The first and last rounds of US motor sport series Formula Drift are to receive a 3D makeover, writes Adrian Pennington. The move follows the 3D broadcast on DirecTV of a round in last year’s season.
The Formula Drift series consists of a seven-round championship played out at racetracks across the United States. Judged on execution and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time, Formula Drift brings together traditional racing and extreme sports.
The 2011 opener, Streets of Long Beach, was produced in 3D last April, and premiered on DirecTV’s 3D channel n3D in September.
DirecTV says it tested new production techniques for the event, including new camera angles of the course and in-car cameras to give viewers a driver’s perspective of the track.
The satellite broadcaster will also produce the season finale, Title Fight, in 3D later this month at the Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California and will air it exclusively on n3D later this year.
“After a successful 3D programme of last year’s season finale, DirecTV captured the excitement of drifting that takes place on actual city streets at Round 1: Streets of Long Beach this season,” said Jim Liaw, president and co-founder, Formula Drift. “Drifting will be showcased in the perfect medium with the 3D technology bringing the action to the fans’ home.”
n3D, sponsored by Panasonic, is the country’s first 24/7 3D network. DirecTV also offers 3net and ESPN 3D as part of its 3D programming platform.
