This is a time capsule of an era in Indy Car racing, captured in stunning IMAX film. The late 90s were a time of diverse racing equipment and intense competition. Big name drivers like Michael Andretti, Paul Tracy, Christian Fittipaldi and Bobby Rahal were racing in the PPG ‘CART World Series’ the top-tier of American open-wheel racing, which some considered superior to Formula 1 at the time.
‘Super Speedway‘ presents itself as a documentary about Indy Cars, but it’s much more about the Andretti family, who’s name is synonymous with racing. In 1996, the Newman/Haas team and their driver Michael Andretti raced the brand-new Lola T96 race car, and the documentary does an excellent job of showing exactly how the car was created. IMAX director Stephen Low was given incredible access to the race shop, and the audience sees the car starting as a clay model, then onto a prototype made on a CNC machine, then finally a completed car racing on track.
What’s truly stunning about ‘Super Speedway‘ is that massive IMAX cameras were fitted to race cars to capture the footage. While surely not travelling at breakneck speeds, the drivers are not certainly not puttering around the track, despite the huge camera attached to their cars. The immersive footage obtained is beyond what a modern day GoPro can ever hope to capture. Cameras are attached to the cars on the most dangerous tracks of all; the super speedway. That’s a 2 mile or longer oval track, where the long straightaways allow the highest speeds in the world of circuit racing to be are reached. The weight of an IMAX camera could easily throw off the balance of the race car, so even filming was skirting with disaster.
The film follows Michael Andretti throughout the 1996 season. He’s shown to be an extremely talented driver, struggling with a temperamental race car. He’s frustrated at poor race results, often due to the Ford-Cosworth engines blowing up. At Michael’s side is his famous father, Mario Andretti, who acts as a calming influence on his son. There are few people who can truly understand the pressure a professional driver is under. Having only retired a year earlier at the age of 53, Mario Andretti does everything he can to help his son, including test-driving the unproven car. Tough task for an old guy.
But there is an ominous feeling in much of the documentary, and the danger of Indy Car racing is never far away. Mario mentions how many friends he’d over the years. Yet there are also scenes with innocent, 10-year-old Marco Andretti sitting on his grandpa’s lap. The child was destined to carry the family racing legacy, no matter the risks.
While ‘Super Speedway‘ is available to watch for free on YouTube right now, it absolutely must be seen on the big screen. It’s been several years since last shown at the IMAX Cinesphere in Toronto. But keep an eye on your local listings, and if Super Speedway is playing at an IMAX near you, get a ticket. It’s a breathtaking and immersive movie experience.
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