Bob Varsha
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 1 coverage. In 2002 and 2003, Varsha was the host of SPEED's
Champ 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 the
World Rally Championship, even reporting on-site from the WRC's inaugural event in
Mexico. Varsha also commentates 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, is currently a driver in the
Star Mazda Series.
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 a footrace in Atlanta in 1980. He did so well, TBS offered him a part-time job. In 1986, Varsha joined
ESPN, where he not only became their host of Formula 1 coverage, but even hosted
gymnastics events. In 1999, Varsha moved to SPEED, then known as SpeedVision.
In January 2002 Varsha joined [
1]
Focus On Racing Radio, syndicated by
Westwood One. The show originates from
Memphis, Tenn., but Varsha hosts from
Atlanta, Ga., and from the
Speed TV studios in
Charlotte, N.C.Varsha's co-host on the show is [
2]
Forrest Goodman of Memphis, Tenn.
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!"
