Q&A: Barry Walsh - EXCLUSIVE.

by Russell Atkins

Ultimate Motorsport may be the newest kid on the British F3 grid, but for team owner and former driver Barry Walsh it is the realisation of a dream, and one that he is desperately keen to turn into a successful reality.

The former Junior Irish Champion and, more recently, Formula Palmer Audi ace has relinquished his role behind the wheel to take the reins of his own outfit, and though it is a bold move he is convinced it is one that will pay off. Here he tells us why Ultimate is not the kind of sqaud that will be content simply to make up the numbers...

Q:
Barry, this must be a very proud moment for you?

Barry Walsh:
It is a very proud moment, and it couldn't have taken place in a more prestigious location than in the BRDC Suite, the Home of British Motorsport. We are very proud to be here.

Q:
The whole package has come together remarkably quickly, hasn't it? How much hard work has gone on in that short space of time?

BW:
It's been a huge effort - there wasn't much of a Christmas last year because everybody had to work through it! Everyone in the team has put in a massive amount of hours just to get the car ready and here. The timescale of everything has involved a serious amount of pushing to get it all ready.

Q:
For such a young team, though, you've got a wealth of experience and expertise in the workforce haven't you?

BW:
That's the main thing we set out to do. We knew we had to get the right people around us. We had a lot of people approach us wanting to come on-board and we have had to be meticulous with those we have chosen. I'm quite happy with the people we have got. The only way we are going to do this is by having experience.

Q:
How much of a challenge are you expecting to face in 2007?

BW:
It's a huge challenge. Dallara is very established; the other teams are all very established. They know all the data and set-ups, but we are here to fight, not to be just another Dallara team. That would be the easy route. That's not what we are here for. If we can prove ourselves by developing a car and launching a new team it speaks volumes and will stand us in good stead for the future.

Q:
You have gone with Mygale on the chassis front. How much of a geographical challenge is that proving to be given they are based in France?

BW:
We have had our issues. Magny-Cours isn't the easiest place in the world to get to, but we have video-conferencing which we are working hard at. The guys at Mygale are putting in a huge effort to deliver the modifications and development parts that we are trying out all the time, but that's just part-and-parcel of what we are here to do.

Q:
As you say, Dallara has ruled the roost in F3 for such a long time. Other manufacturers have tried and failed to get the better of them; what makes you think Mygale can take them on and win?

BW:
If you look at the cars Mygale have produced, they have all been of a very high standard. They have had great success in every formula they have entered into. Just looking at the car aero-wise, it's so far advanced compared to the Dallara, which speaks volumes in itself. The quality of their work is superb. We have the right engine in the back too in the Mercedes, which is very strong. We have the right engineers and we feel we can develop the car to challenge Dallara.

Q:
How has initial testing gone so far?

BW:
Testing has been very good. We've been the quickest in the wet. We tested before Christmas with Fabio Carbone at Lurcy-Levis and we were quicker than Signature on the same day. We tested at Pembrey too, and though in the dry we didn't get Esteban (Guerrieri) out on new tyres we had Maro Engel testing for us there as well and what we found was that the springs we were running on the car were too soft, so we are now doing a lot of dyno work to bring it up to where we need to be.

Q:
You talked about Esteban. He is Ultimate's only confirmed driver so far and he has a lot of experience in both F3 and F3000. What do you expect of him in 2007?

BW:
Esteban is the whole package. He is motivated, very focussed, very fit and a great development driver too. He gives the engineers the feedback they need to push the car on, and we definitely expect him to be winning races before the season is out.

Q:
How close are you now to making a decision regarding your second driver? You have Ben Clucas testing for you and, as you said, previously ran Maro Engel...

BW:
Ben will be driving on Thursday (1 March). We do have another driver in the frame, and we will make our final decision out of the two of them within the next fortnight.

Q:
Looking at the year as a whole, what are your aims and expectations for Ultimate Motorsport?

BW:
As a team, that we can prove ourselves capable of delivering with a car that is hitherto unknown, and our realistic goal is to get some podiums.

Q:
And can Ultimate win a race in their maiden campaign?

BW:
I think so, yes. Absolutely. Otherwise we would not be here.