Walter Benson

Looking for any contact info about Walter Benson - west coast racer - early days in a Porsche 356 and later in the Trans Am and IMSA GT from 1980 - 1990 in a camaro and Firebird.

I first met Walter at the 1980 Laguna Seca T/A and would crew for him when he came up to Portland. He was a land developer in Sonoma when I met him - selling off parcels of 10 acres to people on a big hill that he apparently purchased from the Hesketh family.

Walter would get some of his race prep and engine work done at Huffaker's and also Danny Gallant Racing. He would come to the race track in tattered old overalls with a beat up old pick-up truck and looked like he didn't have 2 nickels to rub together.

He was a genuine character and has maybe passed on by now. Last I heard he went to Eugene or Medford Oregon.

Robert Barg

Robert,

I remember Walt & his Camaro. We ran against he, & Danny Gallan in A/S -GT1. I sent you a message with possible contact information. If memory is correct, didn't he have a big shunt, somewhere, in the Camaro? I know that I purchased some bits off the car (from Gallant Racing) for my GT1 Camaro.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Yes he did have the big crash with the camaro - think it was a later series Penske IROC car - chassis by Banjo Mathrews. I checked with Huffaker and they have lost track of him. Will try Gallant Racing also. Sent you a pm.

Robert Barg