Media Release: Walkinshaw Has Podium Hopes Dashed At Thruxton
Thruxton, Hampshire – Sunday, April 29, 2012; Fergus Walkinshaw’s hopes of returning to the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup podium were ruined on Sunday, April 29, when the 21 year-old was forced to record non-finishes in rounds eight and nine at Thruxton.
Constant heavy rain and blustering high winds contributed to the appalling conditions at the Hampshire circuit, yet Walkinshaw welcomed the wet weather, hoping the rain would help him repeat yesterday’s front-running qualifying pace.
A brilliant start from fifth on the grid propelled Walkinshaw up to fourth place into Allard, with Tom Sharp, Tom Ingram and Carl Breeze ahead. With lots of standing water across the circuit and severe spray making visibility extremely difficult, the front runners picked their way around lap one.
As Walkinshaw assessed the tricky conditions, fifth-placed Andy Richardson challenged heading across the line for lap two but Walkinshaw remained un-phased and began to pull clear.
Setting the third fastest time of the field on lap four, the Century Motorsport driver was extending his 1.5-second advantage over Richardson when he hit a patch of standing water, swept across the track by the increasing winds, on the apex at Noble.
Aquaplaning off the circuit and onto the water-logged infield, he smashed into a dirt mound which launched his Ginetta G55 into the air and caused significant front-end damage.
The Century Motorsport crew worked flat-out to rebuild the car, replacing the front bumper, splitter, crash box, radiator, air cooler, power steering cooler, anti-roll bar, left lower wishbone, left lower wishbone clevis, steering rack, air box, steering tie rods, all piping, the bonnet, rear wing end plate and gurney strip.
Despite a monumental team effort it was impossible to get the #91 car to the grid in time for round nine, but the Century boys managed to get Walkinshaw back on-track six laps into the race.
Although he had no chance of scoring championship points, Walkinshaw posted lap times on par with the top six runners while providing the Thruxton fans with some entertainment with his sideways car control.
Still, with two DNFs on his Thruxton record sheet Walkinshaw will be looking for a change of luck come the next Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup rounds at Oulton Park on June 9&10.
“I’m gutted with today’s result,” said Walkinshaw. “I couldn’t avoid aquaplaning at Noble, the same patch of water caught out several other drivers, including Carl Breeze. I just happened to hit a dirt mound and that caused the damage.
“The team did a fantastic job to rebuild the car and I’m grateful for everyone’s efforts. It was a shame I wasn’t classified in the results but I was just short of the 80 per cent race distance.
“I was on good form this morning and confident of a third-place finish. If I’d achieved that in round eight I would have had a good chance of taking back-to-back podiums.”
-Ends-
Media Contact
Emma Spearing, Hazel PR:
Mobile: 07736 341828 | Email: emma.spearing@hazelpr.com
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