Le Mans: James Walker race one report

HEARTBREAK AT LE MANS

Le Mans, France: James Walker came tantalisingly close to winning the World Series by Renault race at Le Mans today, only to lose out when one of his tyres blew on lap 17 of the 27 lap race.

The Jersey racer put in a fantastic performance in qualifying this morning and lined up on the front row of the grid in second place. At the start of the race he went for a move on pole man, Miguel Molina, but the Spaniard just managed to hold him off. James continued the chase for a few laps until the safety car came out and he had to hold position.

His fate was sealed at this time as he was unlucky enough to pick up a slow puncture during the safety car period, which would come into play after the race restarted.

At the restart James piled the pressure onto Molina until the Spanish driver made a mistake and went off at turn six. James breezed into the lead and was pulling away from the pack but could feel there was something amiss with the car. A couple of laps later his front left tyre let go in a big way as he headed onto the pit straight and he was forced to retire.

This was the first time James has raced at Le Mans and it certainly looked like the circuit was about to become a new favourite but it wasn't to be. A rather heartbroken James is now focussing on tomorrow's race which he will start from seventh on the grid.

"I am so gutted to have had to retire from that race," he said. "The car felt fantastic today and I really enjoyed running at the front again. All I can do now is think about tomorrow and hope we have more luck in race two."

Race two at Le Mans gets underway tomorrow lunchtime.

-credit: jwalkermotorsport.com