Copa Class podium finisher Sean Walkinshaw is relishing his return to racing on home soil this coming weekend, 13th/14th July, when the European Formula 3 Open visits the UK for the first time in the category’s history with rounds nine and 10 taking place at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.
Ahead of the start of the second half of the season, Chipping Norton-based Sean has been preparing hard for the visit to Silverstone and is aiming to give plenty of British cheer to the home supporters as he bids to add to the maiden series podium he achieved at Jerez in Spain three weeks ago.
Driving for Team West-Tec, the 19-year-old has experienced a trying first season in F3 with a variety of issues hampering his progress during the first half of the championship. With a relatively trouble free outing at Jerez last time out though, the Oxfordshire driver was able to deliver on his potential.
His round seven podium, achieved in incredibly hot conditions, was thoroughly well deserved and came as just reward following a fantastic drive through the order from ninth in the Copa Class. With the British summertime finally in full swing, Sean will be hoping for another strong performance in potentially glorious sunshine.
“It’s great to be racing at Silverstone, it’s my home track and I always enjoy being there”, said the Dallara F308 driver, “Taking our first podium at Jerez last time out was fantastic, we knew we had the pace to do it – things just didn’t work out for us earlier in the season with one thing and another.
“Keeping the momentum going will be really important and finishing on the podium at Silverstone would be great. I’m feeling very confident in the car, the set-up at Jerez worked brilliantly, so we’re aiming to take away more points finishes and, hopefully, more podiums at the weekend.”
Sean, of course, has already raced at Silverstone this year in his Toyota-powered Team West-Tec car during the opening rounds of the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series. The experience gained there, albeit on Cooper rubber rather than the Dunlop tyres utilised in the European F3 Open, should certainly help his challenge just a few days from now.
Following testing at Silverstone on Thursday, 11th July, and Friday, 12th July, qualifying for round nine of the 2013 European F3 Open season is expected to get underway at 11.00 on Saturday, 13th July, with the race following at 15.00.
On Sunday, 14th July, round 10 qualifying will begin at 09.00 with the second race of the weekend scheduled to start at 13.15. Both encounters will be contested over 15 laps and are expected to be screened live on digital satellite and cable channel Motors TV – please check listings for full details.
Provisional 2013 European Formula 3 Open ‘Copa Class’ Standings (after Rd8):
10th Sean Walkinshaw, 6pts