TORONTO, Sept. 21 /CNW/ – Got the need for speed? Follow Canadian drivers pushing the limits and their cars for a shot at the glamorous and dangerous world of big-time auto racing when Discovery Channel’s original eight-part series Star Racer shifts into high gear Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning Oct. 24 (for even more racetrack intensity, the series airs in High Definition simultaneously on Discovery HD). Produced by Toronto’s Insight Productions (Canadian Idol, the JUNO Awards) in association with Silverscreen International, Star Racer explores the world of auto racing and those fearless drivers who aspire to become the next circuit champ.
Ride shotgun as this series reveals the fervent desire within every driver – the need to harness the power of a truly fast car – and the compulsion to be the fastest of all. But not just fast, the winner will be the driver with the most technical acumen, split-second instinct and a mastery of the manipulation of speed. At the end, the Grand Champion, the one who has all the right stuff to be declared Canada’s fastest racing star will receive the ultimate prize: a full-season sponsored ride on Formula Star Mazda circuit with the AIM Racing Team.
Few drivers in the motorsports will ever see their full potential – it is a very expensive endeavour and most aspiring racers will exhaust their financial resources well before they run out of passion for the track. In the Karting world, specifically, racers will spend $50,000-70,000 for the season to stay competitive – with some racers spending up to $150,000 – to stay in the game, necessitating both sacrifice and lucrative sponsorships to continue to ride. For these young drivers, a career making shot at the big time – fully sponsored – is a chance to keep their pro racing dreams alive against near-impossible odds.
Strap in for a ride that starts by narrowing down the field – Karters, stock car drivers, motorcycle riders, sports car racers, motocross and speed demons from every driving discipline are cast and qualified at existing events held across Canada. Once qualified, the 16 finalists (eight Karters; eight drivers from other racing sports, dubbed "the Others"; plus two wildcard racers in reserve) rally at the world famous Jim Russell Driving School on the legendary Le Circuit racecourse in Mt. Tremblant, Quebec. Split into two rival teams – Team Mazda and Team Castrol – the competition begins in earnest… on the track and off! Each driver will strive to master the science presented by the track, the cars and the competition.
Hosted by actor and racing enthusiast Yannick Bisson (Hockey Night, Sue Thomas F.B. Eye), Star Racer has discovered the most promising racers in the country, and for one exceptionally talented driver, will make his or her pro racing dreams come true. The contenders will be evaluated by a superstar panel of judges, including Canadian racing legend, Paul Tracy; and racer, teacher and author, Derek Daly.
Star Racer is about the discovery of the one determined racer who blows away the competition; the one who takes the checkered flag and also upholds the complex code of sportsmanship expected of a champion racer. Episodes One and Two of Star Racer chronicle the individual journeys of up-and-coming racers who can’t wait to get behind the wheel and accelerate their racing careers. But just who are these undiscovered racers?
