Walker Storms To First Race Victories

Blackburn racer Johnathan Walker continued a fine debut season by winning rounds five and six of the Super One Renault Formula ICA national kart series on Sunday 3rd June. The wins at Scotland’s Larkhall circuit move him up to third in the drivers’ standings, just 12 points behind triple defending champion Mark Litchfield (Ripley).Walker was second in timed qualifying but mixed heat results of third and 14th after a spin left him seventh on the grid for final one. Chris Rogers (Waltham Cross) started from pole position alongside Scott Jenkins (Bristol), but Rogers was edged out by just 0.33s at the chequered flag and Jenkins failed to finish.An engine failure for Litchfield in heat one saw him start ninth but he battled through to finish fourth. Litchfield said: “You can afford one bad heat because it only puts you halfway down the grid and it’s possible to salvage a result from there.”Daniel Cammish (Leeds) was the biggest mover in final one, surging through from 16th on the grid to finish in the top-eight.Starting from pole position for final two, Walker came under pressure from Rogers but was able to maintain good track position and hold his lead to the finish. Commenting on his success, Walker said: "You have to be very smooth here and the tight twisty circuit really suits my driving style. The kart was set up perfectly and to win both races is fantastic."Second-placed Rogers and third-placed Danny Cruttenden (Wilmington) ensured the top three finished in grid order. Litchfield, who suffered broken ribs since the previous event at PF International, dropped from fourth to seventh. He commented: “It was hard work and I was in pain throughout the day. Also, if there’s one track I’m not so good at it’s Larkhall so I hope to count at least one of these results in my two dropped scores at the end of the year.”Jenkins produced the drive of the race to storm through from 16th on the grid to finish fifth. Chris Brown (Peterborough) also showed his overtaking prowess with a rise from 18th on the grid to eighth.As series leader at this point in the season, Litchfield receives an invite from Renault Sport UK to watch ING Renault F1 Team in action at official Formula One testing at Silverstone on Thursday, 21st June.The Junior MSA British Kart Championship will continue at five venues around the UK, with the next round at Shenington Circuit near Banbury, on 7th/8th July.Renault Formula A provisional championship standings:1st – Mark Litchfield, 233pts; 2nd – Danny Cruttenden, 229pts; 3rd – Jonathan Walker, 221pts; 4th – Chris Rogers, 212pts; 5th – Scott Jenkins, 210pts; 6th Lee Bell, 202pts.

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