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Media Release: Walkinshaw Aiming For Thruxton Ginetta GT Supercup Podium Return

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Oxford, UK – Friday, April 20, 2012; Fergus Walkinshaw will be aiming to return to the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup podium at Thruxton, on April 28&29, as the premier domestic sportscar series, which supports the British Touring Car Championship package, heads to Hampshire for the next triple round showdown.

Walkinshaw bounced back from his heavy Brands Hatch accident to take a trio of healthy points-scoring results at Donington Park last time out. Despite very little running time in his newly rebuilt car while suffering from understeer and a dragging clutch, the 21 year-old’s eighth, seventh and fifth place finishes helped to consolidate fifth place in the title fight.

The most southerly circuit on the 2012 calendar, Walkinshaw has already proved he has the pace around the 2.356-mile Thruxton circuit. He topped the timesheets at the official TOCA test on April 4 just hours after completing the three-day rebuild of his Ginetta G55 with the Century Motorsport team.

With his first Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup podium finish scored in the opening rounds at Brands Hatch and five top eight finishes to his credit so far this season, the Chipping Norton racer will be aiming to turn his testing pace into podium form at the challenging Hampshire track.

“I know the car goes really well at Thruxton. I was quickest in the last session of the TOCA test at the beginning of the month which was great, especially considering we only finished rebuilding the car that morning,” said Walkinshaw.

“After Donington Park, we have hopefully resolved any mechanical gremlins left as a result of the Brands Hatch accident. Donington Park was all about ironing out those problems while salvaging championship points, and although we didn’t get the set-up quite right it takes nothing away from our rebuild achievements.

“I haven’t raced much at Thruxton but I’m confident that we have a strong set-up. I also like the track, so I’m hopeful of taking another podium finish. It will be important to stay out of the first lap chaos that will inevitably unfold at the Complex and the Chicane. If we can do that we have a strong chance of doing well.”

Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup qualifying takes place at 10.25 on Saturday, April 28, with round six of the 2012 championship fight starting at 16.05. The lights will go green for round seven on Sunday morning at 10.45, followed by the third and final race of the weekend over 16 laps at 15.45. All timings are provisional and subject to change.

-Ends-

Media Contact

Emma Spearing, Hazel PR:

Mobile: 07736 341828 | Email: emma.spearing@hazelpr.com

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Oxford Chipping Norton Fergus Walkinshaw Ginetta G55 Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup Scottish Century Motorsport Ginetta Ginetta GT Supercup Thruxton

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Quotes

I know the car goes really well at Thruxton. I was quickest in the last session of the TOCA test at the beginning of the month which was great, especially considering we only finished rebuilding the car that morning. After Donington Park, we have hopefully resolved any mechanical gremlins left as a result of the Brands Hatch accident. Donington Park was all about ironing out those problems while salvaging championship points, and although we didn’t get the set-up quite right it takes nothing away from our rebuild achievements. I haven’t raced much at Thruxton but I’m confident that we have a strong set-up. I also like the track, so I’m hopeful of taking another podium finish. It will be important to stay out of the first lap chaos that will inevitably unfold at the Complex and the Chicane. If we can do that we have a strong chance of doing well.
Fergus Walkinshaw