Bob Varsha (born April 21, 1951 in Northport, New York) is one of the more prominent on-air personalities for Speed Channel. Varsha is presently the host of the network's live Formula One coverage. Varsha along with Derek Daly provided race day coverage of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix during his time with ESPN, and therefore called Ayrton Senna's last race. In 2002 and 2003, Varsha was the host of SPEED's Champ Car coverage. Rick DeBruhl took over Varsha's Formula One host chair for that period. In 2004, Varsha returned to his Formula One hosting duties. In 2004, Varsha was also a part-time host/narrator for SPEED's coverage of the World Rally Championship, even reporting on-site from the WRC's inaugural event in Mexico. Varsha also commentates on the Barrett-Jackson auction on Speed in Scottsdale and Palm Beach annually.
Varsha also made an appearance in the 1985 motion picture, Invasion U.S.A., playing an on-camera newscaster. His scene was cut from the final version, however he is briefly visible walking with a cameraman during one scene. His son, Matt, drove in the Star Mazda Series for most of 2006, but had to withdraw near season's end due to lack of financial backing.[1]
Contents |
Varsha's early years
Varsha graduated from Dartmouth College in 1973 with a bachelor of arts degree in foreign language. While attending Dartmouth, Varsha won varsity letters in cross country and track. He even made the finals of the U.S. Olympic Trials marathon event twice, doing so while attending Emory University School of Law. Varsha then went on to practice law in Atlanta, but his life took a different direction when TBS asked him to cover the Peachtree Road Race, which he headed as part of the Atlanta Track Club in 1980. He did so well that TBS offered him a part-time job. In 1986, Varsha joined ESPN, where he not only became their host of Formula One coverage, but also hosted many other international sports events including gymnastics, figure skating , track & field and 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1999, Varsha moved to SPEED, then known as SpeedVision.
Varsha also won the inaugural Peach Bowl Half Marathon in 1980, winning at a time of 1:08:23. (In the mid-1970s, until 1980, the Atlanta Marathon was aligned with the Peach Bowl; in 1981, the race moved to its present Thanksgiving date, and the half-marathon was restored in 1984.)
Focus On Racing Radio
In January 2002 Varsha joined Focus On Racing Radio,[2] syndicated by Westwood One. The show originates from Memphis, Tennessee, but Varsha hosts from Atlanta, Georgia and from the Speed TV studios in Charlotte, North Carolina
Varsha's co-host on the show is Forrest Goodman of Memphis, Tennessee.[3]
The radio program is delivered in a magazine-style format and delivers interviews with top drivers from all forms of motorsports. The show's slogan is "The Fastest Hour In Radio!"
References
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
