The distance between Robbinsville and Hollywood is 2,250 miles but for a couple of days this week, local passersby of Blue Waters Mountain Lodge might have argued it was a little closer. Speed TV, in partnership with Suzuki Cycles came to Robbinsville on August 4, 2009 to shoot scenes for the series “Suzuki Summer Cruise”.
Speed, a subsidiary of Fox Entertainment, is the exclusive U.S. cable home for many of the top motor sports series in the world. Its weekly programming schedule on Speed brings car enthusiast television to prime time Monday through Thursday. Available in 78 million homes in North American, Speed is among the fastest growing sports cable networks as well as home to NASCAR TV.
On air personalities Molly Culver and Neale Bayly discovered that Graham County was truly a gem in the Smokies. Molly, an actress and model, is best known for portraying the role of Tasha Dexter on the syndicated television series, “V.I.P.” and Neale, who is no stranger to the television camera, in front of or behind the lens, currently hosts “Trippin’ on Two Wheels” on Speed. Both are accomplished riders and spent their days in Robbinsville being filmed riding the Tail of the Dragon (U.S. 129), Hellbender (N.C. 28) and N.C. 143 through Stecoah Gap.
Mark Mitchell, Executive Director of Speed stated that this was the network’s first project designed solely for its internet channel. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Mark has ridden the back roads of Western North Carolina for years and stated “the roads were ideal for Speed’s productions”. Collectively, cast and crew were impressed with the quality and condition of the roads as well as the beautiful vistas in Graham County.
The production was organized by Bill Kneigge of Blue Strada Tours. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Blue Strada provides bikes, all inclusive lodging and guided tours of western North Carolina to worldwide clientele.
Mike Stewart, proprietor of Blue Waters Mountain Lodge stated “we really enjoyed the cast and crew’s stay and are excited to see this talented group’s results.”
The series is slated to premiere on www.SpeedTV.com in mid-September, 2009.
Please see our website, www.BlueWatersMtnL.com for more details.