Walker Returns To Racing - And The Podium

press release

“That wasn’t too bad was it?” That was Jonathan Walker’s typically understated summary of his return to the podium, at last weekend’s (19-20 January) third round of the ABKC Winter Series, at PFi, Lincolnshire.

The Blackburn driver’s achievement - finishing 2nd behind three time British kart champion, Mark Litchfield – was all the sweeter considering he’d not even sat in a kart for over two months, “I found it hard at the start of the weekend, but then got it together for the final.”

Under skies greyer than the PFi tarmac, Walker’s day started brightly. Finishing 2nd in his first heat and 7th in the second, the 19-year old qualified in 3rd position for the final.

At the start, Jonathan went with Litchfield and pushed the reigning champion through the first bend to hold onto his 3rd spot from hard-pressing Londoner, Richard Bradley. As the pair ran down to the 3rd corner, side-by-side, Bradley hooked a wheel on the damp part of the track and lost grip, allowing Walker to get away. With Litchfield passing early leader Shaun Carter, Jonathan now sensed his chance and arrowed in.

On lap 6, the Ribchester-based driver saw his chance and took 2nd from Carter - who responded with a hefty shove going into the second chicane. Using his superior pace, Jonny was able to pull away and set off in pursuit of Litchfield. But with just two laps left, he simply ran out of time. Afterwards, Jonathan he commented “If it had been a 15-lap race, I would’ve caught Mark. But I’m really pleased because I didn’t really think I’d be in the top three this weekend – so it’s quite a good result on the whole.” Jonny added: “I’d like to thank Ash and Kev in the team (Ashley Myles Todd Racing) and Gordy at GFR for their help and giving me great kit.”

Jonathan’s next race will be the Winter Series’ 4th round, this time at Rowrah, Cumbria (9 March). From there his season will start in earnest, as he mounts an assault on the British, European and WSK championships - before heading to Puglia, Italy in September for the World Championship.

So what are his goals for 2008? “Win the British, top ten in Europe, top ten in WSK and if I’m lucky, the World Championships”.

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