Kurt Hansen - Race Central TV and Radio Host
Whether behind the wheel or behind the microphone, Kurt Hansen is accustomed to the fast track. The California native and Denver resident has parlayed a two-decade career as a professional driver and team owner into a successful broadcasting career, earning praise as one of the most knowledgeable and entertaining personalities in motor sports radio and television.
A 1982 graduate of the Jim Russell Racing School, Hansen was a member of the French Formula 3 AVIA team in 1986, and claimed both the West Coast Formula Atlantic and Pacific Coast Racing Championships in 1991. Hansen broke three qualifying lap records in Portland, Ore., Laguna Seca and Sears Point Raceway and competed professionally in the Toyota Atlantic Championship 1991-93. After retiring as a driver, Hansen saw broadcasting as a way to keep his competitive fires burning.
“Having raced on many levels, I missed the driving aspect and saw broadcasting as a way back into the driver’s seat. Racing is my passion and if I could not drive anymore, I wanted to get as close as I could get.”
Hansen launched his broadcasting career in 2001 at KNBR 1050 in San Francisco as host of Race Central before moving the program in 2003 to Denver’s ESPN Radio affiliate KLZ 560, and can now be heard on the Rocky Mountain’s FOX Sports Radio affiliate KKFN 950 ‘The Fan,’ where it is heard every Saturday. Hansen could also be heard nationwide as motor sports correspondent for ESPN Radio’s The V Show, heard on all 450 of the network’s affiliates. Hansen also hosts a television version of Race Central on Rocky Mountain’s Altitude Sports and Entertainment Network – television home of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and NHL’s Colorado Avalanche - reaching over nine million homes blanketing an 11 state area, and is also seen regionally and nationally on Comcast, Dish Network and Direct TV. Hansen also makes regular appearances on ESPN2, Speed TV and the Outdoor Channel’s racing coverage. Race Central’s guest list is a ‘Who’s Who’ in auto racing, including Bill Elliott, Matt Kenseth and Danica Patrick, as well as numerous celebrities from sports and entertainment. Hansen credits his racing background for opening so many doors in his career and earning the respect of those in the racing industry.
“I bring other-side-of-the-fence knowledge to my broadcasts because I’ve done it and have tremendous respect for the sport and the people in it. I try to take that knowledge and combine energy and a little bit of an edge every time I’m on the air.”
With so many options for today’s sports fan on radio, television and the Internet, Hansen strives to bring something unique to every broadcast.
“I never want to say something on the air that makes a listener or viewer say ‘So What?’ I always want to leave them wanting more and thinking, ‘I didn’t know that!’”
The world’s racetracks are not the only places that cater to Hansen’s love of speed - he is also an accomplished skier. Hansen was a nationally-ranked alpine racer in the 1970’s and attended training camps with the U.S. Ski Team in South America. When not racing on four wheels or two skis, Hansen has worked for over 20 years in the collectible car business, buying, selling and restoring high-end and exotic vehicles. A wealth of life experiences has helped Hansen as a broadcaster.
“I can do radio, television, track announcing…I am confident I can do it all because I feel I have done it all.”
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KURT HANSEN - DRIVER |
KURT HANSEN - BROADCASTER |
- French Formula 3 AVIA Team - 1986
- West Coast Formula Atlantic Champion - 1991
- Pacific Coast Road Racing Atlantic Champion - 1991
- Set three National qualifying lap records - Portland, Laguna Seca, Sears
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- Toyota Atlantic Championship driver - 1991-93
- Skip Barber Racing School Instructor - 1996
- Raced in the Score Baja 2000 - 2004
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- Host of Race Central - KNBR 1050, San Francisco
- Host of Race Central - Fox Sports Radio, AM 950 'The Fan" Denver
- Host of Race Central - Altitude Sports and Entertainment
- Correspondent - "The V Show", ESPN Radio
- Segment Reporter, ESPN2, Speed TV, Outdoor Channel
- ESPN Zone 2day television show
- Announcer 2007 Champ Car World Series Grand Prix of Houston
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