Fans with long memories will recall the dim dark days before Network Ten began covering V8 racing. Prior to 1997, viewers in AFL-mad states often had to wait until after the Sunday night movie to get their Supercar fix. Some punters forget just how good they have it now, although most give Ten's blanket coverage due credit for driving V8 Supercar's spectacular growth.

That's not to say Ten's V8 telecasts are perfect. The Network receives a stack of mail from passionate fans keen to share their opinion on how the coverage could be improved.

"The top 10 listed here are very common questions from viewers and team members - and valid questions at that," producer Murray Lomax said. "More often than not, we get it right. But when we get it wrong, it does stand out."

Forget the network's catchphrase of 'gimme Ten', as V8X 'gives em Ten'.

1. Why doesn't Ten use more split screens, so we can see more on-track action and less pitlane activity?

"We use split screens extensively, even to the point where we get complaints saying we use them too much! These people say they can't see the detail of what's happening during the pitstops. We do need to make sure we show the detail, as this is where races are often won and lost.

"Often you have a situation where a whole bunch of cars come into the pits at once and the cars left on the track are not likely to affect the race's outcome.

"Having said that, split screens are good, and they can work well. However, one problem is that when the screen is divided into two smaller images, it creates a feeling of remoteness. So the viewer can lose that 'right up close among the action' feeling."

TEN's team in action trackside: they try to cover all the angles.

2. Why are there so many ads?

"The total number of commercials per hour hasn't changed since we started televising the V8s in 1997 - it's still 14 minutes per hour. But what has changed is the racing. We used to have a three-race format at each meeting, where we had a commercial break before and after each 20 minute race - and one during the race.

"Now with the longer races, nearly all of the breaks occur during the racing. This has perhaps created the perception that viewers are missing out on the action. The reality is, they don't miss out on anything. We record everything that happens during the break and show any incidents upon return. We also try to place the commercial breaks when the action is lessening on the track, or during safety car periods.

"Also, the reality is that the commercials help pay for the telecast, and also form part of a sponsorship package for some teams. The bottom line is: no commercials, less money for the teams.

"I see it as a positive that we get more complaints about commercial breaks these days than we used to. That's because viewers love the racing more these days - they hate missing out on it.

"We generally have five breaks per hour, except at Bathurst where we have four longer breaks per hour, to interrupt the racing less."

3. Why doesn't Ten show more of the field during telecasts?

"We'd love to be able to show more of the field, and we've shown a lot more cars in recent times. Back in the three-race format days, we were averaging (showing) 19-20 cars per race. For the (2 x 150 km) format that was used last year, that dropped down to 16-17 cars per race. We gradually got on top of that, and this year we've shown between 28 and 32 cars per race.

"Nevertheless, there is a concentration on the top 10 cars. The level of competition is now much tougher, so it is harder to get away from showing the front runners. I remember the old Channel Seven days, when the race would start, and the cars would soon spread out. So it was easy for the director to just show one car after another, give each a little exposure and then head back to the battle. These days, there can be a number of battle groups, and it's more important that we show those. If we miss any moves, we really get caned by the viewers. I'd rather get complaints from those with vested interests in cars, than get the thousands of complaints from general viewers for missing the important action.

"But we do keep track of who we cover in each race. And I think we do pretty well, particularly in comparison with Formula One. How often do (the host broadcasters) show the bottom five cars?"

4. Why do chunks of the races go missing during commercial breaks?

"My first response is: what have the viewers ever missed? With the move to longer races this year, there are stages in each race where it becomes somewhat processional. Particularly, after the pitstops and before the final sprint to the end.

"We try to show the best of what happens, and we also need to allow for when the safety car comes out and eats up the time allocated for racing within the telecast.

