It is the 85th time Darren Smith and Garry O’Brien have had the opportunity to hear someone tell their story. Les started in sprint karts, went onto Superkarts and has raced a plethora of cars since.
Daz and Gaz also catch up on the latest happenings on the state and club motorsport scene, covering off the recent results and upcoming events.
https://player.captivate.fm/episode/cad43b3b-31b1-4d05-a1dc-e2e7676018ea/
Les Walmsley began his racing career like many in karting and initially battle the likes of future champions Russell Ingal. He became well known for his endeavours in Group N Historic Touring Cars and Touring Car Masters, in Fords, Holdens, Chryslers and Chevs.
These days he has settled into a Group N Ford Cortina, ironically in the same sort of car where his circuit racing in tin tops began, way back in 1996.
Like all racers he wanted to go faster and for next few years it was in a Chevy Nova. In that period he also delved into production based cars such as a Suzuki Swift and a Toyota Camry. The Nova was fun, but a better brake package came with his next car, a Holden Torana XU-1.
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That led to the purchase of a Valiant Charger which he successfully campaigned on and off over the next 17 years. It became less frequent as he secured drives in the Biante Series which later morphed into Touring Car Masters. Firstly it was in a Ford Falcon XY GT and later in the much loved Holden Monaro.
His other achievements have been to drive at Highlands Park in New Zealand and some guest laps in proper big horsepower open wheeler.
It is also worth catching up on the other entertaining 84 Grassroots Racing Podcasts. There have been many of the big names as well as those who have battled in the sport. They discuss where it started for them and their progression through their careers.
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