Walker strolls to victory at Oulton Park
Early GB4 Championship leader Alex Walker extended his margin at the top of standings with a crushing Saturday performance at Oulton Park. Elite Motorsport’s 18-year-old contender claimed a double pole position in qualifying this morning, and converted the first of his poles into a commanding victory, well clear of a battling Max Marzorati and Jarrod Waberski
Qualifying
Walker’s double pole position came courtesy of two excellent laps in the closing stages of the 15 minute session. His best effort of 1m35.552s was just under two tenths of a second clear of Fortec’s Nikolas Taylor, who had topped much of the session.
Taylor claimed a front-row start again after his own pole double at Snetterton, while Hillspeed’s Megan Gilkes was impressive on the way to the third fastest time. Her teammate Max Marzorati was fourth fastest, half a tenth clear of Fortec’s Elias Adestam with Tom Mills completing the qualifying top-six for Kevin Mills Racing, and within a second of the outright pace. Each driver’s second fastest times form the grid for race two, which is due to start at 10.05 on Monday morning (18 April), with Walker, Taylor and Adestam the top-three.
Race one
Walker soared into an immediate lead on the run to Old Hall on the first lap, while the Hillspeed duo took advantage of a slow start for Taylor and Adestam to claim second and third early on. While Walker romped into the distance, Marzorati moved past Gilkes early on but KMR’s Jarrod Waberski had made a strong start from seventh on the grid to challenge the pair almost from the off.
Gilkes pressured Marzorati throughout the first half of the race, but Waberski moved past the Canadian on lap six and then set about Marzorati. While Walker stormed to a nine-second victory, Marzorati just fended off Waberski for second place as he continued his trend of exciting close finishes. The pair were three tenths of a second apart at the line, with Gilkes and Adestam close by too.
Walker commented: “It’s been a great Saturday. A double pole and the win, and I can’t wait to get going on Monday. I’m really happy with today and it’s a good way to start the Easter weekend. "The race felt more a practice session than a race to be honest, because as soon as I came out of turn one I already had a gap, so there wasn’t really much else to do. So it was just being consistent and trying to get through the race as quickly as possible. I got very lucky with people at the start and I’m sure it won’t happen again, so I don’t think race two or three will be as easy.”
The GB4 field returns to action on Easter Monday (18 April), with two further races and both set to be streamed live online with full build-up and post-race interviews.
GB4 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, Oulton Park qualifying top-six:
1. Alex Walker, Elite Motorsport, 1m35.552s
2. Nikolas Taylor, Fortec Motorsport, +0.192s
3. Megan Gilkes, Hillspeed, +0.652s
4. Max Marzorati, Hillspeed, +0.754s
5. Elias Adestam, Fortec Motorsport, +0.802s
6. Tom Mills, Kevin Mills Racing, +0.976s
Click here for full result
GB4 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, Oulton Park race one top-six:
1. Alex Walker, Elite Motorsport, 12 laps
2. Max Marzorati, Hillspeed, +9.178s
3. Jarrod Waberski, Kevin Mills Racing, +9.526s
4. Megan Gilkes, Hillspeed, +9.873s
5. Elias Adestam, Fortec Motorsports, +10.537s
6. Nikolas Taylor, Fortec Motorsports, +14.149s
Click here for full result
GB4 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, drivers’ standings after race four of 24
1. Alex Walker, Elite Motorsport, 112pts
2. Max Marzorati, Hillspeed, 91pts
3. Jarrod Waberski, Kevin Mills Racing, 81pts
4. Nikolas Taylor, Fortec Motorsport, 79pts
5. Tom Mills, Kevin Mills Racing, 78pts
6. Elias Adestam, Fortec Motorsport, 71pts
Click here for full standings.
For more championship information, visit www.gb-4.net