NEWS RELEASE: 6 DECEMBER 2007

WALKER FATHER & SON PLAN RACING CUP ATTACK

Richard Walker, who made a spectacular debut in the Volkswagen Racing Cup in 2007, winning three races, is to return to the Hankook-backed championship next season with a new team and with one of his sons as a running mate.

Former British Truck Grand Prix victor Walker is to have a new Golf prepared for him by the Staffordshire-based SlideSports team, headed by ex-Formula 1 mechanic Mark Jenkins. Walker's 21-year-old son, James, will meanwhile handle a turbodiesel Golf recently bought by the team.

"I am really looking forward to racing alongside James," said Richard. "It wouldn't get much better than being able to stand beside him on the podium." Walker Junior has two years of Caterham racing experience under his belt.

"We have not yet decided whether Richard's Golf will be petrol or diesel powered," said Jenkins. "We have the option of going either route and we will be spending the winter testing and developing James's car before we make the final decision.

"James has learned a lot of racecraft and has inherited all his dad's racing genes - he is definitely going to be one to watch."

James's 22-year-old brother, Daniel, is meanwhile planning on taking his first steps in racing next season, at the wheel of a SlideSports-prepared Formula Ford single-seater. The Walker clan's track machines will be sponsored by Chek Whyte Industries and by the family haulage and property development concerns.

Walker Senior burst on to the Volkswagen Racing Cup scene in June when he took over at the wheel of Mike Kurton's Golf GTI when its owner injured his back. Despite never having raced a front-wheel-drive saloon before, the veteran driver won on his debut at Snetterton.

The Volkswagen Racing Cup expands to 14 rounds next season and will once again be the chief saloon-race support to the British Formula 3 and British GT Championships.