Can Jonny leave title rivals wiltin' in Whilton heat? | 01/07/09 The British Super 1 season reaches its mid-point at the picturesque Whilton Mill circuit, near Daventry this weekend (4/5 July).. After a dramatic previous round at Rowrah, where he suffered a huge crash that destroyed his Gillard chassis, Jonathan battled on to take brave fifth and tenth places. After nearly an entire month lay off to get back in shape, he's ready to return to the fray. However, pre-race testing has gone well and Jonathan is confident that he has the pace to fight for trophies, come Sunday. "I've got a new chassis from Gillard and we've up-rated the brakes to give....... read more >> Jonathan survives bruising weekend at Rowrah | 08/06/09 Jonny showed genuine grit and courage after a nasty roll in one of his heats to fight on to take two top ten finishes on Sunday (7 June). After equaling his best qualifying performance of the season with the second fastest time, Jonathan looked set for a successful day at what he regards as his 'local' track. A strong fourth place in the first heat appeared to confirm this - but it was in the second race that disaster, literally struck. "I'm not entirely sure what happened, but we think a spring jammed my throttle open. All I do know was that I went into the barriers flat-out!" He almost took ....... read more >> Jonathan takes first podium of the season at Sheni' | 13/05/09 Not even a chest infection could slow Jonny at last Sunday's (10 May) second round of the British Super 1 Championship at Shenington, Oxfordshire. The AMT driver is always fast at the circuit located in picturesque countryside, and again demonstrated this in timed qualifying. Recording the second-fastest time, Jonny found himself just eight one hundredths of a second shy of the pole time. He then won the first heat, but suffered a problem in the following encounter and was unable to finish. Jonny started the first of Sunday's two points-scoring finals from the third row of the grid. As the field....... read more >> Explosive performance from Jonny at Sheni' | 25/01/09 Jonny got his 2009 Super 1 campaign off to a solid start last weekend (21 / 22 March) at the PFi circuit, between Grantham and Newark. The seven round Championship will visit a further six destinations - including circuits in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Timed Qualifying was incredibly tight, with just 2 tenths of a second separating the 2nd fastest driver from the 11th, which is where Jonny found himself. The first heat went well, with the Gillard driver managing to battle his way through to 5th - a feat he repeated in the following race, to earn himself a 2nd row starting place....... read more >> Explosive performance from Jonny at Sheni' | 25/01/09 Jonathan's pre-season preparations went - quite literally - with a bang, when he contested the third round of the ABKC Winter Series on 18 January. The fast Oxfordshire circuit often produces exciting and dramatic racing, but for Jonathan his dramas were of a more mechanical nature. The limited format of just two heats and a final make strong heat finishes vital - and Jonny was almost immediately on the back foot in the first of the day's races, when his best engine failed. He said, "The First heat didn't go well. The motor broke on the first lap and I had to go back into....... read more >> Jonny joins fellow racers to raise £50,000 | 15/01/09 Jonathan joined a star-studded line-up at the world's biggest motor racing show - Autosport International - at Birmingham's NEC, last Friday (9 January). He was appearing for the first time in the televised race that has become a highlight of the annual event, after being invited to join a team representing leading weekly motor racing newspaper, Motorsport News. The two-hour endurance race attracted 16 teams, consisting of established and up-and-coming drivers from motorsports various disciplines, members of the public - who had paid £300 each for the privilege of going wheel to wheel with their heroes - and a team of glamour models, appropriately named 'Bangers....... read more >> Jonny aims to win £50,000 cash dash | 07/01/09 It is billed as a 'Who's who of world class motorsport' - and this Friday's BP Ultimate Celebrity Challenge (9 January 2009) is certainly attracting a stellar line-up of famous names from the world of motor racing. The annual charity fundraiser held at the world's biggest racing car show - Autosport International - at the NEC, Birmingham regularly attracts a mixture of established and up-and-coming stars. Jonathan has been selected by Motorsport News - Britain's premier weekly motorsport newspaper - to take on the world's best drivers in a bid to win £50,000 for charity........ read more >> Winter series of Discontent | 06/12/08 The first round of the ABKC Winter Series at PFI in Lincolnshire on 2 November was, for Jonny, about as enjoyable as the weather - wet and miserable. With a different format to that of Super 1(timed qualifying followed by two heats and two finals) the Winter Series only has two heats with one final. This means that - to get a good grid position for the final - finishing well in both heats is crucial. "I was running really well and was in 3rd on the last lap and just clipped a kerb on the exit of the second hairpin and suddenly the chain threw itself. I couldn't believe it, I'd just touched it....... read more >> Jonny helps Johnny to raise £30,000 for charity | 01/12/08 The annual Johnny Herbert Kart Challenge is a popular fixture in the motorsport calendar, and brings together a lively mix of racing drivers, kart racers and members of the public to raise money for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. Three-time Grand Prix winner, Herbert started his eponymous event when he was racing in the Benetton F1 team alongside Michael Schumacher - and it is now in its 15th year, with 23 teams entering up to 6 drivers in a punishing endurance race. This year's race saw Jonathan make his debut, when he was called up for his racewear........ read more >> Jonny wins inaugural Daytona D-Max 500 | 28/11/08 Karting Magazine had entered the inaugural Daytona D-Max 500 endurance race (28 September), with a team featuring the classic blend of youth and experience - Jonny joined KF2 stars, Mackenzie Taylor and Jack Harvey, with Karting Magazine journalist and Kartmania supremo, Martin Capenhurst completing the line-up. As the team assembled in the impressive pavilion club-house, it soon became apparent that they were facing some serious opposition. Honda F1 fielded two squads, whilst Force India and McLaren were also represented - all of them had ringers. In qualifying, the times......... read more >> Jonny's got a one-track mind | 03/10/08 Jonathan heads to Shenington in Oxfordshire this weekend (4/5 October) for the final round of the British Super 1 Championship - and is intent on winning. Although Derbyshire's Mark Litchfield has already sealed the title, Jonathan can move from his present 4th place in the table to second with strong performance in Sunday's two finals. "It's all very close," Jonny says. "I'm going out to win both finals - that's what I'm aiming for. You can't do any better than that, can you?" Although he has been a regular on the podium, the 20-year old star has yet to win a race in the Championship......... read more >> Rain puts the dampers on Jonny's title bid | 29/09/08 Jonny's hopes of winning the British Super 1 Championship disappeared in the murk and gloom of a sodden Whilton Mill (31 August). With memories of his double-podium success at the series' previous round at Larkhall (17 August) still fresh, he had travelled to the picturesque Northamptonshire track looking for a repeat performance. Having not raced there for several years, Jonathan found himself having to learn the racing-lines around the flowing but bumpy circuit during Saturday testing. But this proved worthless on race day, as rain began to fall. "I'd learnt the ......... read more >> Jonny does the double at Larkhall | 22/08/08 Jonathan completed his second double podium of the season - and moved into 2nd place in the British Super 1 Championship - at Larkhall in Lanarkshire, last Sunday (17 August). His 2nd and 3rd places were also the perfect present to himself, as he celebrated his 20th birthday on race day. However, he faced a stern challenge after Timed Qualifying - "I was quickest in the warm-up, but could only go 6th quickest in Qualifying," Jonathan said. With the rapidly changing weather playing havoc with the teams' kart set-ups, Jonny found that it had wrong-footed his......... read more >> Up with the Larkhall | 15/08/08 Jonny aims to fly in Scotland The British Super 1 Kart Championship returns to Larkhall in Lanarkshire this weekend (16/17 August) - and the Scottish circuit holds happy memories for Jonathan Walker. Last year the 19-year old won both finals and set the fastest lap of the day. Unsurprisingly, he wants to repeat that performance and close the gap on series leader, Mark Litchfield. With three races to go, the AMT Racing driver is just 29 points behind three-time British Champion Litchfield in the standings, and is confident that he can win again on the fast, flowing........ read more >> "Never mind the hot dogs, I wanna be top dog!" | 31/07/08 The trackside café at Braga, in Portugal is renowned for its hot dogs, topped - somewhat bizarrely - with crushed crisps. Jonathan Walker shudders at the memory - and is keener to talk about the on-track action rather than that in the kitchen. "I'm looking forward to the weekend. I know the track quite well and I think I should be okay. I'm aiming for a top 15, which would be a good achievement for my first year in KF1." He added, "It's a good circuit with different gradients, a really good chicane - which you have to get right - and some tricky hairpins........ read more >> Jonny's had his chips in Belgium | 21/07/08 Great performance in European Championship ends in upset There's an old joke that goes, 'I broke down on the way here. Dunno why - but I just started crying.' After his experience at the 2nd round of the European Kart Championships, Jonathan would certainly appreciate the punch-line. He had gone to Mariembourg in Belgium with realistic hopes of success, saying beforehand: "I'd like to be in the mix and make it into the top 15. That'll give me fairly good grid slots for the heats, and if I can finish well - in the top ten - then I'll make the cut for the main finals"........ read more >> Jonny scores a boatload of points in Lakes | 16/06/08 Podium double moves him into Championship contention Jonathan Walker's two second-place finishes in the 3rd round of the British Super 1 kart Championship at Rowrah in the Lake District (14/15 June), have moved him into 4th place in the title hunt. The 19-year old had gone into the weekend well prepared, after spending several days testing at the Cumbrian track. However, Jonathan felt that his kart's handling could have been better during Timed Qualifying. He said, "I couldn't get the kart to 'come on' in the allocated time. It was taking about eight laps for the chassis........ read more >> Jonny aims to conquer twists and turns of Rowrah | 13/06/08 Success on the demanding Cumbrian track is vital for Jonathan's Championship chances. This weekend (14/15 June) sees Jonny bidding to take the advantage in the British Super 1 Championship at Rowrah in Cumbria. At the previous round at PFi, Jonny took a vital 3rd place to put him 6th overall in the Championship points. After rigorous testing at Rowrah - sited in a former open-cast quarry - Jonathan believes that he's in great shape to take his first win of the season. "Testing's gone well, and I'm confident that I'll be up there come Sunday. I'll be giving it a damn........ read more >> Jonny delighted with podium | 21/05/08 Jonathan was delighted - if a little surprised - to finish 3rd at last Sunday's (18 May) second round of the British Super 1 kart Championship. He had put in a storming drive in the second of the day's two finals to finish in 4th place - but a driver's disqualification from 2nd place moved him into a trophy-winning position. "I couldn't ask for any more really" he said, reflecting on the fact that he'd previously stated that he needed a podium finish to kick-start his title ambitions, after a disastrous first round of the UK's premier karting Championship - "Beforehand I did say........ read more >> Championship begins this weekend for Walker | 17/05/08 Jonathan is hoping for a turnaround in his fortunes at PFi, in the second round of the British Super 1 Championship. The AMT driver admits that the Lincolnshire circuit is one of the toughest to get a result at - but is aiming for a podium nevertheless. And he has reason to be confident, as last year he finished in a well-deserved 2nd place to 3-time British Champion, Mark Litchfield. "PF's one of the hardest tracks on the calendar because everyone tests there and they go well in the racing as a result. I tested there recently and was bang on the pace - one of the quickest....... read more >> Jonathan optimistic despite difficult start to Euro Champs | 06/05/08 Jonathan endured a tough start to his bid for European Championship glory at last weekend's (3/4 May) opening round of the European Kart Championship at Angerville in France. The PDB racing star was hampered by ruptured tendons in his hand, sustained after a high-speed accident during testing for the British Super 1 Championship (12/13 April). In Timed Qualifying, Jonny could only record the 34th fastest time - barely 8 tenths of a second off the pole time. In his first heat, Jonathan started from 21st place on the grid and clawed his way up to 16th at the finish ........ read more >> Walker vows to bounce back | 17/04/08 Jonathan has vowed to put his frustrating start to the domestic kart racing season behind him, and return to form at the first round of the European Championship at Angerville, France (26 /27 April 2008). The 19-year old crashed heavily during testing ahead of the first round of the Super 1 Championship, spraining his wrist, which then plagued him for the remainder of the weekend. The Three Sisters circuit at Wigan leaves little room for error. Unfortunately, with the meeting hit by sudden and frequent rain showers, judging where the grip was became........ read more >> 3rd place launches Jonathan's title assaul | 01/04/08 Jonathan scored a creditable 3rd place at last weekend's (29/30 March) British Open Championship at the Three Sisters circuit, near Wigan and said: "This is just the start". The 'O Plate' - as the event is known, after the number plate bearing an 'O' is awarded to the winner - is one of British karting's most prestigious titles, and is renowned for the winner-takes-all nature of the driving. Jonathan's weekend started reasonably enough, when in Timed Qualifying, he posted the 5th fastest time. "We could've gone quicker, but didn't" he said somewhat........ read more >> Jonny's back in action | 13/03/08 The wait is almost over. After a winter of testing, fitness training and performing PR duties for the sponsors - the world's best drivers are back in action on 15/16 March. We're not talking about F1 but the WSK (Winning Series Karting) Championship, which kicks off at the superb La Conca circuit in Puglia, Italy. And Jonathan will be in the thick of the action. "This is the first time that I've competed in the WSK Championship and I've got to be realistic about my chances", he says. "All the big teams will be there and they've entered their best drivers - people like ........ read more >> Jonathan returns to racing - and the podium… | 25/01/08 J"That wasn't too bad was it?" That was Jonathan's typically understated summary of his return to the podium, at last weekend's (19-20 January) third round of the Association of British Kart Clubs' Winter Series. The Blackburn driver's achievement at the PFi circuit in Lincolnshire - finishing 2nd behind three time British kart champion, Mark Litchfield - was all the more impressive considering he'd not even sat in a kart for over two months, "I found it hard at the start of the weekend, but then got it together for the final." Under skies greyer than the PFi tarmac ........ read more >> Getting down with Jonathan Walker | 14/01/08 Ever though you knew Jonathan Walker, well we caught up with him and got down to those questions everyone likes to hear about! PERSONAL STATS Full name - Jonathan Walker Lives - Ribchester, near Blackburn, Lancashire D.O.B - 17/8/1988 Occupation - Racing Driver KARTING STUFF When and how did you first get into in karting? - I was 9 and Dad bought me a Cadet kart to have a go with. I liked it so much that I soon started to race at Three Sisters, near Wigan. What do you find so exciting about it? - The buzz, when you're going into........ read more >> Jonny's in a spin | 10/01/08 Jonny has signed with Britain's leading motorsport PR, Marketing and Driver Management agency - 100cc PR. He says: 'I was looking to create more awareness about what I do, both at home and abroad and let everybody know what I've been up to both on, and off the track. Having seen what the guys at 100cc PR have done for other karters, I know they can help me achieve that.' 100cc PR also looks after several of Europe's other leading drivers other karters, as well teams and product manufacturers. Owner of 100cc, Adam........ read more >> Walker re-signs with PDB for '08 | 01/01/08 After a First good year with World Championship winning team P.D.B Racing Team Jonathan Has re-signed for 2008. He will Be Competing in the World, European and WSK Championships in KF1 which will take him all around the world. "I am very delighted to have re-signed for P.D.B Racing Team for my second season in KF1, hopefully will go on to win some races. Jonathan will be also Competing in the MSA British Championship with AMT Racing using the Gillard kart Powered by IAME. " I'm looking to be fighting for the Championship this year......... read more >>