Australia will have a television channel dedicated to motorsports from 1 November when Premier Media Group launches SPEED, a renowned cable television network from the United States.

In an announcement made yesterday afternoon, SPEED will offer extensive racing coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week – finally answering queries to why the Australian Superbikes featured SPEED logos on them at the Phillip Island two-plus-four round earlier this month.

SPEED will air on FOXTEL channel 505, with a high definition version being shown as SPEED HD on FOXTEL channel 206.

“PMG is home to Australia’s leading sports broadcaster FOX SPORTS and we’re delighted to be expanding our terrific sports offering to include a channel dedicated to motorsports with the launch of SPEED,” Premier Media Group (PMG) chief executive David Malone said.

“PMG is committed to taking the sports broadcasting experience to exciting new levels for all Australian fans and with FOX SPORTS, plus FUEL TV’s ever-broadening array of action sports, SPEED TV is a wonderful addition – and another Australian first.”

While much of the SPEED coverage focuses on expanded NASCAR coverage in Australia, it’s been revealed that the Australian Superbike Championship will air on SPEED, as will Super X, the Australasian Supercross Championship.

With Super X commencing next month, it’s believed the opening rounds of the series will be televised on FOX SPORTS before the back half of the season will be broadcast on SPEED.

“It’s fantastic to be launching a channel targeted at the multitude of motorsports fans in Australia, and to be heightening their viewing experience with the introduction of the HotPass technology in our Sprint Cup coverage,” SPEED channel manager James Harrison added.

The Superbike World Championship will also be at home on SPEED, with coverage of every race live confirmed to be commencing in early 2011 with the prestigious and challenging circuit at Phillip Island.

FOX SPORTS’ Jessica Yates will host SPEED’s live and exclusive coverage of every race, with expert commentary from former 500cc race winner Kevin Magee, who also won the Australian leg of the Superbike World Championship in 1991 and 1992.

Other live action on SPEED will include the British and International Speedway, the GT1 World Championship, Rolex Sports Cars and much more.

Recognising the appetite of Australian fans for more motorsports, there will also be prime time racing from the V8 Supercars, Dakar Rally, Formula 2 and World Series Sprintcars.

SPEED will be available to Foxtel sports subscribers from 1 November 2010.