2011 ALMS on-air talent revealed
Earlier this year, the Series announced a trailblazing, multi-year broadcast and digital agreement with ESPN on ABC. The innovative media package involves televising the world's premier sports car series over several ESPN programming and media platforms including ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com.
Till will anchor play-by-play coverage for seven of the nine ALMS events to be aired by either ABC or ESPN2 while DeBruhl will provide play-by-play expertise at Lime Rock Park and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Till and DeBruhl boast more than 40 years of motorsports broadcasting experience between them. An accomplished open-wheel driver, Till's broadcast career began in 1991 with ESPN; he has since covered a variety of motorsports for the network as well as CBS, TNN and SPEED. DeBruhl has been covering all forms of motorsport, including Superbikes, Formula One and NASCAR, since 1978. He also will serve as the third pit reporter for the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida as well as the 14th annual Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda.
O'Connell, a three-time ALMS champion with Corvette Racing who has started more races than any driver in Series history (111), will be making his debut as an ALMS network and cable booth analyst at Sebring and will bring his energy and competition experience to his new role. O'Connell has won more races (8) at Sebring than any driver in the long history of the track. Joining him in the three-person booth is veteran racer and broadcaster Bill Adam, a two-time Sebring winner, who has covered the American Le Mans Series previously for ABC and NBC Sports and SPEED.
With Howe and Stavast patrolling the pits for ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com, the Series is introducing a new all-female pit team anchored with plenty of motorsports and broadcast experience. Howe has been a regular on ALMS pit road since 2007 and has covered the Series for American Le Mans Radio as well. Stavast is no stranger to pit lane either, having previously covered the series for NBC, ABC and SPEED and brings a variety of broadcast experience to the Series.
In 2011, the Series will expand into the growing world of broadband television with every qualifying session and race being fully produced and streamed on ESPN3.com including 15-minute pre- and post-race shows. The pioneering digital programs will feature fan favorites Hindhaugh and Shaw, well-known for their coverage of the Series on ALMS Radio. Hindhaugh will provide his own special brand of play-by-play expertise to ESPN3.com, and will be joined in the booth by renowned motorsports journalist and broadcaster Shaw. Howe and Stavast will also be featured as pit reporters. The audio portion of Hindhaugh and Shaw's commentary will be streamed on a worldwide basis by americanlemans.com and will be featured on radiolemans.com as well.
ABC Moves Baltimore Telecast to Sept. 4
An additional ALMS programming update involves the Series' inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix which will be held Labor Day weekend on a spectacular street course located along the Inner Harbor. ABC had previously scheduled a two-hour "docu-drama" to air on Sunday, Sept. 11; however, the program is now slated as a traditional race broadcast to be aired on ABC from 4-6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 4.
The new broadcast team and media package will kick off the season with one of sports car racing's most prestigious events. The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr¢n kicks off with the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. The 12-hour race is set for 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 19. The race will be shown live and in its entirety on ESPN3.com and americanlemans.com via its pop-off player starting at 10:15 a.m. ET. ABC will provide coverage from 12:30 to 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 20. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for information on tickets and area accommodations.