JAMES WALKER finished his British International Formula 3 season at Silverstone yesterday with a solid seventh place – and then vowed to put Jersey on the international motor racing map next year.

That could mean a switch from his current Fortec team in a bid to find a faster and more reliable car – although Fortec are set to replace their cars’ Opel-based engines for Mercedes next term, which could meet Walker’s requirements.

After being third fastest in testing on Friday Walker was disappointed to qualify only ninth for race one after car problems.

He had a good start and worked his way to seventh before becoming the victim of two separate incidents.

Starting race two in tenth he got away well again, was ninth by the first corner and finished the first lap by taking seventh place from Stephen Kane, a winner at the previous meeting, with an assertive manoeuvre.

Afterwards Walker said: ‘We didn’t have the quickest engine this season, so it was even more pleasing to take a win at the Nurburgring in Germany in September.

‘It showed that with the right equipment I can definitely get the job done and can challenge for the championship.

Now the task is to find the right situation for next season and to raise the budget necessary.

‘My aim is to be in a position to go for the championship – and to put Jersey on the international motor sport map.’ More immediately Walker has to find sponsorship – a season in F3 is expensive at around £400,000.

This year he has been supported by a group of businessmen based in Jersey – where he was born and still lives when he’s not racing – including ex-Grand Prix driver Derek Warwick, who has a Honda dealership.

His other backers are CI Traders, Carrefour Health and Fitness, ASL Financial and Commercial Services and Headley Stud.

Said Walker’s publicity agent Mark Carbery: ‘We’ve been fortunate with our sponsors so far.

James is very good – he’s one of only five of the 26 drivers in the series who has won a race – but we need more cash to take him further.