The learning experience continues – in more of a ‘crash course’ style – but not literally.

Knockhill was one of the few circuits that Duncan has been unable to test at before the event, so he was already facing a major disadvantage over his rivals who had all raced there before.

His troubles were exacerbated when valuable practice time was halved when a gear-linkage problem sidelined him for the second session. Going into qualifying with only 15 laps of running was going to be a challenge, but with no dry running at all it was always going to be a tall order and the two sixth places were probably a good result under the circumstances.

The first race was another wet race for Duncan, the water sending Rob Sunderland into a spin, moving Duncan into fifth from where he reeled-in and then passed Joe Tanner. From fourth Duncan was then in position for a good battle with Darwin Smith. For three laps Smith defended, but Duncan managed to get by to take another podium.

“I got an OK start – didn’t lose or gain any places and at the start I was bedding in my new wet tyres. The best battle was with Darwin Smith. I was pushing him hard and eventually threw him a dummy and got passed.”

Race Two was dry and Duncan found it much better for keeping pace with the leaders. He held his sixth place for the first lap to the last corner – a hairpin – and pulled a brave move to leap into third position. For four laps he was defending as Rob Sunderland was challenging, but after contact Sunderland was sidelined with a puncture.

“That was much better – the first lap was the usual single file stuff – then on the hairpin I saw everyone going on the inside and I just out-braked them to go round the outside straight from sixth to third.

“My pace was much closer to Joe (D’Agostino) which is good, I’ve moved up the Championship table, and my goal now is to get up onto a higher step of the podium. The Team, Jamun and my sponsors Hare Construction and McGee have been brilliant and I really want to get more for them.”

•   Filed under: Formula Ford
•   Tagged as: Knockhill, podium finishes, Team Jamun