Walker steps up the pace

JOB DONE . . . Alex Walker celebrates his double victory in the Intersteps Championship.

MOTORSPORT: OLDHAM’S Alex Walker sent a clear message to his InterSteps Championship rivals with two wins at Rockingham.

It was something of a false start for the 16-year-old Fortec Motorsport driver when he had to sit out the first of three races, following a gearbox issue on the warm-up lap.

But the perfect response saw him cruise to a lights-to-flag triumph from pole in race two, finishing seven seconds ahead of team-mate Ed Jones.

And he did it again in the final showdown, this time beating Jones by 8.9 seconds.

He now sits just two points behind leader and team-mate Jake Dennis, as attention turns to what promises to be a thrilling next round at Donington Park on July 16 and 17.

Walker revealed his relief at bouncing back from the frustration of missing out on the first race.

He said: “It was a perfect way to put behind me the obvious disappointment of having to sit out race one, with two convincing wins.

“I felt really confident going in to the event as I knew I was fully prepared, physically and mentally.

"Two pole positions in qualifying showed that we had the pace early on in the weekend.

“Unfortunately we had a problem in the gearbox in race one, but this is motorsport and it wasn't anybody's fault — the Fortec guys did a fantastic job, working all night to get the car ready.

“I'm just glad I could repay them for their hard work with two wins and pull back some points in the championship.”

Walker was quick to point out the need to avoid complacency.

“Looking ahead, we can't take anything for granted and get carried away.

"Donington is only two weeks away so I will be doing everything I can in the meantime to build on the performance and carry on the progress for the rest of the season."