Wigan work it out
3rd place launches title assault for Walker

100cc PR’s Jonathan Walker scored a creditable 3rd place at the British Open Championship at the Three Sisters circuit, near Wigan (30 March) and said: “This is just the start”.

The ‘O Plate’ – as the event is known, after the number plate bearing an ‘O’ is awarded to the winner – is one of British karting’s most prestigious titles, and is renowned for the winner-takes-all nature of the driving.

Jonathan’s weekend started reasonably enough, when in Timed Qualifying he posted the 5th fastest time. “We could’ve gone quicker, but didn’t” he said somewhat enigmatically afterwards, adding: “At least it was better than being at the back.”

Starting from the third row of the grid for his two heats, the 19-year old survived a crash in his first race to finish 6th. In the second, Jonny had no such problems, and picked his way through from 5th on the grid to win. His aggregated finishes left him on the front row of the grid, alongside Shaun Carter.

With things becoming serious, some drivers were becoming a little desperate – which Jonathan found to his cost. As the karts blasted down the circuit’s long main straight into the first corner, Jonny was rammed from behind and knocked off the circuit, allowing the pack to stream past him. He said: “I got going and finished 2nd. I was so angry I just tore through the field and was pleased to finish so high up, considering what’d happened.”

Despite being on the front row of the grid for the Final, Jonathan knew that he was in a vulnerable position. Being on the outside for the right-hand corner, and off the crucial racing-line, invariably leaves the 2nd-placed starter struggling to maintain track position, as the field on the inside line have a big advantage.

Jonny gives us his through-the-visor view of what happened next: “As you exit the last corner and come onto the start/finish straight, the whole field is bunched up and travelling relatively slowly. But as you approach the lights the poleman picks up the pace and you’re heading into the first corner at over 70mph. With everyone nose-to-tail, the guy behind you is effectively pushing you through the first few corners – or off the circuit in my case!”

Dropping to 6th, Walker – who makes a mean cocktail – collected himself and stormed back to finish 3rd at the chequered. “I should’ve done better with the speed I had but 3rd’s not a bad result – it’s a good base to start from.”

You can keep up to date with Jonathan and his racing activities throughout the season, by visiting www.jonathanwalkerracing.com

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