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 on Discovery & 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.
According to ASN Canada FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), there are approximately 4,000 Kart drivers racing in Canada each season; 3,000 racers divided between Road Circuit Racing, Rallysport, and Solosport; and several thousand participating at the local club level in other motorsport disciplines, including stock car racing, drag racing, motorcycles, etc. 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?
Team Mazda:
Racer A, 21, from Grand-Mere, Que.:
“In February I was involved in a big crash. I broke my arm. It is not my type to quit and let my team down, so I raced with one arm to the end. I only went to the hospital after the race…”
Racer B, 21, from Fonthill, Ont.:
“The problem is, Karting championships and awards don’t get drivers very far unless you carry a heavy wallet.”
“My greatest strengths are my senses: my eyesight, hearing, and sense of touch have been tuned through years of action sports to sense engine vibration, vehicle dynamics, the best line on the track and other sensory cues.”
Racer D, 22, Beaconsfield, Que.:
“I welcome any help I can get in succeeding in the sport I love. Despite my need for financing, I could not get involved with people who did not meet my standards of integrity and honesty.”
Racer E, 27, from Toronto, Ont.:
“Winning is always my first and foremost goal. I believe in good sportsmanship and fair play; I believe in winning through hard work and determination.”
Racer F, 26, from Toronto, Ont.:
“I have a passion for knowledge and work really hard to always better myself – being a pro racer isn’t just about talent, it’s a lot of hard work and practice.
Racer G, 29, from Sherwood Park, Alta.:
“Winning is everything to me. It is the ultimate completion of a goal; without winning, is the goal or challenge met?”
Racer H, 27, from Edmonton, Alta.:
“I’ve always been into cars as a kid. My favourite toys were matchbox cars, and I loved watching racing with my dad. I have spent countless hours playing racing computer games.”
Team Castrol:
Racer I, 19, from Burnaby, B.C.:
“Winning is important but finishing the race in the top three is more important because you don’t have to win every race to be a champion!”
Racer J, 23, from Stouffville, Ont.:
“There is no doubt in my mind that I could be a pro racecar driver, but I have learned that talent can only take you so far and money is the determining factor.”
Racer K, 16, from Stouffville, Ont.:
“My nickname since I was seven was ‘Rocketman’ after my first race win. Winning is fun, but the thrill of competing wheel to wheel is a life-changing experience.”
Racer L, 22, from Langley, B.C.:
“A Karter accused me of bumping him off the track on purpose. I told him I never did that on purpose and it wasn’t my fault – I’m a very clean driver and told him I was sorry.”
Racer M, 19, from Winnipeg, Man.:
“I was put into a foster home when I was seven years old and my foster parents loved racing. They got me into Karting in 1997 and since then I’ve wanted to be a pro racecar driver.”
Racer N, 19, from Ottawa, Ont.:
“A pro racer must be a good role model and be able to represent their team, sponsors and the sport itself in a responsible manner – I think I possess these skills.”
Racer O, 24, from Vancouver, B.C.:
“Racing is a life long love and dream of mine. I got an after-school job at a local go-Kart track just so I could take my race Kart on the track after hours to practice.”
Racer P, 26, from Brampton, Ont.:
“Winning is everything – 2nd place is the first loser.”
Reserve Racers:
Racer Q, 20, from St-Bruno, Que.:
“Ever since I started racing, I have not lost a championship of any kind. Racing is my hobby and my dream and my life.”
Racer R, 22, from Leamington, Ont.:
“Criticism was coming from everyone; all the guys that I raced against thought I shouldn’t be there. I was good enough to be there – the only reason they didn’t like it was because I am female.”
Once the 16 racers, plus alternates, are found, Star Racer accelerates with an adrenaline-packed rush to the finish line that will see one exceptional driver win the chance of the lifetime. Episode highlights from Star Racer include:
Star Racer: Episode 1
Tues., Oct. 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD
Star Racer opens in the fast lane, from the world of big time racing at the Montreal Grand Prix. Host Yannick Bisson – a lifelong race fan – sets the stakes: for the next eight weeks, Star Racer will chronicle the discovery and the episode-by-episode elimination of the country’s most promising young racers. In the opening episodes, Star Racer combs the country, attending racing events on a quest to find the best racers. At the starting line, eight racers from the Karting world and eight drivers from other racing disciplines will be gunning for the career-making title – but first, we have to find them.
In Episode One, meet 16 of the contending Karters, eight from the King Of The Bay Race in Barrie, Ont., and eight from the Quebec Cup in St. Roch, each selected by the attending officials to pre-qualify for the event. Then, meet the first three finalists from the other racing disciplines. As the episode closes, the lines between the two groups, the Karters and the Others, are drawn.
