All updates will be posted at the end of the this blog

Here we go again...

As you will most likely of seen, ESPN won the rights to broadcast the 2013 season 'live', with the possibility of some races being delayed if clashing with high profile events. Further development this week saw BT Vision acquire ESPN (both main and America channels) broadcasting rights for the UK for all their sports.

It is BT Visions aim to take on Sky Sports as a main sports broadcaster in the UK after securing live Premier League football as well as Premiership Rugby. Further European contracts have since been secured (notably Italy which plays Sunday evening games broadcast currently on ESPN).

So where does this leave Indycar TV coverage in the UK? The picture below is taken from the ESPN story on the BT Vision website...

Take from that what you will, either they will not take up the contract, or they are still working on what they will broadcast from ESPN's list and where it will be put. Either way it does not look too promising...

As more details come to light I will add them to this page, and hope for some kind of promising outcome. But there will be coverage up until at least the end of July.

UPDATES
- 06/03/2013
1) All races up to 31/7/13 are live
2) ESPN working hard to keep Indycar on and seamless transition after 31/7/13
3) No answer on any pre-show / build in programming.
(Thanks to Justin)
-18/03/2013
4) St Pete race is now on many EPG's, Live
5) Further ahead on the ESPN UK website, Barber appears, but only 'as live'.
- 25/03/12
6) There are re-runs and highlights scheduled throughout the week. Check your EPG, listings, also HERE.
7) ESPN are showing the Indy Lights races, not sure as of yet if they are 'as live' or highlights, St Pete - Friday @ 11AM.

So as we are now only five weeks away from the start of the 2013 Indycar season, and it is time now to look at adding more to the website for the fans. 

Here is how you can be part of it and now that we have a TV deal in place in the UK. I am looking for race reviewers, one person to write a review of the race, maybe the whole weekend (if you have access to the qualifying). It can be a straight up race review, maybe concentrating on specific aspects of the race, teams or drivers. Maybe you would like to take a satirical view on the race, a light hearted take on events.

Ideally I am looking for one person to review a race, giving the opportunity for nineteen writers to express their own views and opinions over the whole season. This is not exclusive to UK residents only, but in keeping with the websites theme, you will have priority on picking a race.

If this is something you would like to take part in and discuss your ideas with me, get in touch with the form below.

Thanks and look forward to hearing from you!

Adrian

Entries now closed

Im sure you will of come across the #Indy500orBust hashtag on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc... but just because we are a few thousand miles away from 16th and Georgetown does not mean that you can not be involved! You can find out more about the project and details of the great prize on offer by checking out http://www.indy500orbust.com/. Details of how to enter are on the website, but primarily you will need an Instagram account!

So how do you get involved? Simple, follow the steps on the website, click 'Create Your Own', download the stencil, cut it out and spray or colour to get your sign. The stencil kit is also available below.

You can see the ones uploaded so far on their website, as you can see the UK is a little sparse to say the least! So here is an idea for you, make your sign and take it to a landmark near you, or maybe a location that means something to your area. For example Buckingham Palace in London, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, maybe even the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland, I will have the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth soon enough!

So take your picture and upload to Instagram using the #Indy500orBust and let's get the UK on the map!

*IMPORTANT - Please do not use the stencil to spray directly onto any landmark or building.... it's criminal damage...

Yours truly made a tired appearance on 1070 the fan's motorsport programme, Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee. This was just my part, first up which was a really #coffeekeyboardspew moment when I heard the change! Apologies for the slight janner t

You can listen back to the full Blogger Night show and previous shows via the 1070 the fan website here.

Ever year Trackside holds a blogger night, the opportunity for anyone with an Indycar based blog or website the chance to be part of the show, discussing a topic or promoting their website. I am please to say that I will be part of the line up for this years Blogger Night talking briefly about the website, who we are, what we do and our forthcoming plans.

The line up reads below.

Tiffany Davies – Open Wheels
Zachary Houghton – IndyCarAdvocate.com
Adrian Rickard – indycaruk.weebly.com
George Phillips – Oilpressure.com
Raymond Hando – For The Love of Indy
Doug Patterson – OpenPaddock.net
Eric Hall – AnotherIndyCarblog.wordpress.com
Brian Carroccio – AutoRacing1.com & thechromehorn.net
Mark Wilkinson – NewTrackRecord.com
Christopher Morben – MakeItGoFaster.wordpress.com
David Zehr – Groundeffects.blogspot.com  
Patrick Stephan – Tracksideonline.com
Tony Tellez - Openwheels
Bill Zahren – Pressdog.com

The show is broadcast from 1am until 3am Thursday night / Friday morning.

You can listen live here via the website - Click 'Listen Live'. Or if that is a touch too late, there is a podcast on the website, which is also available via iTunes

Hope you can tune in at some point, and if you are new to Indycar, it is worth checking out each week to keep up with news, views and interviews from the series.

Adrian