Racecar Driver Devin O’Connell To Live-Stream From Cockpit to Facebook Live

TVU Networks’ TVU One mobile IP streaming transmitter serves as the core of the workflow

Auto-racing fans are in for a unique treat this summer. Young short-track racecar driver Devin O’Connell will be streaming to Facebook Live directly from his cockpit during races throughout the season. Beginning with the Granite State Pro Stock Series at Claremont Speedway in New Hampshire next Friday, viewers will get an inside look at the work done inside a car during a race.

“This is a cool way to see what we are doing inside of the car,” says O’Connell. “If you are sitting in the stands, sure, you are seeing the cars go fast, but you aren’t seeing us work. I also hope that it shows [something to] viewers that may not know anything about short-track racing and make them want to come out and see it for themselves at their local racetrack.”

The stream will be made possible by video-over-IP transmission technology provided by TVU Networks. O’Connell’s super late-model stock car will be outfitted with a TVU One mobile IP streaming newsgathering transmitter, which enables high-quality video transmission from anywhere, including inside a car moving at speeds of up to 185 mph.

The cockpit of Devin O’Connell’s vehicle will be outfitted with a TVU One transmitter from TVU Networks, allowing a live stream to be broadcast from O’Connell’s Facebook page.

“We’re truly impressed with Devin’s accomplishments in the sport of racing at such a young age,” says TVU Networks CEO Paul Shen. “Being able to see Devin race from his cockpit in real time is going to be an exciting event to watch. We are happy to support Devin’s efforts to give racing fans the opportunity to see what racing is like from his vantage point — whether they’re tuning into his Facebook Live from the stands at the race or from their living-room couch across the country.”

O’Connell is a unique story in professional sports. Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome as a young child, he has been a role model and a champion for the cause of autism awareness while garnering tremendous success on the track. His numerous titles include U.S. Legend Cars Semi-Pro Road Course World Champion, U.S. Legend Cars Semi Pro Asphalt National Champion, Stafford Motor Speedway U.S. Legend Cars Track Champion, and the Allison Legacy Touring Series Champion.

O’Connell does have experience using Facebook Live, having taken followers on tours around his shop, but never has he — or anyone in short-track racing, for that matter — tried something of this scale.