Written by:
Kevin Krefting
Limoges will have a new teammate beginning with the Laguna Seca race. (LAT Photo)
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Travis Walker has signed with Blackforest Motorsports to co-drive the No. 4 USG Sheetrock/Ramset Tools Ford Mustang FR500C with fellow Canadian Valerie Limoges for the remainder of the 2007 Grand-Am KONI Challenge season. Walker has raced in the KONI ST class since 2005 and made one start with Blackforest in the 2006 season finale at Virginia International Raceway. The two-year association is expected to also see the Mississauga, Ontario native gain experience in the Blackforest Ford Mustang GT Rolex Series machine.
"This is the opportunity I have been working toward and looking for," said Walker. "Tom (Nastasi) approached me and I am really excited about racing with Blackforest to reach my full potential on and off the track. It will be a bit of a learning curve, going from a front wheel drive car to a rear-wheel drive car that has twice the power, but I am excited about making the step up. I know it might take a little bit of time to develop but I know I'll be able to show my natural speed in the Mustang."
Limoges, who scored pole position in the Homestead round and led most of the race before a poorly timed yellow flag kept her from converting the pole into her first victory, has teamed with Walker before stepping up to race in the KONI Series.
"I first heard of Valerie when I was racing karts but I never got to know her until we were teammates in the Hankook Series," said Walker. "She's had a great season this year but I know she is still looking to get on that podium and hopefully we can do that soon."
"It's always good to be sharing a car with someone you already have good communication with," said Limoges. "I've known Travis for quite some time and I think we will be very competitive."
Walker and Limoges will team for the next round of KONI Challenge competition at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on May 17-20. Walker led much of the ST class race in 2006, and Limoges took her best KONI result to date when the Series raced there last season.
With three wins from three races to open the 2007 season, Tom Nastasi leads the KONI Challenge championship points standings.
