We were delighted to recently reveal Liona Theobald as our Rest of World winner for the 2024 Be The Next Walero Athlete Competition at the end of last week. A GT racer who continues to go from strength to strength and impress all of those around her out on track, Liona impressed the Walero team with her commitment and dedication to the sport she loves.

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We caught up with Liona to ask some all important questions about her journey to becoming the next Walero athlete and what it means to her and superb career so far!

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1. How does it feel to be named the next Walero athlete and what was your first reaction to the news?

It feels absolutely amazing!! I feel very proud to join the Walero Team and I am looking forward to the future and working with everyone. I was shocked when I first found out, there was lots of other very successful athletes in the top 10 but I was very excited to get selected as the next Walero athlete!

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2. What made you to enter the 2024 competition?

I entered the competition last year and made it to the top 10, ever since then I have followed Walero Motorsports and their athletes and seeing all the awesome things they are getting up to. When I saw the competition again earlier in the year, I entered straight away as I really wanted to be part of the Walero Team and help promote their brand!

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3. What stands out to you about the Walero brand?

The main thing that stands out to me about the Walero brand is their base layers and how unique and advanced they are compared to other brands. Also, how much of a family the Walero team come across as and how supportive everyone is of each other. 

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4. What are you looking forward to most about being a Walero athlete?

I am most looking forward to working with the Walero Team, especially the other athletes and pushing together to be the best we can! I am also looking forward to showcasing their awesome brands and base layers both on and off track!

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5. How has 2024 been for you so far from a racing perspective?

It has been a massive learning curve as it’s my first year in endurance racing, but very positive with multiple podiums and driver of the day award so far this season! I am racing with SVG Motorsport with James Townsend as my partner pairing and each time out in the car provides learning opportunities and as a team, we’re always pushing to be better! 

6. Could you provide a short overview of your career so far for our followers?

I started racing when I was 15 in Ginetta Juniors, which was my first ever taste of competitive motorsport! Finishing the season I competed in a round of Ginetta GT5. In 2023, I moved up to the next class of Ginetta Cars, the GT Pro Championship finishing 6^th overall in the standings, as well as doing a fun filled round in a Caterham 135! This season I have made the step up to endurance racing. I am competing in GT Cup in a Ginetta GT4! Competing in GT Cup this season is challenging as it’s my first year of endurance racing with driver changes and new aspects of motorsport. However, I am loving it and each round is about progression and pushing for those podiums! 

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