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Channel 4 revs up for Mission Ignition
Category: News Release
Take That star Howard Donald and racing supremo Dario Franchitti to front a brand new C4 show.
Channel 4’s brand new 4x60’ series Mission Ignition will give two teams of amateur car enthusiasts the opportunity to drive off in their dream car - however they’ll have to rebuild it first.
This show will see classic car collecting, amateur racing driver Howard Donald and three time Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti each lead a team of passionate petrol heads, guiding them to the finish line and hopefully the win.
In each episode two classic cars will be turned into a giant jigsaw puzzle with Franchitti and Donald and their teams battling it out to put their car back together with the first team to rebuild it and start their engine getting to keep it.
It is well known that Howard Donald left his job as a panel beater and vehicle sprayer to join Take That in 1989, but many people may not know that he is now a racing driver himself, and has raced at the likes of Le Mans and Silverstone in cars such as the Porsche 911 GT2 and an Austin A30. Howard stated, “I've always loved classic cars, so the opportunity to be involved in Mission Ignition and see these historic cars rebuilt is fantastic"
Along with the tension and drama of the build, Mission Ignition will also take a nostalgic journey through the history of the cars celebrating the ingenuity of these fantastic machines.
The series was ordered by Channel 4 Head of Formats Dom Bird and Commissioning Editor for Formats Jonny Rothery, who said “watching the two teams battling it out for the keys to some beautiful classics is truly gripping. Followed closely by the growing rivalry between Howard and Dario, it’s not just a show for wannabe mechanics but for anyone who loves watching passionate people on screen”
This programme is the first terrestrial commission for new indie East Media.
MD Nathan Eastwood said “There is no show on TV that looks like this, we’ve got amazing and passionate talent in Dario and Howard, I can’t wait for everyone to watch & enjoy the series. The show is packed with take out, genuine edge of the seat tension with a dream prize at the end.”
ENDS