Breaking news
Formula 1
Legendary race broadcaster Varsha struck by coronavirus
Bob Varsha, one of the most highly respected broadcast hosts and play-by-play commentators in U.S. motorsport, has tested positive for COVID-19.
David Malsher-Lopez
Published: Apr 5, 2020, 6:30 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Varsha, 68, has worked for ESPN, CBS, ABC, FOXSports and the now defunct SPEED Channel, specializing in coverage of Formula 1 and Indy car racing since 1986, while also being lynchpin of the U.S. feeds for Le Mans 24 Hours and Formula E.
However, since January of this year, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he has been undergoing chemotherapy, which tends to wreck an individual’s immune system. Naturally, this has rendered the unfortunate individuals particularly susceptible to the coronavirus pandemic.
On a GoFundMe page set up on his behalf by journalist Marshall Pruett back in early January, Varsha delivered the news of his coronavirus this morning.
“Well, that ended poorly,” he wrote. “After completing my final, and toughest, round of chemo weeks ago, the side effects never seemed to go away. Then one day my temperature spiked, so my oncologist leapt into action and got me a Coronavirus test.
“On Friday the result was ‘positive’. So here we are, enjoying another 14-day quarantine. I can’t say enough good things about my docs, Dr. Vasily Assikis here in Atlanta and Dr. Daniel George at Duke, and their staffs. They have been totally supportive. As soon as I can get the all-clear, we’ll do blood and MRI work, see where we are.
“Thanks to all! I still hope to speak to you from a track later this year.”
Varsha is much-loved for his impassive broadcasting style, humor, and ability to wrangle even the most agitated of fellow commentators into delivering the information required by viewers.
His GoFundMe page can be found here.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Motorsport Heroes: Massa on his big F1 break with Ferrari
Next article Dennis donates £1 million to feed UK health workers
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
David Malsher-Lopez
Alex Zanardi: The man whose name is a synonym for “hero”
IndyCar
IndyCar
Alex Zanardi: The man whose name is a synonym for “hero”
Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 ace, Le Mans winner and a good man
Formula 1
Formula 1
Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 ace, Le Mans winner and a good man
IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory
IMSA
IMSA
Laguna Seca
IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory
Latest news
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
1 h
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
7 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe