A MEDIA company has renewed a contract to screen a showpiece motor racing event.

X-Cel Broadcast says it will kit out the Malaysia Formula One track for Sepang 12-Hours.

The Middlesbrough firm will fit track side and pit lane cameras, and build a commentary box and control rooms for TV coverage of the race, which will take place in December.

Bosses added they are also negotiating deals with TV networks across Asia.

Dave Roberts, X-Cel’s managing director, said: “It is fantastic to think we have been chosen again and that we’ll be flying the Teesside flag in the glitz and glamour of professional motor racing.”

Mr Roberts also revealed the business is hoping for a smoother race than last year.

He added: “It is monsoon season in Malaysia in December and last year a camera just 20 yards from me was struck by lightning while we were on air.

“It took out half of our track cameras so we had to work through the storm just to get a few of them working again.

“It’s probably the most hairy experience I’ve ever worked in.”

Mr Roberts added it will take X-Cel four days to build its TV infrastructure around the track, where cars will embark on the near 3,500-mile race.

Mike Scott, head of television for SRO Motorsports Group, which oversees the Sepang event, added: “X-Cel carried out a great job in very testing circumstances last year and its ability to negotiate TV coverage to places like Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong was great for us.

“We are delighted to be working together again in Malaysia and producing some great motor racing coverage.”