No more Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain after tonight. Speed has gone over to Fox which means the best announcer on television has bit the dust after more than ten years. Dave was a biker first and his show covered a full spectrum of racing. I'm sure he'll show up somewhere else......RIP Wind Tunnel.
I thought he was pretty good when he called motorcycle racing, but NASCAR ruined him. He became just another talking head. Id rather listen to guys like Rusty Wallace.
I will miss Dave's show and views about racing. His passion for motorcycles definitely came through at times. When I would be flipping through the channels, if I caught a few minutes of the show, normally I would stay until the end. Thanks for the enjoyable commentary Dave.
I agree, with his wide range of race coverage and perspective, someone will pick him up. Dave's reputation and knowledge provided great insight into whatever he was talking about. He also treated his guests well.
I was talking to someone who had met Dave a couple of months ago. Dave told him that after the last show was over he was packing up his KLR and heading to Alaska. That might be a next year trip, but it kind of sounded like he was going to enjoy life for a while and get some riding in.
That shows you how down to earth he is. He can probably afford any bike he pleases but chooses to ride a KLR.
Dave already did Alaska, he also has a Goldwing. http://youtu.be/CdxLRAs1qzE I googled his name to see what he'll do next and got nothing. He is 67 now, so I guess he's going to retire.
You had to know that with death of speed, the death every thing other than NASCAR was soon to follow. So long Despain, you will be sorely missed. Here's wishing you "heap good mojo". Ride safe wherever you may go.
WOW What are YOU smoking?:eek1Dave was forced to cover NASCAR.I always enjoyed his hour show,guys like Robin Miller,Hinchcliff Roger Penske,all were great on that show.I missed the old Thurs.Nite thunders etc.This new channel will have more stick and ball,and SOCCER for gods sake!
I can say for certain, that I will NEVER watch that channel again. Thank God for the internet and my motogp subscription!!!!!
For sure, Dave is a moto guy first. He covered what the suits told him to cover. If it were up to him, his show would be 80% moto and 20% everything else. As for NASCAR, I watch a little bit of it, but it is stunning to see all of the empty seats, or empty sections of seats at some of the tracks.
I met Dave in Mexicali while we were all getting our tourist Visa at the border for the NORRA Mexican 1000. I watched his scooter and gear while he walked to the bank to finish the paperwork. Later I spent a couple of hours with him at the bar in Cabo. Dave is a really interesting guy and I have no doubt that he will be back s strong as ever.
I got that feeling as well. I'm one of those geeky assed parents that considered "Wind Tunnel" 'quality family television'. My kids are just about driving age, so they have grown up with an awful lot of Eye Candy. The special "On Assignment" episodes were very good, especially the one on Chris Ekonomaki; an American icon if there ever was one. And Dave being a NASCAR sellout? I don't think so. He'll tell you right to your face right here he isn't: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EiGpsz_K7Yo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>