SENNA Screens Tonight at Ridgefield Playhouse

Racing and driving enthusiasts fasten your seatbelts! The third film in the new Lime Rock Drivers Club Film Series, Senna, will be screened in HD at The Ridgefield Playhouse tonight, August 19, at 7 p.m. It explores the life and work of Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, who won the F1 world championship three times before his death at age 34.

There will be fun driving-related pre-screening festivities, and a full bar in the lobby prior to the film along with a special guest speaker after the screening for a Q&A. This event is sponsored by No. 109 Cheese & Wine, Caffeine and Carburetors, a gathering of automotive enthusiasts, and is underwritten by The Lime Rock Drivers Club, made for drivers which offers private track time, fully coached, at a fantastic, world-famous circuit, created by Skip Barber in 2008 to his exacting standards.

The evening includes guest speaker Keith Hudak who will talk about his time working in Formula 1 racing. Hudak worked during a very interesting time in Formula 1: He was the press agent and a photographer for Team Lotus from 1985 to 1987 -- the three years when Ayrton Senna drove for the team. Now living in Kingston, N.Y., in 1991 Keith co-wrote and produced the book "Freezing Speed - Techniques of Grand Prix Photography," with John Blakemore. Keith will surely have some tales to tell regarding the driver many consider F1's finest.

The story of the monumental life and tragic death of this legendary Brazilian motor-racing Champion Ayrton Senna, the film spans the decade from Senna's arrival in Formula One in the mid '80s and follows his struggles both on track against his nemesis, French World Champion Alain Prost, and off, against the politics which infest the sport. Sublime, spiritual and, on occasion, ruthless, Senna conquers and transcends Formula One to become a global superstar. Privately, he is humble, almost shy, and fiercely patriotic, donating millions to his native Brazil and contemplating a life beyond motor racing. Yet he is struck down in his prime on the blackest weekend in the history of the sport, watched live on television by 300 million people. Years later, he is revered in Formula One as the greatest motor racing driver of all time. In Brazil, he's a Saint. The film is rated PG-13 and runs 106 minutes.

A $15 donation at the door supports the non-profit Playhouse. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org, or call the box office at 203-438-5795 for more information. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

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