After twelve months away from competitive action, Bedford’s motor racing prospect Alex Walker returned to the road at the weekend in a brand new experience for the speedster in Germany.
Walker made his debut in the BMW M2 Cup, part of the German DTM race series in Oschersleben near Berlin and managed to secure a solid seventh place finish in the second race after hitting problems in the first but came away with points from both and pleased from his opening experience in GT racing.
With no experience of either the car, the track or the Championship ahead of last weekend’s qualification, Walker managed to come away from the weekend with points and the most overtakes.
“Whilst I have had success in single seater racing, this is the first time I have raced with a roof over my head.
“It’s a completely different car with the tyres, the additional weight, even the way you are sat – it’s all completely different”, said Alex.
Walker’s experience in single seater racing with the Formula Ford Championship and latterly the GB4 Championship held him in good stead in mainland Europe and with a further five rounds to come, the Bedfordian is confident of scoring more points despite the tough conditions.
“I really had to start from scratch, as I had not seen the track at Oschersleben before and have not raced in 12 months.
“The other thing I had not considered, was the heat in the car. We were very lucky to be blessed with a lovely warm weekend in Germany, but the temperature in the car was over 40 degrees for the 30 minute race.
“It was very different to racing an open top car, where the open air makes it cooler.”
The Nürburgring awaits
This European series is the latest step in the promising career for the 19-year old, and with races to come at iconic tracks including the Nürburgring, things can only get better.
There is however an impressive down-to-earth feel from Walker who has a steely determination in taking the slow and steady path in an industry that is famously difficult to progress in.
“It’s all learning. Hopefully, I can podium next time out before we go to the Nürburgring in August, the only track on the calendar I have seen before.
“Given support from BMW towards their young driver programme, I am looking to make my mark during 2023 to progress upwards for next season.”
Named as the British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star in 2022, and with wins at iconic tracks such as Brands Hatch and Donington in the bag, the future looks bright.
Read: Bedford racing prospect Alex Walker named British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star
Up next is the Norisring circuit in Nuremburg with July’s race bringing another first for Walker.
“[Oschersleben] was a really hard race because everyone was literally nose-to-tail and not giving an inch.
“It was a great experience to run close to other cars and will make me stronger for the next race at Norisring in July.
“This will be my first experience of a street race as the circuit is in the centre of Nuremberg, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
