- Bob Varsha
Bob Varsha (born
April 21 ,1951 inNorthport, New York ) is one of the more prominent on-air personalities forSPEED Channel . Varsha is presently the of the network's liveFormula 1 coverage. Varsha along withDerek Daly provided race day coverage of the1994 San Marino Grand Prix during his time withESPN , and therefore calledAyrton Senna 's last race. In 2002 and 2003, Varsha was the host of SPEED'sChamp Car coverage.Rick DeBruhl took over Varsha's Formula 1 host chair for that period. In 2004, Varsha returned to his Formula 1 hosting duties. In 2004, Varsha was also a part-time host/narrator for SPEED's coverage of theWorld Rally Championship , even reporting on-site from the WRC's inaugural event inMexico . 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. [http://www.speedtv.com/chat/index.php?action=viewarchivedchat&chat_id=60]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 attendingEmory University School of Law. Varsha then went on to practice law inAtlanta , but his life took a different direction when TBS asked him to cover thePeachtree 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 joinedESPN , where he not only became their host of Formula 1 coverage, but even hostedgymnastics events. 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-1970's, 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 , [ [http://www.focusonracingradio.com Focus on Racing Radio ] ] syndicated byWestwood One . The show originates fromMemphis, Tennessee , but Varsha hosts fromAtlanta, Georgia and from theSpeed TV studios inCharlotte, North Carolina Varsha's co-host on the show is
Forrest Goodman of Memphis, Tennessee. [ [http://www.forrestgoodman.com F O R R E S T | G O O D M A N ] ]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
* [http://www.speedtv.com/speed/bio/149/ SpeedTV.com profile]
Persondata
NAME= Varsha, Bob
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Television presenter
DATE OF BIRTH=1951-04-21
PLACE OF BIRTH=Northport, New York
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=
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