Star Racer: Episode 2
Tues., Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD
The search for Star Racer hopefuls heads west as casting of the eight Karters continues at the National Karting Championships in Edmonton and four more of the pre-qualified Others are introduced. In pursuit of the same – and solitary – prize, the tension between the Karters and the Others is palpable, as the Karters still struggle to qualify for the Star Racer Finals to be held at Mt. Tremblant, Que. The episode concludes with shock, heartbreak and a stunning surprise when all 24 Kart racer pre-qualifiers gather in the garage to hear the judges’ decisions and learn which racers make the cut and will be heading to Mt. Tremblant, and which racers are going home. In a last-minute twist, two additional Karters are put on the reserve list… the race is on!
Star Racer: Episode 3
Tues., Nov. 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD
Episode Three revives the dream of one lucky driver who just missed the cut at the conclusion of Episode Two – a space has opened up for them in Mt. Tremblant. Convening at the mountain resort, the 16 racers are divided into two rival camps – Team Mazda and Team Castrol – each team moving into luxury chalet digs. Each team, in their new team uniforms, assembles on world-renowned track at Le Circuit to meet their instructors, familiarize themselves with the facilities, hear the ground rules at the Jim Russell driving school and sit in the open-wheel racecar for the first time. Then, the star judges make their first appearance and address the hopefuls before they face a battery of fitness tests.
Star Racer: Episode 4
Tues., Nov. 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD
It’s back to class for the Star Racer competitors. After a safety review, the class moves out onto the track where the key lessons are underscored and then into the F-2000 Van Diemen Racecars for controlled lapping. It becomes evident very quickly who are smoothly making the transition to open-wheelers and which racers are struggling. In the background, the reserve racers also go through the process – nipping at the heels of the qualifiers. The racers take the school test and results are posted – driving the spirit of competition to a new high. The on-track performance of the drivers is evaluated and leads to the first elimination round of the Finals. Two drivers are going home – will they be team members who will be replaced by the reserve drivers, or will the reserve racers see their dreams on the track dashed?
Star Racer: Episode 5
Tues., Nov. 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD
Today, the racers will face time trials that will send two drivers from each team home. Rivalries between the Karters and the Others – and between Team Mazda and Team Castrol – take hold. At the track, the instructors go through the time-trial instructions and the racers strap into their cars. The track record is set as a marker on the big screen and one by one the racers tear up the track at Le Circuit while the rest look on. Who makes disastrous mistakes under pressure? Who rises to the challenge to turn in perfect laps? The judges evaluate each driver and deliver their verdict, sending four drivers home. Now down to 12, the chalets merge as both teams move into a single house.
Star Racer: Episode 6
Tues., Nov. 28 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD
The day of reckoning arrives for Team Castrol. It’s race day at last and the six remaining Team Castrol members head to the track. Only four will return to the chalet for dinner as two more drivers leave their racing dreams on the track. The Team Mazda members will face an off-track surprise challenge of their own before moving to the main track to watch the Team Castrol race. With the competition watching, the Team Castrol drivers take warm-up laps and then go through a qualifying session. The pole position is awarded to the fastest qualifier and the starting grid is set. The race passes in a blur and at the end, the checkered flag flies as the race winner takes a victory lap. Then, one by one, the racers are called before the judges to hear their evaluation and learn their fate. Potential, character, teach-ability, performance and teamwork are evaluated – how will each racer measure up against the challenges and responsibilities on the pro circuit should he or she win the coveted prize? Four drivers will hit the track another day; two are sent home.
Star Racer: Episode 7
Tues., Dec. 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD
Today, Team Mazda revs up for their semi-final challenges on the track, while the four remaining Team Castrol members face an off-track surprise challenge. The Team Mazda drivers go through last-minute details with the instructors and the pit crew, strap in and hit the track for warm-up laps. The green flag falls and it’s go time. The victory lap goes to the race winner then, each racer is called before the judges to hear their evaluation and learn their fate. Potential, character, safety, coach-ability, performance and teamwork are measured. For four drivers, the goal is within their grasp; two drivers are heading home. The last eight savour this moment – only one race stands between each finalist and his or her Star Racer dream. Tomorrow one of them will pull ahead of the rest to win the ultimate prize.
Star Racer: Episode 8
Tues., Dec. 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD
It’s all on the line today as the eight final racers arrive at the track. The judges pass through and offer invaluable advice, and the instructors lay down the ground rules, including a mandatory “pit stop” during the race. The drivers rev their engines, hit the track to warm up, and proceed through the qualifying laps. They take their place on the grid and when the green flag falls, it’s anyone’s race. Then, final victory as one driver wins the race of races and earns the title Star Racer.
Experience the world of Star Racer online. Visit StarRacer.ca (also integrated into DiscoveryChannel.ca), for weekly updates, special sections for Team Mazda, Team Castrol and the Judges, plus a chance to virtually race the track with the official Star Racer flash racing game! The “Edge Ahead Star Racer Pool,” sponsored by Edge shaving gel, offers a viewer the chance to score points along with the show by predicting who will be this year’s Star Racer. Weekly and Grand prizes will be awarded to the pool point leaders.
Star Racer will also rev up the new Discovery Broadband Channel available at broadband.discoverychannel.ca. Discovery Broadband will feature full episodes of Star Racer one week after they premiere on Discovery’s broadcast channel and carry exclusive bonus footage only available on broadband.