VAG Trophy ace Christie Doran has vowed to end her season on a high after a dramatic double podium at Thruxton.
The young Scot was visiting the Hampshire circuit for the first time but has a history of doing well on fast-flowing tracks and she put some early-season misfortune behind her with two powerful drives to take two second places in the B Class.
Now she wants to repeat the feat or go even better in the final round at Oulton Park next month. She said: “The results really boosted my confidence and the next round is Oulton where I have had some success in the past. We had some bad luck at Rockingham and Brands so this has lifted the mood. It would be good to finish the season her more podiums – or even a win.”
Christie, from Falkirk, loved the speed challenge. She added: “I always like going to a new circuit. Thruxton is not on any game so we had limited preparation. It was obvious the track was very fast and you needed to be brave and commit to the corners.
“We had a few slight issues in testing that restricted our running a little bit, but Slidesports are great at sorting them out and giving you confidence in the car. We finished the day with some promising times but with the knowledge that there was plenty more to come.
“Qualifying was all about determination. I thought I was doing OK then saw I was P4 with just a few minutes to go. That wasn’t part of the plan but I hooked up a great lap to take P2 at the death. That also boosted my confidence.”
The usual fast starter found herself blocked in at the start of race one and newcomer Scott Fletcher got past, but she said: “He got a clear run so was past me and away. I was determined to close the gap. I was able to catch him at Goodwood then made the move. It was nice and clean and I built a gap although I couldn’t do anything about Martyn Culley out in front.
“I felt it was all fairly comfortable but then someone had a blow-out at Church and there was debris all over the track. I came flying round and that was a pretty scary moment. It was no surprise to see a red flag. I would have liked to see the end of the race, but I was glad to get my best result of the season.
“Martyn continued his form in race two, so the big battle was between me and Barrie Culley. I opened a gap then Barrie closed it down. I had to fight really hard but it was really good fun. Then we saw a load of cars off at Campbell and blue lights flashing. I was just glad that I could see drivers getting out of the cars – especially as two of them were my Slidesports team-mates. I braked for the safety car but then the red flags came out and I had just held Barrie off.
“It was a good week. My best points haul of the season was the icing on the cake after agreeing a deal with the Edinburgh Watch Company. Me and the team had been joking about how we needed tenths of a second so should get a watch sponsor, so I was delighted when they agreed to support me for the rest of the year.
“They buy and sell unworn and pre-owned luxury watches and there was plenty of interest from drivers in the paddock. I think the Edinburgh Watch Company website will be getting a fair few hits this week.” By Alister Johnstone
