IMSA: Walker pursuing customers, Falken program continuation

Derrick Walker's factory GT Le Mans program for the American branch of Falken Tire will conclude in October, and with a race-winning assembly of mechanics and engineers in place, the Scot has been pursuing options to keep Walker Racing on the grid next season. His main priority is to secure a full year of running in IMSA's TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, and as he tells RACER, the Indianapolis-based outfit is open to fielding funded drivers and supporting the needs of new sponsors.

"The situation is we're talking on all fronts to potential sponsors and what their needs might be, and those discussions continue," he said. "I am talking to anybody and everybody that has an interest, and want to keep the group together to run something like the current GTLM program or in another class if that's what interests drivers or sponsors who come calling. It would be wonderful to land another factory program for multiple years, but we also have the ability to run private programs for drivers who want a home with a winning team."

Walker's TUDOR Championship program has been one of the star performers against bigger factory efforts, and while Falken Tire is preparing to exit IMSA, Walker says their performances have caught the attention of Falken's parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries.

"The Japanese portion of Falken, a company called SRI that makes all the tires, they have been continuing to show interest in the four long endurance races, and continue to ask questions about that," he revealed. "I'm hopeful they see the value in at least doing that. We've submitted a budget that's as lean and mean as possible, and hopefully that has some legs with the Japanese side, but on the American side, that program is done."

Walker still needs to establish a full-time solution in IMSA, but SRI could become a part-time player in 2016, and if that happens, look for the brand's No. 17 Porsche 911 RSR to appear at the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup rounds. If those plans fall through, Walker says he's inquired about purchasing or leasing the car to run on their own for potential clients and sponsors.

"We've asked about holding onto the car after they're done with it in the off-season, and we think we can offer people a very competitive circumstance if that's possible," he noted. "We've asked what that would take and what they're looking for. That's our first choice. I expect to know by Road Atlanta exactly where we'll be headed, good or bad.

"And we're also open to other cars if that's what people want and need a team like ours to run on their behalf. We have incredible people here and we wouldn't turn anybody away. There are a lot of people spending money who aren't winning, and we like to believe we can be a proven solution for them in whatever class they choose."