Lightning Les races with champions

A local businessman rubbed shoulders with legends from the world of motorsport by racing in the Olympic Stadium in Stratford recently. Les Conway, who runs a financial planning firm, Essentially Financial in Pinner, was part of a three man squad called Team ADR Performance which took part in the first ever Daytona Cup karting contest. The competition on November 21 was held before the Race of Champions which included F1 icons Sebastian Vettel and David Coulthard battling it out. The 90 minute endurance contest involved Les and co drivers Graeme Ison and Dave John taking turns to race against 24 other teams in some very challenging weather conditions. Father of two, Les, said: “The drivers had to contend with every type of weather with snow, hail, rain and eventual sunshine creating a real challenge in the very wet conditions. “Having the opportunity to take part in an event which at the Olympic Stadium and then to see some of the biggest names in motorsport show their skills was fantastic.” Having started 21st on the grid, ADR got up to 15th with Les running the middle stint and holding position. Les, who is also chairman of the Pinner & Northwood Business Club, added: “We finished a credible 19th and not least because we were battling against some very quick youngsters who will probably go onto have successful careers in motorsport.” The Race of Champions is an annual event which brings together the world’s finest drivers from all the disciplines of competition – on four wheels and two – and puts them head-to-head on the same track in exactly the same car.