There have been two paddock encounters between the DSC Ed and Sean Walkinshaw in recent days, first at Paul Ricard for the Blancpain GT test days where the Scot was unveiled (not literally!) as the latest NISMO Athlete, joining the two-car Team RJN effort for the Series aboard a Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 and then on Tuesday at a freezing cold Snetterton with his own team of Formula 4 single seaters, a trio of cars for the 2016 season.
“It’s a good business, very solid, and certainly capable of expansion if the season continues as well as it has started.”
The series supports the British GT Championship this season so Sean won’t be far away from the GT racing action whichever weekend he’s at the circuits!
His programme takes in both the Endurance Cup (in Pro-Am) and Sprint Cup (Silver Cup) for 2016 after a 2015 season with MRS-GT that saw him combine very well indeed with season team-mate Craig Dolby but all too often see time made up on track evaporate in the earlier part of the season with poor pit work from the team.
That was improved later in the year when Always Evolving Motorsport took over the reins, the experienced US-based crew proving much sharper.
“I know the car very well and, of course, we were watching RJN all through last season so I know how strong they are. As a team, and as a factory effort with the GT Academy boys it has been an amazing story, and they have shown great form.
Since arriving here I’ve been made to feel very welcome indeed, it’s a great atmosphere, a real family run team with Bob and Liz (Neville) but really very professional indeed.
“As for the car, it’s very familiar of course after last year, the only differences are some set-up changes so nothing I’ve had to adapt to.
“I think we’ve got a really good chance in both the Endurance Cup and Sprint Cup and they should be fantastic championships with the huge grids they’ve announced”, said Sean, “Having 38 cars in the Sprint Cup is going to mean a lot of action in those short format races, hopefully it won’t mean too many Safety Cars at Misano!”
Sean is paired with GT Academy winner Ricardo Sanchez for the Sprint Cup and with 2015 Academy victors Romain Sarazin and Matt Simmons in the Endurance rounds.
