James Walker
James, one of the most promising British racing drivers, is making his mark in the World Series by Renault, a recognised feeder series for Formula One.
In 2003, only his second season of racing, he won more than half of the year's races in the UK Formula Ford Championship Scholarship class to dominate the series and become champion. He also showed the pace and maturity to race wheel-to-wheel with the senior class runners in a year-old car, appearing on the overall podium on three occasions and setting an outright lap record at Mondello Park.
As a result of his 2003 achievements James was selected by the British Racing Drivers' Club for its prestigious Rising Stars programme which recognises outstanding young talent, and was nominated for the 2003 National Racing Driver of the Year title at the Autosport Awards.
After securing some top results in the British F3 International Series, James moved up to the World Series by Renault for 2007 and took his first win in front of a home crowd at Donington Park. He continued in the series in 2008 and even took time out to race in a few Superleague Formula races, winning at Jerez for the Borussia Dortmund team; an impressive win when you consider that was James' first trip to Jerez.
James is based in Oxford during the season, but returns to Jersey when racing commitments allow. As a professional racing driver he keeps extremely fit, and when he's not racing or in the gym he enjoys watersports and travel.
A word from James
I consider myself extremely lucky to have been born in Jersey. It’s a fantastic place in which to grow up. I lived there until I was 16 before pursuing a career in motorsport, which forced me to spend a lot of my time in the UK. In a strange way, it’s made me realise what a great environment I left behind.
Returning to Jersey whenever I can has become very important to me. No summer is complete without a trip home. I’ve also realised how much I enjoy the beaches – it doesn’t hit you how important they are until you don’t have one five minutes down the road.
From a professional point of view a week back in Jersey is ideal. I have started to build the local sporting and activities scene into my fitness training. There’s a huge amount going on. Swimming and kayaking down at St Brelade on a morning and then afternoon sessions either cycling or climbing are a refreshing change to normal gym work. Everything is so convenient because it’s all right on your doorstep.
When you try and explain to people what it’s like living on a small island like Jersey it’s hard not to mention the beaches. But for me there’s also the attraction of being in the middle of St Helier with its great restaurants, shops and bars and thinking you could be in any major city in the UK.
Competing in motorsport all over Europe gives me a fantastic opportunity to represent the island. I’m extremely proud of where I come from, and love it when people ask me about Jersey. Sometimes I have to prompt people, for I think the island in many ways is slightly undiscovered, even though it’s just across the pond.
Links
www.jameswalkermotorsport.com
www.worldseriesbyrenault.com
