This is tough.
But it’s also good to know that Wally’s suffering is over.
Back in 1997, Wally Nesbitt was the very first subscriber to Inside Track Motorsport News. And eventually, he became our most prolific writer, producing hundreds and hundreds of interviews and race reports spotlighting Canadian racers and racing. His contributions to Canadian motorsports, via the quality and quantity of the stories he crafted, are likely unmatched. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.
More than that, we’ll miss his friendship. Wally was a very nice man.
Condolences to Wally’s family and friends.
Below is Wally’s obit… written by the man himself.
RIP Wally.
– Greg MacPherson.
***
‘The Dance is Over’
John ‘Wally’ left mortal pain behind on July 29, 2026 as he entered into an eternal rest in hospital in his 72nd year.
The first chosen child of John (Jack) and Wilhelmina (Willie) Nesbitt, Wally (“only my family and the police call me John!”) was eventually joined in the family by a sister Kathleen (Lance Lovelock) and brother Ted (Tracee).
Although always prepared to enjoy a good time with a small circle of friends, Wally nevertheless enjoyed his solitary time, spending youthful summer days scooping up tadpoles and crawdads in the creek, casting a fishing line into any available body of water and as he aged, grabbing his ever present camera to explore and shoot landscapes, nature, and ultimately, racing cars.
Graduating with his Grade 13 diploma in Science, Tech and Trades from Courtice Secondary School (Oshawa) in 1973, his ensuing career choices included farm and body shop labourer, part-time disc jockey and amateur photographer, before he settled into a three-decade span in the equipment rental industry. Never married, Wally admitted that he “could never have gotten away with half the stuff I did if I’d had a partner!”
Developing an early passion (obsession!) for motorsports, Wally would eventually turn his interest into a career (“it only took me 52 years to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up”), his journalistic efforts rewarded with an induction into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame (Media) in 2023.
Physical challenges slowed his once free spirited lifestyle, deteriorating mobility issues forcing an early retirement and ultimately a sedate life in front of the television. Watching the world remotely, he kept his mind active following a wide variety of sports, thriving on documentaries and nature shows while developing an occasionally unhealthy infatuation with Canadian and world politics.
Fully recognizing that he was not destined for a long life, he accepted his mortality and was grateful for time spent with friends and his immediate, his racing and his church families.
When Wally’s Lord and Saviour finally called him home, he was reunited with his parents in heaven, while leaving behind his brother and sister, niece Kimberlee and nephews David, Jeffrey and Willem, as well as an assortment of cousins.
As per his wishes, there will be no formal funeral, although all are invited to a Celebration of Life and a spreading of his ashes around his beloved Mosport (CTMP) Raceway. A date for Wally’s Celebration has been set for Saturday, October 03, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (Infield, Turn 8).
In lieu of flowers, Wally suggests that any donations made to either the Columbus Community United Church, the Homes for Heroes Foundation or a charity of your choice, would be gratefully received.
‘I could have missed the pain, but I’d have had to miss the Dance”- Garth Brooks.
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