Walkinshaw ‘Taking Positives’ From Frustrating Thruxton

Sean Walkinshaw was left to rue what might have been in the latest rounds of the Protyre Formula BARC Championship at Thruxton, after a career-best qualifying performance could only be converted into fifteenth and seventeenth place finishes.

Lapping with excellent pace from the off during the brief fifteen minute practice session, the MTECH Lite driver put in the performance of his short career to date with a superb sixth fastest time in qualifying, with his second best time putting him fourth for the second race.

Confidence was high as he went into the opening race hoping to put in a similar performance and the Cheltenham College student ran well in the top eight early on. Unfortunately though, a flirtation with the kerbs at the final chicane on lap eight resulted in a spin, dropping him right down the field, the Oxfordshire driver eventually finishing fifteenth.

An excellent getaway to the second race saw Sean climb into third place around the first half of the lap, however a slight mistake through the ultra-fast right-hander at Goodwood saw him run wide and drop several places. Walkinshaw ran in seventh until contact from behind with four laps to go relegated him to an eventual finish of seventeenth.

Walkinshaw, who sits a joint seventeenth in the championship, said: “Qualifying was great, it went really well and I was really pleased with the time we managed. Unfortunately the races didn't go so well which was really disappointing as we had good pace this weekend. I proved I can be quick in qualifying though and we had good pace in the races too so I know the results will come.

“In race two I was up to third on the first lap and I tried to do Goodwood flat, but the tyres were still quite cold and I ran a bit wide which put me down to sixth or seventh. Then someone nudged me at the complex quite late on, so we dropped down the order. It's unfortunate but we have a lot of positives to take away to the next round.”