James Walker in action

JAMES WALKER’S Le Mans weekend was certainly a memorable one … but not for the right reasons as he slipped to third in the Formula Renault 3.5 championship title race.

A trip to hospital before testing was followed by a double collision which ended his interest in race one – that after doing superbly well to qualify in second. Then followed a ninth-place finish in race two yesterday, a late spin ruining an excellent start.

Bertrand Baguette won both races this weekend so he now leads the Championship. Marcos Martinez is in second, with Walker now close behind in third. ‘I need to close the gap again now,’ said Walker. ‘I’ve done it before though and I’ll do it again. Considering how much pain I was in at the start of the weekend I’m glad to salvage a few points.’

It was also a disappointing weekend for the second Jersey-based driver in the series, Greg Mansell. The 21-year-old son of former Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell finished 12th in the first race and was forced out of the second after being shunted from behind by the second-placed driver in the championship, Marcos Martinez. Mansell injured his wrist in the collision and was due to visit a specialist in Jersey today.