Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

Here ya go - notice Richy Rich in the picture and my handsome self! Also some good shots of old F1 Racing in Toronto and W.Palm.

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

I notice you got my best side............... :D

T2x

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

Actually Brian....This is proof that Offshore racing really was on Speed at one time. As opposed to "The 1/4" socket channel" or wherever it's buried today.

In fact the later broadcasting on TNN was a step down from Speed which was a spin off from Speed Vision, which was a Step down from MSG, which was a step down from Prime, which was a step down from "The Deuce" (ESPN2), which was a step down from ESPN, which was a step down from ABC/ESPN.

It was a nice train ride for me, as I made all of those stops, but, unfortunately, it was in the wrong direction......as budgets and contract $ declined with each step down the ladder.

This in a nutshell is the journey that Offshore has taken since 1984......... You could look it up.

T2x

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

We used to have well over 100 boats at races in 1999 and 2000. Don't think we'll ever see that again. Good things and good racing will be around in 2007 though. AMF - OPA - ORL - SBI - it ain't all that bad! Signed...the eternal offshore racing enthusiast! :p

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

1999-2002 were the best years in Offshore Racing in a very long time. The best TV, events, promotions, sponsors, direction were starting to take place. It has gone down hill since.

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

Yeah...........

Gene did a nice job of bringing it back.

T2x

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

Yes he did...but Gene was not running it during 2000-2002 either.

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

Oh the memories of the "good old" days when boat racing on television lived! Loved Rich's rundown (and I do mean "down" ) of the tv road to decline. The sport was on the way to making it but few in the boats realized the potential of growing it through television. Getting it back to that point is probably next to impossible now.
It was a great broadcast team Rich!

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

I don't care if anyone steals my idea. For specialty programs think the net is the way to go. Sites such as OSO could very easily create a net based TV station. Programing content to create could be less money then alot of people would think. Extra membership dues could cover most of the cost of doing so. Build a grass roots base and sell out to the networks when you can show your programing offers good ad revenue!! It will never be NASCAR, but could be built into at least more mainstream.

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

Gene absolutely saved APBA Offshore racing from extinction in 1997. No question. No doubt. God rest his soul.

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

Gene left a big growth curve, a huge fleet, willing sponsors, a feeling of unity, a veteran management team, and a great legacy.

2000-2002 were a product of M-O-M-E-N-T-U-M...nothing more.

If not the sport would have grown bigger and better right through today.


T2x

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

Mike,

Rich is right. Gene and his staff were responsible for everything that went right from 1999-2003 and I was personally responsible for everything that went wrong.

Re: Proof that Rich Luhrs was a broadcaster for Speed!
 

Well I guess I just don't know chit or can see chit. :rolleyes: I must have been dreaming when I saw the increase each year of boat counts, sponsors and especially the awesome Speed Channel shows put on by APBA during that time. But hey, you were the guy then so I'lltake your word for it. I understand momentum and never discounted Mr Whipps legacy so please understand that. Rich I must apollogize to you for anything I said that was out of line on this subject. :cool: :D