Media Release: Walkinshaw Set For Ginetta Supercup Scottish Debut

9/1/2011 5:27 AM EST

The 20 year-old made an impressive series debut at Snetterton in August with a pair of eighth place class finishes, ranking as the highest privateer entry despite only having finished building his race car in the early hours of Friday morning.

Walkinshaw completed construction of his Ginetta G55 in less than 90 days at Ginetta Cars HQ in Leeds to get on the Snetterton grid. The car was finished at 19:30 on Thursday night but a shakedown at the nearby Mintex track revealed a broken oil pump belt resulting in hours more work to save the engine. With the task complete at 02:00, Walkinshaw made straight for the Norfolk track, arriving at 04:30 – just six hours before the start of official practice.

Although qualifying didn’t go to plan, a spin on an oil spill ruining his chances and the consequential off-track excursion resulting in more repairs, Walkinshaw was undeterred and his double top 10 result was justifiable reward for months of hard work and preparation.

An Automotive Engineering student at Oxford Brookes University, Walkinshaw’s welcome return to racing follows a three year break to concentrate on his studies.

The Oxfordshire (near Chipping Norton) resident’s motorsport pedigree was founded on short ovals, racing a Mini from the age of 12 where he amassed numerous race wins and podium finishes. Progressing to the Ginetta Junior ranks in 2006, he achieved more notable results including four podiums and two fastest laps in his last 2008 season.

Joining the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup for the remaining 2011 rounds, the son of late sportscar and Formula One team owner Tom Walkinshaw turns his attentions to his first race on home Scottish soil for over three years.

Although still getting to grips with his new self-constructed chariot, Walkinshaw joins the Finesse Motorsport team in Scotland with his sights firmly set on scoring a top five finish.

“I’m really looking forward to racing at Knockhill again,” said Walkinshaw. “Although I consider it my home track, I’ve only raced here once before and not since 2008. Regardless, it’s actually my favourite circuit on the TOCA package so it feels good to be racing in Scotland so soon after my return to racing.

“First time out in the new car at Snetterton went quite well. It’s a shame qualifying and race one didn’t quite go to plan but I was pleased with the eighth place finishes on my debut. It’s been a great experience building my own race car in time to join the final season rounds and I’d like to thank everyone at Ginetta Cars who have helped me to get back on track.

“This year is all about testing and developing the car so I’m ready for a full season of racing in 2012. I’ve had a good couple of days testing this week at Knockhill, the car is much stronger than it was at Snetterton and the set-up is pretty close to where I want it to be.

“Racing on home ground for the first time since 2008 with the Scottish flag now proudly painted on the roof of my Ginetta, it would mean a lot to get on the podium. That might be a tall order in only my second race weekend but I’m certainly aiming for a top five finish.”

Walkinshaw will take full advantage of official testing on Friday ahead of qualifying for the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup at 11:35 on Saturday. The lights will go green for race one over 16 laps of the challenging 1.3-mile circuit starting at 16:25 while all the action from the two 24-lap races will be live on ITV4 at 09:35 and 15:30 on Sunday.

For event live timing from Knockhill log on to www.tsl-timing.com and for further information on the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup visit www.ginetta.com/championship_supercup

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