CHRISTIE DORAN races for Slidesports Race Engineering in the VAG Trophy.
The Scot got into motorsport after Ginetta set her a challenge to learn how to drive from scratch in just seven months when she was just 15. She passed the test and came 13th out of 15 in the British Ginetta Juniors at Knockhill.
Other challenges followed. Despite having never done any karting, she came second in class in her first full Scottish series – driving a Triumph TR8 in the Classics.
Then she tried the BMW Compact Cup before tackling her first UK series last year. She came fourth in class in the VAG Trophy and is now back for a tilt at the title.
Christie has joined Girl Racer as a columnist to give an insight into how the season is panning out….
YOU know you are committing to a LOT of travel if you are Scottish and you sign up to a UK racing series.
The nearest track this year has been more than a three-hour drive and it seems weird to call Oulton Park your “home” round.
We have certainly clocked up the miles so I have to be really grateful to my friends, Alister, Emma and Jamie, who have travelled across the country to support me.
Last year was a learning year – a new team, new car and new tracks. We made steady progress and finished the season on a high with two podiums in the rain at Oulton.
But I knew this year was a big one. I had to show my potential and turn it into results. Of course we wanted the Class B title in the VAG Trophy but that included some drivers with way more experience than me. It was a tough ask but we had a real go.
In the end I had to settle for third place but the front two – champion Simon Tomlinson and Barrie Cullley – certainly know I am there and that I am a real threat.
We ended the season with three wins, 12 podiums and five fastest laps. We ended the season at Castle Combe with the perfect weekend – class pole position, two race wins and two fastest laps. But what pleased me even more was the way I drove, especially in changing conditions during qualifying.
My team, Slidesports Race Engineering, are used to winning, but boss Mark Jenkins bought into a longer term project with me. I am delighted to have repaid his faith by starting to rack up those wins.
As always the season had massive highs and lows. We started at Oulton on the Fosters layout and came away with a second and third place. But we were not as quick as we wanted.
Donington was to be a turning point even if it had one of the big lows. We changed a few things and Mark worked so hard with me. The result was that I found some great pace. I blitzed last year’s times but a DNF when I went off avoiding a spinning car cost me vital points.
However, I knew we were going in the right direction. Brands Indy last year was a nightmare. I couldn’t get it right. This year I got fastest lap and more podiums. But there was another low. I had led one race for so long but a red flag meant a restart and I broke the driveshaft. I had been so close to my first win and the chance had gone.
Brands GP was a challenge because the first time I drove it was in qualifying. I had spent time in the Strakka Racing simulator and that paid off. Two third places were a decent return.
Slidesports and I still wanted more, but Snetterton had not been a happy hunting ground for me. I was on it. I carved seconds off my best lap, came third in race one then won the second one. We had done it.
Oulton GP was another mix. I came third with my first top ten finish overall. The reverse grid put me on pole and I led the race for ages but over-heated the Golf behind the safety car. Another chance had gone begging.
So I needed to bounce back. Castle Combe is fast and unforgiving. I qualified on class pole and seventh overall. I won the first race by 25 seconds and eased to another win in race two. The perfect end to the season. Now let’s see where 2017 takes us. By Christine Doran
