The Little Lizard
Nitro Member
It is with a heavy heart I pass on the word that a friend of mine Les Welch has passed away. Les was a legendary career NHRA photographer and peer of fellow drag racing photography legend Steve Reyes. The brothers also had many rich and diverse experiences in the sport of drag racing. I will miss my friend and I know he has gods speed. The Fremont Raceway facebook page has posted a note they indicates it's from Les's brother Rich who lives here locally in Sacramento where I reside the message they posted publicly is on the fremont raceway facebook page and reads as follows:
From Rich Welch :
It is with great sadness that I inform you that my brother Les Welch has passed away. He would have been 70 years old on March 18th of this year.
Many of you knew him, but for those of you that didn’t, Les was a popular photographer and member of the NHRA family since the mid 1960’s. He began his photographic career working with me when I was a race car photographer. In the 60’s Les shot pictures with me at Fremont Drag Strip, Half Moon Bay, Sacramento Raceway, Kingdon (Lodi), Vaca Valley and occasionally on our trips to Southern California when his schedule permitted. At that time Les was a successful musician in the 1960’s San Francisco rock scene, arranging, performing, recording and touring.
Eventually, Les migrated away from music. While on tour he had met his wife-to-be Joann, moved to Southern California, got married, and became a “regular” in the Southern California drag racing scene. He started his company “Les Welch Color Photography” and as his business grew the couple bought a motor home and went “on tour” supplying photos to racers and sponsors across the country. Since then his drag racing photographs have been used in major corporate advertising campaigns, in driver and sponsor promotional materials, magazines, and newspapers. His photos adorn the walls of sponsor’s offices worldwide.
Les retired from shooting NHRA events a few years ago to take care of his ailing wife Jo who passed away in late 2010, but he continued the successful online photo sales effort through his website.
Besides my wife Kathleen and I, Les is survived by his two sons Jack and George (and their wives) of Las Vegas, a nephew Mike Welch in Humbolt County and a niece, Toni Welch-Edelman and her family in Kentucky.
Jack and George also shot photos at NHRA events for their Dad’s company over the years. This was truely a family business. The sons will continue their heritage and offer the historic motorsport photos at the current website: Les Welch Color Photography.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the NHRA charity organization “D.R.A.W.” (Drag Racing Association of Women) at the website: Drag racing Association of Women Home.
Les Welch Color Photography
Les Welch Color Photography
Home of Les Welch Color Photography on the Net, motorsports photography since 1964.
messages and condolences can be left at the fremont drag strip facebook page at web-link: https://www.facebook.com/rich.welch.50#!/FremontDragstrip
From Rich Welch :
It is with great sadness that I inform you that my brother Les Welch has passed away. He would have been 70 years old on March 18th of this year.
Many of you knew him, but for those of you that didn’t, Les was a popular photographer and member of the NHRA family since the mid 1960’s. He began his photographic career working with me when I was a race car photographer. In the 60’s Les shot pictures with me at Fremont Drag Strip, Half Moon Bay, Sacramento Raceway, Kingdon (Lodi), Vaca Valley and occasionally on our trips to Southern California when his schedule permitted. At that time Les was a successful musician in the 1960’s San Francisco rock scene, arranging, performing, recording and touring.
Eventually, Les migrated away from music. While on tour he had met his wife-to-be Joann, moved to Southern California, got married, and became a “regular” in the Southern California drag racing scene. He started his company “Les Welch Color Photography” and as his business grew the couple bought a motor home and went “on tour” supplying photos to racers and sponsors across the country. Since then his drag racing photographs have been used in major corporate advertising campaigns, in driver and sponsor promotional materials, magazines, and newspapers. His photos adorn the walls of sponsor’s offices worldwide.
Les retired from shooting NHRA events a few years ago to take care of his ailing wife Jo who passed away in late 2010, but he continued the successful online photo sales effort through his website.
Besides my wife Kathleen and I, Les is survived by his two sons Jack and George (and their wives) of Las Vegas, a nephew Mike Welch in Humbolt County and a niece, Toni Welch-Edelman and her family in Kentucky.
Jack and George also shot photos at NHRA events for their Dad’s company over the years. This was truely a family business. The sons will continue their heritage and offer the historic motorsport photos at the current website: Les Welch Color Photography.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the NHRA charity organization “D.R.A.W.” (Drag Racing Association of Women) at the website: Drag racing Association of Women Home.
Les Welch Color Photography
Les Welch Color Photography
Home of Les Welch Color Photography on the Net, motorsports photography since 1964.
messages and condolences can be left at the fremont drag strip facebook page at web-link: https://www.facebook.com/rich.welch.50#!/FremontDragstrip
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