Yarmouth promoter Simon Franklin is hoping to secure a slot on SKY Racing after spending £20K on new HD cameras for his stadium.
He said: “Although the main camera was fine, the three cameras that were underneath the stand were not HD compatible which meant we have had to re-equip. The camera behind the traps will now be sideways on. There is one for the parade and then one situated just into the second bend which will be looking back towards the dogs.”
The cameras will be in situ by Monday though it will only be betting shop punters that will benefit until crowds return.
The track are also hopeful that the forthcoming George Ings St.Leger might be the tempter to earn them their first call-up to the SKY Racing Channel. To date they haven’t featured.
With over £14K total prize money including a first prize of £7,500, the 659m Cat One event gets underway on Monday May 17, with the semis a week later. The final, scheduled for Saturday May 29th, will feature a full supporting card of opens.
Simon said: “We haven’t been able to supply the pictures for SKY Racing because we haven’t had the correct equipment. But we decided to invest in the cameras in the hope that it may lead to us being considered.”
The exposure of SKY greatly increases the chance of race sponsorship with Franklin still seeking a backer for the historic 75th East Anglian Derby.
The event gets underway on Wednesday September 1 and concludes exactly a fortnight later. At present the winner’s prize is penciled-in at £10,000.
Simon said: “The event will definitely go ahead with that prize money, even without a sponsor. If we can find someone to support it, the prize money will then increase.”
