SUPERCARS will incorporate a new initiative into its Repco Bathurst 1000 broadcast to maximise the insight provided to viewers.
Various members of the pitlane will join the commentary remotely, via a headset in pitlane, during competitive sessions including the Great Race itself.
It’s akin to what Formula 1 fans have become accustomed to, where the commentators will cross to a selected team principal on the pitwall at each grand prix to discuss how things are playing out.
“We’re kind of tapping into pitlane as a whole,” Supercars head of broadcast David Tunnicliffe explained to V8 Sleuth.
“So throughout all of the sessions and all of the race, there will be different team personnel joining the commentary via headsets in pitlane.
“If you think of, I don’t want to liken it to Formula 1, but how they use Christian Horner or Guenther Steiner in Formula 1 – we’re kind of spreading it across pitlane though.
“It will be drivers, it will be co-drivers, it will be team bosses, depending on the situation of the race and where we see merit in talking to somebody and it not just being a pit interview but more of a conversation with the commentators.
“We think that’s a better way than just bringing in a guest reporter or someone like that, we’re actually going to get more insights and take people behind that wall of pitlane.
“There will still be the team in pitlane chasing news stories and getting content as they would normally do, but this just takes it a step further where it becomes more conversational as a part of commentary rather than a straight interview.”
The new element will be seen on both the Fox Sports and free-to-air Seven Network coverage.
Tunnicliffe also touched on the additional television content available throughout next week.
“We’ll have a lot of special features within the broadcast,” he said.
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“A lot of great content has been produced over the last couple of months for the Bathurst channel and also for inclusion in the four days of the event coverage.
“We’ll delve back into history and obviously celebrate Holden’s final Bathurst, celebrate Brocky’s 50th anniversary (of his first Bathurst win), celebrate the 30th anniversary of Jimmy Richards making himself known to the fans on the podium; remembering some of the great moments.
“That’s one thing we are really keen to do, is not just celebrate today but celebrate yesterday as well.”
Opening practice at Bathurst begins Thursday, October 6 ahead of the race on Sunday, October 9.
