Originally from Rochester, New York, James Walker, Jr. is a licensed Professional Engineer at Carr Engineering, Inc. Currently residing in The Woodlands, Texas, he brings 30 years of real-world experience to his analyses of vehicle dynamics and the reconstruction of motor vehicle crashes.
James graduated from GMI Engineering and Management Institute in 1994 with a degree in automotive mechanical engineering, and subsequently advanced his career through a combination of engineering and management positions at Kelsey-Hayes, Saturn, Bosch, Ford, and Delphi. Along the way, he accrued first-hand experience in the specification, design, calibration, and testing of state-of-the-art electronic brake control systems including anti-lock braking systems, traction control systems, and electronic stability control.
Following his passion for auto racing, James created scR motorsports in 1997. He competed for seven successful years in the Sports Car Club of America’s SSC and ITA categories. In 2004, his growing family shifted his on-track focus to high-performance driving instruction with the Porsche Club of America, but there was still time along the way for the occasional ChumpCar race or two behind the wheel of a Saturn SC2.
In 2017 he joined ranks with the team at Risi Competizione for two years of competition in the North American Ferrari Challenge 458 Championship. Continuing with the team at Risi, he next moved to the popular TCR category in 2019 to pursue the TC America Championship behind the wheel of an Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
The 2020 and 2021 seasons brought yet another new challenge, as James partnered for the first time with BimmerWorld Racing and Bill Auberlen in pursuit of the GT4 SprintX Pro-Am Championship. For his third run at the Championship in 2022, James was paired with Devin Jones. The 2023 season brought even more change with James sharing a brand-new second-generation BMW M4 GT4 racecar with co-driver Tyler McQuarrie. Narrowly missing the 2023 Championship by one point was evidence of their potential, and in 2024 are committed to reaching the top step of the year-end podium.
In parallel with the evolution of scR motorsports, James has actively served as an industry advisor to Kettering University in the fields of brake system design, vehicle dynamics, and brake control systems. In addition, since 2001 he has served as a brake control system consultant for StopTech, a manufacturer of high-performance brake systems. He authored High-Performance Brake Systems: Design, Selection, and Installation in 2007, and continues to be extensively published in the areas of brake system design, analysis, and modification for racing applications.
In 2004, SAE International provided James with the unique opportunity to combine his day-job knowledge of vehicle dynamics with his on-track experience in auto racing. In cooperation with SAE, James created three award-winning Professional Development seminars focusing on brake control systems, vehicle dynamics, and brake system design. These efforts were recognized by his peers in 2005, when he was presented with SAE’s own Forest R. McFarland Award for distinction in professional development and education. In 2010, James earned SAE’s first “Master Instructor” designation, and in 2015 his Applied Vehicle Dynamics seminar was awarded IACET’s prestigious “Innovation of the Year Award for Learner Engagement.”