"So, again, it becomes a bit of a juggling act. "We tend to have more racing than we have air time. We've got to fit a lot into (a 'sprint' round telecast of) 150 minutes. Add to that, our opening titles, our host's introduction, pre-race interviews, a lap of the track, post-race interviews, championship points, end titles, etc. So sometimes we have to cut some of it out, but only when not much is happening. We'll take out 3 or 4 laps, just to make sure we can get the race finish in. We record everything and replay any incidents."

From past issues you would have been introduced to TEN's man in the 'thick of it' at the track - Executive Producer Murray Lomax. This is issue he answers your questions.

5. Why do the commentators talk over the pit-to- driver radio chat?

"If someone out there knows when the drivers and crews are going to talk, can they please contact us!

"We just don't know what's going to happen. Our attitude is that the pit/driver talkback is part of capturing the event's atmosphere. So, if we can get details out of the chat, that's all well and good. But most times, it's part of relaying the atmosphere of racing. A good example is when we show a car completing a pitstop, and you hear the car controller say 'wait, wait, wait ... go, go, go'.

"We also have to be very careful what the drivers are saying at times, particularly in the heat of the moment.

"And often the commentators are making a point, and it's very difficult for them to stop mid sentence, when pit/driver chat begins.

"BigPond is doing broadband coverage of our events, and our viewers will be able to pick up continuous talkback from pit-to-driver and vice versa - there's no commentary at all."

6. Why show pre-produced 'colour' items during live races? These just reduce telecast time.

"There was one occasion, Bathurst 2002, when we wanted to carry the 40th anniversary theme through the telecast, and show informative and entertaining historical items. In retrospect, I think we probably overdid that.

"However, the audience relates to the people, not so much the machinery. With the move to longer races, we are showing wall-to-wall racing, and we don't get much opportunity to show the drivers' personalities. So we do create some short colour stories, which appear from time to time. But again, anything that happens during that time is recorded and replayed.

"It's a proven thing - the more we show the drivers out of the cars, the more the audience builds a relationship with them. This strengthens the bond between the audience and the sport."

7. Why aren't more of the races televised live?

"Race times vary from State to State, venue to venue. Formats of races also change. What we prefer is to have a set timeslot, where viewers know when V8 Supercars are on. History shows that the audience just won't chase our coverage all over the place. That was the problem Channel Seven experienced in the mid 1990s. Their coverage was on at different times, because it suited other things they were doing. What we've tried to do, is to lock into a set time - 2.30pm Sunday afternoon, for the majority of V8 meetings. Two-and-a-half hours is a reasonable amount of time to set aside, to sit down and watch a motorsport program.

"Of course, there are the marquee events during the year - Bathurst, Sandown, the Clipsal 500, etc - that are live, and we cover them beyond the regular timeslot. Bathurst coverage, for instance, begins at 7am on race day! Because they are major events they are promoted to the public more heavily, we can establish a different timeslot for those and do them live."

8. Can you telecast qualifying sessions?

"In years gone by, in terms of entertainment, qualifying sessions were strictly for the real hardcore race fan. That's changed to an extent, with the adoption of the shootouts, but we currently don't have any more available air time. One of the obstacles is that the shootout times vary from meeting to meeting, unlike in Formula One, where there is a set time that never varies. So it makes it hard for us to program it.

"I'd like to cover (Friday) qualifying at Bathurst (in the future). This year we decided to cover the Bathurst shootout live.

"Again, BigPond broadband will cover qualifying - so that's a way for fans to catch it. And viewers can always catch highlights on Sports Tonight and RPM."

9. Can you show more of the Konica Series?

"We've shown more Konica Series this year than previous years. It comes up well because it is post-produced, which means we get to scrutinise every bit of footage that is recorded each meeting. But as the Konica Series develops more of a following, there's no reason why we can't look at what else we can give it."

10. Why don't some areas, such as regional WA, receive 'same day' telecasts?

"Network Ten has a contract with AVESCO to produce the V8 Supercar telecasts - and then we are allowed to telecast those on our own network. That's the five main capital city markets. All the other markets are their own businesses, and it's their decision when they screen it."