Les Collins
 |
|
| Born |
24 May 1958 Manchester, England |
|---|---|
| Nationality |
 England
|
| Current club information | |
| Career status | Retired |
| Career history | |
| 1975 | Crewe Kings |
| 1975–1979, 1988 | Belle Vue Aces |
| 1976, 1997 | Stoke Potters |
| 1980–1983 | Leicester Lions |
| 1984–1985 | Sheffield Tigers |
| 1986, 1988 | King's Lynn Stars |
| 1986–1995 | Edinburgh Monarchs |
| 1996 | Cradley/Stoke Heathens |
| 1999–2001, 2003 | Glasgow Tigers |
| 2002 | Workington Comets |
| Individual honours | |
| 1977 | British Under-21 Champion |
| 1980 | British League Riders Champion |
| 1982 | Intercontinental Champion |
| 1986 | Scottish Open Champion |
| Team honours | |
| 1977, 1978 | Northern Trophy |
| 1993 | British League Division Two Fours Winner |
| 1986 | National League Pairs Champion |
Leslie 'Les' Collins (born 24 May 1958) is a former speedway rider. He finished runner-up in the 1982 Speedway World Championship as well as winning the Intercontinental Final in 1982, the British Under-21 Championship in 1977 and the British League Riders' Championship in 1980.
Born in Manchester, England, Collins started his career with the Crewe Kings before moving Belle Vue Aces. He was loaned to the Stoke Potters in 1976 but in 1977 he made a place with the Aces his own, riding alongside brother Peter and family friend Chris Morton.
He moved to the Leicester Lions in 1980 where he stayed until 1983. It was the 1982 season however that proved to be the high point of his career. He qualified for his first and only Speedway World Championship final, winning the Inter Continental title on the way. He finished runner-up that day, despite being the only rider to beat the eventual and defending champion, home town (Los Angeles) hero Bruce Penhall. The final was held at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
An incident involving Penhall and the late Kenny Carter in heat 14 saw Carter excluded. Both riders were being beaten by Peter Collins at the point of the crash. Despite protests by Carter it was he who was excluded rather than Penhall; If Penhall had been excluded then the title may have headed in Les's direction. Older brother Peter had been comfortably leading the race when Carter fell. Penhall won the re-run from Peter Collins and Australia's Phil Crump.
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