Supercars next step on Callum Walker’s miraculous motorsport journey

The Dunlop Super 2 Supercars Series is the next step on Callum Walker’s motorsport journey – the fact he can walk into the Thrifty Newcastle 500 this weekend is a miracle in itself.

24-year-old Walker moved from karts to Sprintcars at the age of 16 and brought some success, however two spine-busting crashes saw him, in total, break five separate vertebrae through the incidents spanning three years apart (the human body has 33 vertebrae in total).

Subjecting himself to this again was not an option – hence starting Australia’s newest Supercars team – Walker Racing, based out of Brisbane.

“I had two big accidents and twice broke my back – five vertebrae in all. I wasn’t prepared for round three,” said Callum Walker. “That motivated the decision to go circuit racing and we arrived at the Dunlop Super 2 Series.

“This weekend is our first weekend at Newcastle – we literally picked the car up last Monday and my first time sitting in a Supercar was Tuesday at Queensland Raceway.”
Callum is a third generation racer with his father and grandfather both racing speedway in a legacy spanning 50 years. Walker began his racing career in motocross at six before moving to karts – where he got as high second in Australia and raced internationally before moving to Sprintcars.

Walker Racing has come to a lease agreement with PremiAir Racing to take on the Triple Eight Race Engineering built car that Jimmy Golding and Garry Jacobson drove to 12 top 15 finishes in the Repco Supercars Championship last year – of which six of those were in the top 10.

The team is based out of its workshop in Slacks Creek, south of Brisbane.

“The process dealing with Matt Cook and the team at PremiAir has been terrific, they’ve been incredibly helpful and the car has been fully refurbished,” the Queenslander added. “It produced some great results last year and has the Triple Eight-built technical knowhow, so we’re comfortable with the machinery and using it for our learning year.”

Walker is under no illusions as to the enormity of the challenge he faces this weekend.

“We’re looking to get through Newcastle unscathed then head over to Perth for the second round where we should be in better shape,” added Walker.

“Aside from karts, I’ve done no circuit racing, so for sure, heading to a narrow street track like Newcastle is a vertical learning curve, it’s huge.

“We’re not going there to be setting lap records – for our team it is an opportunity to get accustomed with the systems and how everything works – not just on track, but with Supercars and what is required of Walker Racing as a team.”

Engineering Walker Racing’s effort will be Nick Ashwin. Ashwin brings two decades of international motorsport experience, including international rallying with the likes of Possum Bourne Motorsport; Australia’s former WRC competitor, Chris Atkinson; Suzuki Sport Japan and locally with Neal Lowe Motorsport.

“Nick’s a great addition to our team with his international experience,” explained Walker. “Tapping into that will be helpful to ensure I am moving in the right direction.”

Walker Racing’s first session will be Friday at 10:10am Australian Eastern Daylight Time with the first race being Saturday at 1:50pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time. All sessions will be live on Fox Sports/Kayo with Saturday and Sunday’s races on both Fox Sports/Kayo, Seven Network and 7+. Check local guides.

Walker Racing will have support in Newcastle from Cylinder Head Warehouse, Ascot Demolition, Earthmoving and Civil Contracting, Phantom Performance Parts, Murfett & Whiting Electrical and L.W. Furniture Group.

Callum and the team are in the market for sponsor partners for this season.

ABOUT CALLUM WALKER:

24-year-old Callum Walker comes from a lineage of racers with over 50 years of experience across three generations. He started racing at the age of six in motocross before a successful karting career nationally, getting as high as Australia number two, he also raced internationally. Moving to 900hp Sprintcars at the age of 16 saw success come his way, however his career was curtailed by two nasty back injuries, seeing him break five vertebrae. Dunlop Super 2 is his next step on the motorsport journey.

Callum’s key attributes include his natural humility and easy-going, but confident manner. He’s extremely well spoken and can effortlessly present in a calm, well measured way.

By trade, Callum is a signwriter, running his own business.

THRIFTY NEWCASTLE 500 DUNLOP SUPER 2 SERIES TIMETABLE:
All times AEDT (NSW/VIC/TAS) – subtract 1 hour for Queensland; 30 minutes for SA/NT and 3 hours for WA

Friday, March 10
10:10am-11am Practice 1 (50 minutes)
12:50pm-1:30pm Practice 2 (50 minutes)

Saturday, March 11
10:25am-10:55am Qualifying, Race 1 (30 minutes)
1:50pm-2:20pm Race 1 (21 Laps)

Sunday, March 12
10:25am-10:55am Qualifying, Race 2 (30 minutes)
1:50pm-2:20pm Race 2 (21 Laps)