Media Release: FW Motorsport Refuses To Be Beaten By Challenging Croft Outing
Croft, North Yorkshire – Sunday 23 June 2013: FW Motorsport, the fledgling Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup team, refused to be beaten by one of the most challenging weekends of its maiden sportscar season at Croft, with team owner/driver Fergus Walkinshaw digging deep to deliver 12th and eighth place finishes against the odds.
After another notable recovery drive from the 22 year-old to 11th place, following a brush with a tyre bale in yesterday’s round 12, the changeable weather fronts continued into Sunday’s racing at the challenging North Yorkshire circuit.
Cloudy but dry conditions greeted the GT Supercup field for round 13 early on Sunday afternoon. Clear away at the lights, Walkinshaw charged through from the sixth row to yo-yo for position with Carl Boardley for much of the opening part of the 15-lap race.
Catching onto the tail end of the seven car train jostling for sixth, Walkinshaw delivered another thrilling fight for the Croft crowds from lap three. Battling at close quarters with Boardley and Colin White, the trio traded places for the following three laps before the FW Motorsport car was forced to pit to fix front-end damage.
Rejoining the fray nearly one lap down, although Walkinshaw’s hopes of a top 10 finish were destroyed he continued to push and, with last lap retirements from White and Matt Nicoll-Jones, salvaged important points for 12th.
An outstanding effort from the entire FW Motorsport team to re-build the front of the Ginetta G55 ensured the #91 car was back on-track for the final race of the weekend. Walkinshaw repaid his team’s efforts with an awesome start and opening lap charge that saw the FW Motorsport G55 storm through from the sixth row to lie seventh.
Relishing the showery conditions, the Chipping Norton racer’s hopes were once again ruined when a heavy rear hit heading into Tower bend on lap two sent him into a spin. His getaway path blocked, Walkinshaw eventually rejoined in 12th some 4.8 seconds adrift.
While further rainfall on lap three caused chaos further up the field, Walkinshaw remained undeterred and picked off places to run eighth by lap eight before the race was red flagged due to a heavy downpour on lap 13.
“This has been one of the most challenging weekends of the season so far,” commented Walkinshaw. “Not much seemed to go our way today, but a fantastic effort from all the team ensured that we kept on fighting to pick up important points.
“Although we only just finished the car for the final race, everything started to come together. With the rain showers, I was confident I could work my way through the pack but I was spun out of contention. It was a real shame as it not only cost me track position but also caused more front and rear damage to the car. But the most important thing is that we managed to finish each race and I can’t thank the guys enough for all their hard work.”
The FW Motorsport crew will now enjoy a month-long summer break before racing resumes at Snetterton on 3-4 August.
-Ends-
FW Motorsport Press Office:
Emma Spearing +44(0)7736 341828 | emma@fwmotorsport.com
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