Walker wins Formula Ford scholarship series at Oulton

Walker wins Formula Ford scholarship series at Oulton

Showing real maturity, the Island driver knew that as long as he kept ahead of his main rivals, including second-placed Stephen Jelley, he would win his class and, on a wet and hazardous track, he did just that.So, on the first day of a two-day championship event, the Team JLR driver started the race from fifth on the grid.

By the end of the first lap he had made up a position and was driving smoothly behind senior-class driver Valle Makela.

By this time Jelley had come off the track and, although he managed to continue, was left half a lap behind the front-runners in last place.

Sweden’s Alex Danielsson, another senior runner, was storming up the field from a poor grid position and overtook Walker to take fourth.

The Jersey driver wasn’t too concerned by this overtaking manouevre, however.

He knew he was well in the lead of all his Scholarship competitors and that by allowing Danielsson past it would enhance his chances of finishing the race unscathed.

As he crossed the finish line, Walker punched the air – he’d finished first in his class, a highly respectable fifth overall, and had won the UK Formula Ford Scholarship Class championship.On Sunday, with the championship already in the bag, Walker started from fifth position once again.

This time the weather was dry and sunny.

As the starting gantry’s lights turned from red to green, an epic duel ensued between Walker and senior-class racer and fourth-place man, Tom Gaymor.

Walker passed Gaymor; then Gaymor passed Walker.

This thrilling spectacle ended on lap five when Walker exceeded the level of grip available on the Cheshire circuit, while trying to find a way to snatch back fourth position.

The resulting spin pushed him back to 16th.

Undeterred, he continued to fight hard and disposed of four of the drivers ahead of him.

He took the chequered flag in 12th place.Afterwards Walker said: ‘This has been a fantastic season and will provide both motivation and momentum going into 2004.

Now I’m concentrating on the Formula Ford World Finals at Brands Hatch next month, and also my Formula 3 commitments over the winter.’

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