CCWS 2005 anouncement on 2005 television broadcasts

[luke]

I found this an interesting article on the official site

The Champ Car World Series enters the 2005 Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford season with one of its strongest television packages in the last 10 seasons, and today announced that it has assembled a veteran team of motorsports professionals to describe all of the action on this year’s broadcasts.

Benjamin will be joined in the booth by long-time Champ Car announcer Derek Daly, who was a formidable racer in the Champ Car series in the 1980s before picking up the microphone. Daly has worked as an analyst and pit reporter for many seasons with Champ Car and will move upstairs to provide color commentary for the 2005 season.

“We worked very hard to find a team of announcers with the ability not only to describe all the action of the Champ Car World Series, but also to give the viewers an inside look at what is going on during the race,” said Champ Car President Dick Eidswick. “I believe the fans will really benefit from the knowledge and skill of this crew, as well as the skill of our television production partner Molson Sports & Entertainment.”

Personaly I'm pleased, Rick Benjamin is still commentating the series again this year, and along with ex racer Derek Daly.

[macdaddy]

Calvin Fish and Jon Beekhuis... as the pit reporters for the 2005 season. Ralph Shaheen... will be joining the staff for the four CBS races. Chris McClure... will also be on hand to replace Fish during those instances when he has prior commitments.

Chris McClure should be full-time, IMO. I love the guy.

[Tenoch]

It says that there will be 16 races I thought there is only fourteen on the schedule right now, Am I mistaken or did they just let the cat out of the bag. also I thought since they moved Monterrey back to Sunday there was going to be a problem with the TV I guess they worked that out.

[jjspierx]

I like John Beekhuis and Calvin Fish, they will do a good job in the pits. I personally can't stand Derek Daly, he annoys the crap out of me, and the way he conducts interviews with the drivers sometimes after the races really irks me. Benjamin did a pretty good job last year actuallly. I would really like to get Bob Varsha back, but that won't happen. OWRS should try to hit up Jeremy Shaw for a job doing some sort of commentating. He is extremely knowledgeable and a great guy to talk to.

[SPRacer]

No more Tommy Kendall????

I feel like he explained the sport better than any of the others. Pretty funny guy, too.

[Amar7605]

Yeah Kendall was cool, but he did come off as arrogant. I like Daly better. Personally, I get the feeling that Daly is someone you can easily strike up a conversation with. Kendall seems like you have to really know him to talk to him.

I dunno... that's the vibe that I get

[macdaddy]

From Tenoch:

It says that there will be 16 races I thought there is only fourteen on the schedule right now, Am I mistaken or did they just let the cat out of the bag. also I thought since they moved Monterrey back to Sunday there was going to be a problem with the TV I guess they worked that out.

I've re-read the article, still can't figure out where you came up with the "16". Very astute observation about Monterrey, though.

[Tenoch]

Sorry about that for some reason I thought that it said eight races will be broadcasted on Network TV and Eight On Speed Channel. I guess the human body does need some sleep.

[Snrub]

Man I hate Daly! He provides no usefull insight and is patronizing and annoying. "See those round black things on the car? Those are called tires." And then he'll go on for 5 mins on trivial details without scratching beyond the surface.

[Amar7605]

You know what? What really needs to happen is to not just have announcers who know Champ Car, but people who can convey their love and passion for Champ Car. I feel that if that the announcers show that, then it'll catch on with the TV audience, and will lure new people as well.

[evo]

Originally Posted by Amar7605

Kendall seems like you have to really know him to talk to him.

I dunno... that's the vibe that I get

My own personal experience says your vibe on TK is incorrect. I've walked up to him in the paddock on a couple different ocassions and just BS'ed with him about racing. Very approachable and a really nice guy. I will miss him in the booth.

I still don't understand why they don't bring back Parker Johnstone. He was the best.

Oh well, the line up they have is good... could be a lot worse.

[brightline]

Although I liked Tommy Kendall a lot in the booth, TK and Benjamin had a lot of awkward dead air last season. It seemed like TK just couldn't find his rhythm like he could with the Speed crew the previous season.

[Mantom]

Derek Daly is a nice guy and makes decent observations, but I cannot stand to listen to him for 2 hours each race. That accent is just too much. He sounds just like my doctor (yes, he's Irish - also a nice guy though).

[D.R.T.]

Yeah i'm a big fan of Double D. Look foward to his calls.

[MCWB]

Originally Posted by evo

I still don't understand why they don't bring back Parker Johnstone. He was the best.

Paul Page + Parker Johnstone was an absolute winner! I can't stand Derek Daly for longer than a pit report, Benjamin is fine though.

[StickShift]

I propose a 'turd gear' counter.

[macdaddy]

From Tenoch:

I thought since they moved Monterrey back to Sunday there was going to be a problem with the TV I guess they worked that out.

ChampCar's TV Schedule page lists Monterrey as "unavailable at this time" - the only race that is so.

(The international sched still shows Canada as TBA)...

[luke]

Europe (54 countries)
Eurosport (live races)

Man is that good for Champ Car.

Also interestingly it showed MotorsTV, as showing highlights......

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by luke

Europe (54 countries)
Eurosport (live races)

Man is that good for Champ Car.

While the odds have gotten better since they introduced Eurosport2, I still won't believe it until I see it.