NASCAR to Develop IMAX Experience

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), NASCAR Digital Entertainment (NDE) and IMAX Corporation have announced an agreement to produce a film for release in 2003.
The IMAX film format is larger than standard films and has been used to provide a number of film experiences for audiences in wrap-around and large flat screen theatres.
Production will begin in 2002, with an anticipated release to the worldwide IMAX theatre network in 2003. Set against the competition of NASCAR and authentic NASCAR events, the IMAX film will focus on NASCAR racing.
NASCAR, boasting that the film will feature "the most competitive and skilled drivers and race teams in the world," says that the film will also capture the behind the scenes aspects of the sport.
“As we look to continue the growth of NASCAR to a world-wide audience, a NASCAR-IMAX film is perfect in bringing together two of the biggest brands in sports and entertainment,” said Paul Brooks, vice president of broadcasting for NASCAR. “The sights, sounds, speed and passion that fuel NASCAR make us a natural fit for an IMAX experience and, most importantly, the audience will see up close the real life stars of our sport who compete week in and week out in NASCAR racing across America.”
The IMAX Experience consists of images of unsurpassed size, clarity and impact, enhanced by a superb specially-designed six-channel, multi-speaker sound system, that are projected onto giant rectangular screens, up to eight stories high. The IMAX Experience will allow the audience to see, hear and feel what it is like to be in the middle of a NASCAR race.
“We are so pleased to have entered into this important partnership with NASCAR,” said Greg Foster, IMAX’s president, Filmed Entertainment. “This remarkable sport is a perfect fit for what IMAX does best–putting the audience in the middle of the action. NASCAR has captured the imagination of fans globally because of its energy, excitement, culture, sights and sounds and this IMAX film will translate the experience onto the giant screen.”