JERSEY sportscar star James Walker is set to make his European racing return later this month when he competes in the Michelin Le Mans Cup at the world famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.
Walker will be racing an Audi R8 GT3 LMS EVO II for the UK-based Steller Motorsport team in round 4 of the 2024 season on 24 August.
Having previously raced at Spa-Francorchamps in British F3, World Series by Renault, European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), Walker is confident of challenging for victory on his racing return.
He said: “To have the opportunity of returning to a top tier European championship with a team like Steller Motorsport is an absolute privilege.
“I was fortunate enough to have tested the Audi GT3 earlier in the year around theSilverstone Grand Prixcircuit, which went really well.
“I was really impressed with the operation of the team and the level of commitment from every single team member.
“Following that test, conversations and discussions continued, resulting in a plan being put in place for my return to racing at the end of the month.
Spa-Francorchamps is up there with the fastest and most challenging race circuits in the world, which is why it’s probably top of my list.
“Having won there in World Series by Renault and challenged for victory with Ferrari in ELMS, I really do think we go there as a team with a chance of victory.”
The Michelin Le Mans Cup grid features 42 cars this season, divided into two classes: LMP3 and GT3.
The eligible car list in the GT3 category (in which Walker will compete) extends to every constructor which has an approved FIA GT3 chassis, including Aston Martin Vantage, Honda NSX, Audi R8 LMS EVO II, Ferrari 296,Porsche 911 GT3 R Type 992 and Lamborghini Huracan EVO2.
Steller Motorsport managing director Gary Blackman was full of praise for Walker, adding: “It’s great to have James joining us in our Audi GT3 car at the Spa-Francorchamps round of Michelin Le Mans Cup.
“James has already been testing in the car at Silverstone and, despite having been out of race cars for a few years, was up to front-running pace in no time and providing superb, consistent feedback to the engineering team.
“We believe his natural talent and raw pace will allow him to battle against the fastest drivers, whilst his wealth of experience will aid him in coaching his amateur teammate to become a pro-am pairing that is in contention for a strong result at the fearsome Belgian circuit.”
Livestreaming of qualifying and the race will be available on the official MLMC website at lemanscup.com, and free to view. The race is also available online in all regions across the world on Eurovision Sport. In Europe, live coverage can be found on Motorvision (Pan Europe) and Shift TV (Pan Balkan).
Anyone wishing to follow Walker’s progress, can do so via his Instagram @jameswalker83.
