10 replies to this topic

[oldtransamdriver]

A fond farewll to Dave Despain and Wind Tunnel (and Robin Miller) - always enjoyed this show.

Robert Barg

[D-Type]

Is this a Canadian TV show?

[Tim Murray]

If Wiki is to be believed, it was a US TV programme:

http://en.wikipedia....th_Dave_Despain

[alansart]

I've seen it a few times on my visits to the States. A lot of Nascar stuff but not a bad show. I wish we had something like that over here.

Edited by alansart, 12 August 2013 - 18:39.

[Manfred Cubenoggin]

I caught the programme when I could but not lately. As it happened, I did manage to view last night's broadcast and was indeed shocked to learn that it was the final airing. It will be missed.

[JacnGille]

So long.

[wildman]

As Despain made clear on the show, he's not retiring, just taking some time off to ride his motorcycles and figure out what's next for him. Given that he's worked for ABC, CBS, TBS, TNN, ESPN, Speed and probably some other networks I'm forgetting, chances are he'll land on his feet somewhere. His vast enthusiasm for all forms of racing, self-deprecating humor and pull-no-punches opinions are far too rare among US broadcasters, so I'm eagerly awaiting his next venture.

[Emery0323]

This is just the last step of a long, depressing slide by the old Speed Channel from interesting niche channel for automotive enthusiasts on US cable TV (in the early 2000's) down to its final incarnation as a generic NASCAR / bat & ball sport channel. The acquisition by FOX network several years ago was the beginning of the end, with the move to a heavily "All Nascar all the time"programming format. NBC Sports Network has picked up most F1 and Indycar coverage in the US, Sportscars coverage going foward into 2014 isn't clear yet.

[David M. Kane]

Fox now owns the SPEED Channel and they are going to turn it into a general Sports Channel to battle NBC Sports and ESPN/ABC. Relax the Elites know what's best for the Sheeple.

[Dennis Hockenbury]

As several have noted, it has been a long and painful death for what began as SpeedVision in 1995 here in the US.

At the beginning, SV was a massive addition to US motorsports fans. Yes, in those early days there was somewhat limited programming due to a lack of budget, but always presented with real enthusiasm and commitment.

For those of us here in the States, SV provided televised coverage to enthusiasts for a broad range of motorsports. F1, DTM, Sports Cars, WRC, BTCC, CART, V8 Supercars, and many motorcycle racing series. In addition SV gave us many new motorsports personalities. A few of my favorites included Bob Varsha, David Hobbs, Steve Matchett, Sam Posey, Peter Windsor, Will Buxton, Alain de Cadenet, Dave DeSpain, Robin Miller, and many others both in front of the camera, and many, many talented people behind the camera.

With the acquisition of SV by the Fox/NewsCorp/Sky/Murdoch folks in 2001, the immediate shift was towards a heavy rotation of NASCAR related programming however in those early days Fox retained a fair percentage of the original SV programming as well. For me the painful decline towards oblivion began in 2006 as Fox moved the programming towards a much higher percentage of automotive themed reality programming, and my personal viewership declined sharply at that point.

Considering what little remained today of what was the brilliant SpeedVision, it was perhaps time to bring Speed to a final end.

For me, I can only extend my gratitude and sincere thanks to the many, many people of SV/Speed Channel/Speed TV for a great ride. You were indeed special and I wish each of you best in your futures.

It is appropriate that Sam Posey will have the final word when the curtain closes on Speed later this week.

[wildman]

NBC Sports Network has picked up most F1 and Indycar coverage in the US, Sportscars coverage going foward into 2014 isn't clear yet.

In fact, Fox Sports (né Speedvision) announced this past weekend that they've inked a five-year deal with the newly minted United Sports Car Racing.