Bob Varsha
Encyclopedia
Bob Varsha is one of the on-air personalities for Speed Channel
. Varsha is presently the host of the network's live Formula One
coverage. 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 Collector Car Auction on Speed Channel in Scottsdale, Arizona
, Palm Beach, Florida
, Orange County, California
and Las Vegas, Nevada
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.
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.)
. 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.
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!"
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
. Varsha is presently the host of the network's live Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
coverage. In 2002 and 2003, Varsha was the host of SPEED's Champ Car
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
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
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
, even reporting on-site from the WRC's inaugural event in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Varsha also commentates on the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction on Speed Channel in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
, Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
, Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
and Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
annually.
Varsha also made an appearance in the 1985 motion picture
1985 in film
-Events:* 3 December - Roger Moore steps down from the role of James Bond after twelve years and seven films. He is replaced by Timothy Dalton.* The Academy Award for Best Picture was won by Out Of Africa, while the highest grossing film was Back to the Future.* Bliss wins AFI Award for best Movie...
, 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
Star Mazda Series
The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is an open-wheel racecar driver development series in North America. Competitors use spec Formula Mazda race cars built by Star Race Cars. The original series, using first-generation tube-frame cars started in the early 1990s, with the current,...
for most of 2006, but had to withdraw near season's end due to lack of financial backing.
Varsha's early years
Varsha graduated from Dartmouth CollegeDartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
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
Emory University School of Law
Emory University School of Law is a first-tier US law school that is part of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It is ranked #30 among ABA-approved law schools by the 2012 U.S. News & World Report...
. 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
Peachtree Road Race
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race 10K is a 10 kilometer road race held annually in Atlanta, Georgia on July 4, Independence Day. The Peachtree Road Race was until recently the world's largest 10 kilometer race , a title it has held since the late 1970s...
, 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
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, where he not only became their host of Formula One coverage, but also hosted many other international sports events including gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
, figure skating
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
, track & field and 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
. 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
Chick-fil-A Bowl
The Chick-fil-A Bowl, formerly called the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and before that simply called the Peach Bowl, is an annual college football bowl game played in Atlanta, Georgia since December 1968. The first three Peach Bowls were played at Grant Field on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta....
; 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, syndicated by Westwood OneWestwood One
Westwood One was an American radio network and was based in New York City. At one time, it was managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation, and Viacom and was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group...
. The show originates from Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, but Varsha hosts from Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and from the Speed TV studios in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
Varsha's co-host on the show is Forrest Goodman of Memphis, Tennessee.
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!"