Who Will ABC Choose To Replace DeFerran?

GP Racer · 21 Apr 2005, 21:46 (Ref:1284166)

I guess most of you know by now that Gil DeFerran has left the IRL announcing booth and will be heading to BAR in F1. I wish Gil luck in his new venture, because quite honestly, his commentating just wasn't that good. His constant statements like, "I'm to scared to watch", or ohhh, there to close!" just wasn't cutting it IMO.

I'm hoping for an outsider, like Lee Diffey from Speed Channel, who IMO, is easily the most exciting commentator in the business. His Grand Am, ALMS, and Speed Challenge calls are phenomenal.

So who do you think ABC/ESPN will choose?

evo · 21 Apr 2005, 23:48 (Ref:1284232)

Let's hope it's Parker Johnstone.

GP Racer · 21 Apr 2005, 23:52 (Ref:1284233)

OK, I'll bite, who is Parker Johnstone?

Kicking-back · 22 Apr 2005, 06:20 (Ref:1284319)

He's a former Sportscar and IndyCar driver of some repute, who also proved to be a good commentator in the "expert/ex-driver" role.

JohnSSC · 22 Apr 2005, 10:37 (Ref:1284459)

He was pretty nifty behind the wheel (not sure if he is still driving anything these days) but he is also a Mark Donohue type: terrific grip on the engineering side of things with the ability to clearly explain things from the driving and mechanical aspects of things.

bigjon · 22 Apr 2005, 10:44 (Ref:1284469)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP Racer

I guess most of you know by now that Gil DeFerran has left the IRL announcing booth and will be heading to BAR in F1. I wish Gil luck in his new venture, because quite honestly, his commentating just wasn't that good. His constant statements like, "I'm to scared to watch", or ohhh, there to close!" just wasn't cutting it IMO.

I'm hoping for an outsider, like Lee Diffey from Speed Channel, who IMO, is easily the most exciting commentator in the business. His Grand Am, ALMS, and Speed Challenge calls are phenomenal.

So who do you think ABC/ESPN will choose?

well it wont be leigh diffey as he's based in Auz covering V8s for Channel 10; the feed that goes worldwide as well

cybersdorf · 22 Apr 2005, 10:47 (Ref:1284473)

http://www.ktsmotorsportsgarage.com/quiz/quiz16.html

drdisque · 22 Apr 2005, 14:13 (Ref:1284596)

chances are it'll be Robbie Buhl, since Johnstone never raced at indy and buhl already does color for the IPS races and did some of the Indy qualifying for them last year. I also wouldn't be suprised if it was Al Unser Jr.

macdaddy · 22 Apr 2005, 17:41 (Ref:1284710)

Johnstone never raced at Indy? I didn't realize that.

He's one of my all-time favourite drivers, and he was excellent in the booth.

Last I heard, he was commentating boat racing or something. Perhaps it was drag-racing.

racer69 · 22 Apr 2005, 23:53 (Ref:1284826)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP Racer

I'm hoping for an outsider, like Lee Diffey from Speed Channel, who IMO, is easily the most exciting commentator in the business. His Grand Am, ALMS, and Speed Challenge calls are phenomenal.

Quite a few on the Aussie Forum wouldn't agree. We'd be more than happy for him to go back overseas

How is Todd Harris going compared to Paul Page?

Snrub · 23 Apr 2005, 00:01 (Ref:1284827)

It turns out BAR is good for something, saving us from De Faren's commentary.

Do they really need an extra commentator? I hope it's someone who is highly knowledgable and not dorky and doesn't treat viewers like morons. (I'm not saying that basic explanations aren't needed for newer viewers)

GP, you didn't watch CC in the mid-late 90s (when Parker raced) or later when Parker was a commentator? His first podium, a second at Long Beach was the most excited I've seen anyone other than Max Papis get. Although Papis doesn't seem to get as excited in sports cars as he did in CC.

rustyfan · 23 Apr 2005, 10:10 (Ref:1284962)

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdaddy

Johnstone never raced at Indy? I didn't realize that.

He's one of my all-time favourite drivers, and he was excellent in the booth.

Last I heard, he was commentating boat racing or something. Perhaps it was drag-racing.

I didn't know he never raced at Indy either.

From what I can gather (after a quick Google-search) Johnstone has dropped his NHRA gig and recently opened at Honda dealership in Oregon.

On a different note, wasn't it Parker Johnstone who had his helmet pierced by a suspension piece when he wrecked in the 1997 CART race at Michigan?

Xpunk75 · 25 Apr 2005, 21:10 (Ref:1287353)

Who really cares anyway?

macdaddy · 26 Apr 2005, 04:54 (Ref:1287573)

I think that the commentary-team is very important, Xpunk. Especially for a series which is striving to grow their fanbase. Not only must they provide a good product and an exciting show, but the broadcasts must be entertaining and informative or people will start changing channels to watch golf.

GP Racer · 28 Apr 2005, 20:47 (Ref:1289673)

From what I've been seeing, it looks as though they won't be replacing DeFerran in the booth.

That's just as well as far as I'm concerned. Sometime to many guys in the booth step on top of each other in an attempt to make a call. I think Goodyear is a good, solid analyst, and I think that Todd Harris was great addition this year, bringing some real youthful enthusiasm and excitement to the broadcasting booth. Let's hope these two guys gel well!

Macdaddy is exactly right, the commentary team is very important!

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