JERSEY’S James Walker goes into the first race meeting of the British International Formula 3 Championship season this weekend hoping it will kick-start a challenge for the 2006 title.

I’m definitely in the best shape I’ve been in going into a season,’ said Walker earlier this week.

‘We’ve been quick in pre-season testing everywhere, and I’ve set my best ever lap at the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit – almost a second under the pole position time for last year’s race there.

I’m with a great team and have Mercedes engines, which are the best out there.

Now I’m looking forward to getting the season proper under way.’ The former Victoria College pupil is not worried about the disappointing result he had last weekend in Germany in the first round of the European Formula 3 championship, which he took part in as a warm-up exercise.

‘Our pace was good but in the first race the fire extinguisher went off in my face and I had a to retire and start the second race from the back.

I made up seven places on the first lap but was hit by another car a few laps later and again had to retire.

Hopefully that’s my quota of bad luck for now and it won’t happen when it matters this weekend.’ The opening rounds of the British International Formula 3 series are at Oulton Park in Cheshire on Easter Monday.

The championship then takes in races all over the UK and in Ireland, France, Belgium and Italy, concluding in October.