New cable channel appeals to speed lovers

Racing fans and automobile enthusiasts now have a place they can call home on cable television. Speedvision, which offers shows about cars, airplanes and motorcycles exclusively is well into its ninth month of programming.

Speedvision, the brainchild of former ESPN President Roger L. Werner Jr., debuted New Year's Day on Cox Communications, Continental Cablevision and Comcast Corp. cable systems.

"What we're trying to do is create the television equivalent of the 250 magazines covering cars, aviation and motorcycles," Mr. Werner explains enthusiastically. Included in the programming is a show called Autoweek on Speedvision, hosted by Leon Mandel, that covers industry news. "It's the biggest industry in America, and a lot of people are interested in it," says Mr. Werner.

"Beyond auto racing, you don't have much industry news on other networks," says Mr. Werner, who adds that Speedvision targets viewers who work in the auto industry as well as the lucrative 18- to 49-year-old male market.

Other programs of interest to automakers and suppliers include Wild About Wheels, American Hot Rodder, Cars and Parts, Inside Winston Cup Racing, On Track Magazine, History of Speed, Champions, Stock Car Racing Legends and Victory By Design.