James Walker will race the JMW Motorsport Ferrari 458 in this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours; the same car that he and Jonny Cocker drove to victory in the first round of the 2012 European Le Mans Series last month. Taking place on 16-17 June, the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours will be James’ first entry into one of the world’s most famous motor races. If you ask any sportscar driver which race they would like to compete in, the response will be unanimous: Le Mans. No other race stirs the soul quite like the Le Mans 24 Hours. Since 1923 the world’s greatest endurance race has provided tales of triumph, bravery and incredible human spirit. Since switching to sportscar racing in 2011, James has been eager to compete at Le Mans so he can’t wait to get onto the famous Circuit de la Sarthe on June 3rd for the official test day.
“Ever since I started racing I’ve wanted to race in the Le Mans 24 Hours,” said James. “Since switching to the Le Mans Series last season it has become one of my main targets. Being selected to race in this year’s event is such a special moment for me. I can’t thank team owner Jim McWhirter enough. I love a tough challenge and there is nothing tougher than the Le Mans 24 Hours. As a team we have grown stronger and stronger over the last year. We have won three of the last six Le Mans Series races so we arrive at Le Mans as one of the favourites.”
Le Mans is so much more than a simple motor race. It is a battle of strategy, tactics and sheer will. James knows that he is in the right team to get a good result in the big race that gets underway at 15:00 on Saturday 16 June. First though comes the Official Test Day on Sunday 3 June.
“The test is going to be amazing as that is when I will see the circuit for the first time,” explained James. “Our main goal at the test is to get ourselves up to speed and run through our test programme; there will be some basic set up work to do as Ferrari have upgraded the car since last year’s Le Mans race.”
The 250,000 spectators who make the annual pilgrimage to Le Mans provide a unique atmosphere that sets the race apart from any other. The British fans in particular are loyal to the British teams and will make themselves heard at every opportunity. As a British racer James can’t wait to put on a good show for them.
“Since the news broke that I would be racing I’ve had so many people contact me to say that they will be going to watch,” said James. “I’ve been to Le Mans as a spectator before and the atmosphere is like nowhere else so it will be great to sample it from a driver’s point of view. I’m also really looking forward to our Dunlop 2012 Le Mans 24 livery being unveiled. This is something the team has done for many years and it gives a member of the public the chance to design our race livery, come to the race and feel like part of the team. I think if we do a good job as a team we will be in with a shot at the podium so it would be a great feeling to give the spectators something to shout about.”
Source : James Walker