Photo – Courtesy of bob-beck-motorsportsannouncing.com
Bob Beck entered the auto industry as did many young men, by working in gas stations when in high school.
In college, Bob major was in Speech and Broadcasting, earning his degree and an Occupational certificate in radio and TV broadcasting. He also attended Columbia School of Broadcasting and was regularly heard on the Kaleidoscope network with his auto show G.A.A.S.(Great American Auto Show) and local cable TV in Bakersfield, CA. on the show Gettin Sideways.
His first job out of college was a high school auto shop instructor, bringing his racing and rodding experience into the classroom and giving a new twist to high school auto shop. Later his associations with Super Stock and Stock Car magazines, Sportscar and others gained him exposure within the motorsports industry. His racing activities led him to positions as a motor sports writer for a local newspaper, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association and various magazines and car club publications.
Known as ‘Hot Rod’ Bob, he has been a life long automotive enthusiast, building vehicles and gaining prominence in automotive magazines and books such as, Petersen’s Complete Book of Fords, Complete Book of Vans and Pick-ups, Complete Book of Paint and Body and Complete Book of Engine Swaps. Ray Miller’s Nifty Fifty Fords, Legendary Ford Magazine and others. Bob has also been involved in activities as a driver/builder in Sports car/ Sedan racing (SCCA & FCCA, Champion C/Prod. FCCA) and Drag racing an M/Stock Datsun in AHRA competition
Hot Rod Bob has many class wins at car shows and driving events with his vehicles including the Sweepstakes award at the R.G. Canning Championship Car shows, Import Division. Over the years he completed various restorations and was often quoted in car buff journals for his views and insight into the hobby and sport of Rodding, Racing and Collecting. He has also been sought out for duties judging prestigious car shows in Southern California.
As an announcer, Bob Beck has worked for various association events such as: SCCA, FCCA sports and sedans, NHRA, VRA, NDRA, ANRA, AHRA Drag Racing and local circle track racing (Announcer/Advertising), IKF Kart racing (Sprint kart, Shifter Karts and more), AMSA off-road racing, USAC Sprints & Midgets as well as Stock cars. At tracks like Ascot Park, Pomona, Bakersfield Speedway, Famoso Raceway, LACR, Sears Point, Infinion, Gateway Int’l and more.
For Off road racing, Bob’s been an announcer in Karts, Motocross, Drag Bike, NHRA, Goodguys-VRA, NDRA, ANRA, Sprint cars, midgets and stock cars. Antique Nationals, Yesteryear Drags, Chrysler Power Nationals and various race tracks and sanctioning bodies across the country as well as Drag racing videos and TV/radio broadcasts of many events worldwide. He traveled as the announcer with the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association for 14 years and was the staff announcer for 20 years at Los Angeles County Raceway.
In 2010 Bob was named the official announcer at Toyota Drag Strip at Irwindale.
Bob has even been behind the wheel driving various race cars including NASCAR stockers, SCCA sports cars, IKF Sprint Karts and a Super Comp Dragster with expert instruction from current T/F Funny car driver, Fast Jack Beckman!
‘Hot Rod’ Bob Beck is our next guest on Fan4Racing Fan2Fan NASCAR-NHRA Talk, Monday, August 5th at 9:30pm ET. Call 347-996-5176 during the LIVE broadcast Q&A segment to interact with Bob Beck.
