McNish joins <I>Speedvision</I> team for Le Mans.

The latest addition to the Speedvision '24-Hour crew' is three-time Le Mans participant Allan McNish, who joins a list of racing luminaries in the commentary box.

The 2000 Le Mans pole winner and owner of the fastest lap in last year's event, which he contested with Audi, McNish won the overall Le Mans title in 1998 with Porsche, and now is a test and development driver for Toyota's Formula One programme.

As Speedvision prepares for 25 hours of live, flag-to-flag coverage of the world's pre-eminent endurance race, McNish joins former F1 and sportscar star Derek Daly as just one member of an on-air team that has nearly 70 Le Mans appearances to its credit. A four-time participant at Le Mans, Daly will share airtime with Speedvision's impressive list of commentators which includes five-time winner Derek Bell (26 race appearances) David Hobbs (21), Alain de Cadenet (15) and Danny Sullivan (4).

The channel's live Le Mans coverage begins 16 June 16 at 0930 EDT, and will mark the first time the network has covered the event without interruption. Last year, Speedvision broke away from the race for more than an hour for Formula One qualifying, but this year, there is no scheduling conflict.

Daly knows what makes the 24 Hours of Le Mans special - and what separates it from the rest of the racing world's great events.

"Countries go to Le Mans," he explained. "England goes and is represented. Germany goes and is represented. As a driver, you are representing a nation and you are followed by a nation.

"Le Mans is one of the unusual events fuelled by passion and emotion. If a driver gets the call to go to Le Mans, he knows he will be a part of history just by competing. It is physically the most difficult road-racing event, but despite the difficulty, drivers want to participate. They want to be a part of something special."

In addition to comprehensive coverage of the race, Speedvision will offer a rare opportunity to view the classic race film Le Mans, starring Steve McQueen, immediately following the race. In addition, the film will be packaged with a half-hour special hosted by the late star's son, Chad.

Bob Varsha, Greg Creamer and Rick Benjamin will handle play-by-play duties for Speedvision at Le Mans, while Calvin Fish, Andrew Marriott, Dorsey Schroeder, Dave Burns, Guy Hobbs and Sandy Heng will work the pits.