One-Hour Weekly Competition Series Gives Behind-The Wheel Look at America's First Country Club for Racing Enthusiasts
Premieres Thursday, June 7th at 8:00pm ET
NEW YORK, March 21, 2007 – Fasten your seatbelts for a wild ride! VOOM's RUSH HD, the high-definition channel dedicated to adventure sports, is pleased to announce the premiere of MotorSport Ranch, a new docu-competition series, which gives viewers an insider's look at an elite country club where motoring enthusiasts can indulge their racing fantasies in head-to-head competition. Each week, the show follows three different members as they outfit their customized cars and head to the track for a series of qualifying rounds. The 13-episode series culminates with the crowning of the "MotorSport Ranch Top Ten Champion." The first episode premieres Thursday, June 7th at 8:00pm ET on RUSH HD (DISH satellite network channel 9476).
MotorSport Ranch is not the typical sedate country club with a pool and golf course. Located south of Fort Worth, Texas, MotorSport Ranch's eccentric and wealthy members meet, entertain, socialize, and race exotic dream cars. Established in 1996, the MotorSport Ranch introduced and pioneered a concept that centers on a 1.7 mile road-racing course where members go to satisfy their "need for speed." Owner Jack Farr started the enterprise on a whim when he decided to trade in his business suit for a race suit. One dream and millions of dollars later, there are over 200 garage spaces, full on-site service and performance facilities, a clubhouse and trackside villas. With over 650 members, you can find every kind of car and driver imaginable. The members include several husband-and-wife teams, who have chosen to live the racing lifestyle.
In each episode of RUSH HD's original series, three different members go head-to-head in a three-lap mad dash to see who has the skills, stamina, and speed to keep their car on the track and be crowned "MotorSport Ranch Pro Player of the Week." The race is handicapped, as determined by the other track par times in the day's qualifying rounds, resulting in a staggered standing start. The three different drivers get ready for one supercharged race in which anything can happen. Viewers will not only have a trackside seat for the intense competition, but will also get an under-the-hood glimpse at all the modifications the drivers have made to their cars. Additionally, the series will delve into the personal lives of the members of the club, and head off the track to visit their homes and meet with their families.
The drivers in the premiere episode include:
Keith Verges, a 44 year-old attorney, who has a large stable of cars in his garage. He races a stock 2005 Lotus Elise
Joe Cole, a 28 year-old application architect, who takes Bikram Yoga classes to help improve his focus when on the race track. He races a 1993 Turbo Mazda Miata
Seth Higgins, a 32 year-old sales engineer, who hones his driving skills by playing racing video games. He races a stock 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera
On the season finale, the top ten drivers from the season will square up for a no-holds-barred race-off in three semifinal heats. The three semifinal winners will then compete in a final race where only one member will win the title of "MotorSport Ranch Top Ten Champion."
MotorSport Ranch was filmed using state of the art high-definition cameras which were positioned on the track, in the cars and in a remote control helicopter. MotorSport Ranch is an original production of VOOM HD Networks/RUSH HD, and was produced for RUSH HD by HD Republic Productions
About RUSH HD
RUSH HD is the nation's first ever high-definition network dedicated to capturing life on the edge with the adrenaline junkies of adventure sports. Programming consists of documentaries featuring the adventure of one-of-kind expeditions into uncharted territories, competition events with top athletes and highly visual shows that showcase action sports done freestyle in natural terrain. The compelling series and documentaries are shot from the athlete's point of view and intelligently tell the broader story of the action while exploring what drives the athletes to attempt the death defying feats that they do. Explosive, action-packed high-definition footage is shot by camera crews who follow closely behind the athletes-jumping out helicopters, climbing up cliffs and skiing down mountains. RUSH HD continues to redefine the action genre both technically and creatively, giving viewers the ultimate home entertainment and edge-of-the-seat experience. RUSH HD is one of 15 high-definition channels offered by VOOM HD Networks, available nationwide on DISH Network (channel 9476).
About VOOM HD Networks
VOOM HD Networks is the largest suite of high-definition channels available anywhere, produced exclusively in high definition for distribution around the globe through satellite and cable operators. The VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. Today, 15 VOOM HD Networks are available in the U.S. on Echostar's DISH Network and select programming is available internationally in more than 20 different countries. VOOM HD Networks was developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high-definition programming, building on Rainbow Media's history of original programming innovation.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform programming for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, fuse, IFC, WE tv, Rainbow Sports Networks managed FSN Bay Area and FSN New England, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. The company also manages Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.
About HD Republic Productions
Specializing in the production of high-definition television, HD Republic's crisp programming vision is expressed in a life-like medium. But HD Republic represents more than technical prowess-its professionals deliver innovative thinking and creative content to productions. Specializing in producing reality, docu-reality, and documentary production, HD Republic Productions understands that story and character drive programming and strive to produce exciting, enticing and dramatic programming that is also visually stunning.