New world of motorsports beckons Swindon commentator

Award-winning motorsports commentator Chris Dawes is in the driving seat for a new venture – commentating on esports.

Lockdown due to Coronavirus, and the cancelling of live sports, has led to an explosion in the popularity of esports – or gaming sports – and Chris is now being engaged to commentate on motorsports.

Either solo or with a director, Swindon-based Chris – who runs public speaking and presentation training company Open Dawes Training – provides the commentary for simulated (SIM) car races.

“In some ways the discipline is the same,” said Chris. “I do a lot of research into the participants so I know as much as I can about them, and use my usual style of commentary, which is that of being a really enthusiastic motorsports fan and remembering that it is also entertainment.”

When live racing was cancelled due to the pandemic, Chris assumed his commentating work would dry up too, so he was delighted to be called into action for SIM racing.

“It’s really enjoyable and we have some fantastic participants,” said Chris. “We have professional motorsports drivers and champions taking part, including the likes of BTCC, GT and Sportscars, and even F1 drivers joining in. SIM racing has a massive following and the computer graphics are incredible, so it is very much like watching a live race from the commentary box but able to see absolutely everything for a change.”

Chris began his commentating career at Castle Combe Circuit, and now commentates at circuits throughout the UK and across Europe, and on TV and live internet world feeds. He is known now as ‘the voice of Castle Combe’ and other UK venues he commentates at include the likes of Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Snetterton, Oulton Park, and Cadwell Park.

Last year Downforce Radio, a station dedicated to motorsport, named Chris as its motorsports Commentator of the Year. In 2018, he was runner up Commentator of the Year, in annual awards run by Motorsport Media, which broadcasts Motorsport Radio.

As well as his careers as a professional commentator and running Open Dawes Training, which provides CPD accredited public speaking and presentation training (currently offering its training online), Chris provides media training for sportspeople, is a voiceover artist, and a business and lifestyle events host.

And he is still keeping his hand in with Castle Combe Circuit, by hosting Combe TV, a twice weekly TV chat show on Facebook and YouTube, where he interviews famous and local racing drivers and others involved in the sport or circuit. To watch this show, visit https://www.facebook.com/castlecombecircuit/live.

For information about Chris’s commentating and other pursuits, visit https://chrisdawescomms.co.uk/, or for Open Dawes Training, visit https://www.opendawestraining.co.uk/.