sure things are being done right. "And the French do the food right," Posey added. "We eat well, but light, so we are not tired after a meal. I've had no problem staying up for 40 hours because with everything that is going on, the excitement just comes in waves." Hallas agrees. "Similar to driving stints, our people work in shifts as well," Hallas said. "They take naps in a motor home and enjoy the French approach to food -- a sit-down meal with real china, real silverware and a glass of wine. The French attitude toward food definitely extends into motor sports." For Posey, Le Mans has the total package, making it one of the world's most important motor sports events. The Speedvision crew, like no other, has the unique ability to bring the Le Mans experience to the viewer, and Posey feels the mix of racing and atmosphere is what makes Le Mans unique. "The teams have the day off before the race and you spend the day eating great food and enjoying the beautiful French landscape," Posey said. "You really get a feeling for how beautiful life can be, and at the same time, you are thinking about the race and the anticipation and fear that go along with running it. It is truly the special event in motor sports."