In the July “Lynch Line” column I noted that there would be a change in the announcer lineup on AM1090 for this weekend’s Seafair broadcast.  I now sadly report that the change had to rescinded but with hopes for that change in the future.

Allow me to explain.

The dual volunteer posts of P.R. Director and “Voice” of ULHRA Racing require a great deal of time in order to keep you informed over the course of the Seattle race weekend, plus handle the announcing on the www.ulhra.org live web casts and on the public address system for Seafair. For the past several years I’ve added duties I really enjoy which briefly return me to my previous career which was 25 years in radio and television; that of Pit Reporter for Steve Montgomery’s radio show on AM1090 KPTK, and on Sunday afternoon I join Chip Hanauer for the call of the ULHRA B-Main and Final heats on KIRO TV Channel 7 (which we will provide a link, here)  

This year with the expansion of the live web casts something had to give and I asked Steve to find a replacement for me on radio.  I recommended an outstanding talent from the Tri Cities WA market and Steve agreed by naming Michael McDonnal of KONA Radio as my replacement.  All seemed fine until Michael was recently stricken with a serious medical problem.  Steve Montgomery called to ask me to help out when I can and I’ve agreed, with my own personal hope that Michael McDonnal will achieve a full recovery and join the broadcast in 2008.  He has been an integral component in KONA’s outstanding coverage for many years and has earned the opportunity to be heard by a larger audience.  Good news! Michael has returned to work at KONA.

This weekend I will fill in as the second pit reporter when time permits while Brad Luce takes the lead in keeping listeners informed of what’s transpiring in what will be a very confined Stan Sayers Pit Area.  The AM1090 show will also be streamed at www.am1090seattle.com and you’ll be able to hear Steve, Bruce, Mark Allen, hydroplane legend Ron Jones Sr (a great storyteller, too!) and me on Saturday and Sunday.