Ben Edwards
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Ben Edwards is a British motor racing commentator. At the moment, he is the voice of A1 Grand Prix and the British Touring Car Championship in addition to Formula One DVD Reviews for Duke Video.
He first became known to British viewers through his Formula 1 commentary on Eurosport. He was usually partnered with former Formula One race winner John Watson.
When Eurosport lost the rights to Formula 1 at the end of 1996, Edwards became the voice of Champ Car racing for viewers of Eurosport and ESPN International. His work alongside Jeremy Shaw was regarded as a big success. Perhaps his most famous moment was his commentary of the final lap of the 2000 Michigan 500 which was so dramatic that French Eurosport used his commentary in their highlights of that race.
Although Edwards was very popular with the viewers, he gradually became tired of commuting from Britain to the United States for every race. He considered moving permanently to the United States. He eventually decided to remain in England, and reduce his involvement in America.[citation needed]
In 2001, Edwards was replaced by Guy Hobbs as the main Champ Car commentator, but he did commentate for the races in Japan, Detroit, Mid-Ohio, Germany, Houston and Australia when Hobbs or Shaw had other commitments.
In 2002, Edwards joined ITV to commentate on the British Touring Car Championship - something he still does today. He also took on the role of lead commentator for F1 Digital + and was reunited with his old colleague, John Watson. F1 Digital + finished at the end of the 2002 season, but since 2005 Watson and Edwards have been working together on Sky Sports and international feed for A1 Grand Prix[1].
Edwards has also commentated on general motorsport events for Eurosport, and British TV including coverage of the British Formula Three Championship (alongside Martin Haven).
Edwards started out in motor sport as a racing driver and won the first Formula First championship, a now defunct championship for new drivers and went to become champion in Caterham Vauxhall sports cars.[citation needed] He also took part in the Euro Vauxhall Lotus championship where he raced against the likes of David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen.[citation needed]
He was brought up in Surrey, but currently resides in Norfolk.
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