Duggan passes test

Emily Duggan has only been racing for three years, but she has already made history on the track.

Emily Duggan has only been racing for three years, but she has already made history on the track.

The 23-year-old operations manager, of Dural, won the one-hour McAlister Hyundai endurance race on July 16-17.

The event, held at Wakefield Park near Goulburn, was part of the Series X3 NSW Enduro.

Duggan set the fastest ever lap time for a Hyundai Excel race car, winning by 0.4 of a second.

“There was no more than a second between me and second place throughout the whole race,” she said.

The feat was even more impressive given it was Duggan’s first endurance race and she drove solo.

She said maintaining focus throughout the race was the most important ­aspect of an endurance challenge – as well as ensuring her fitness levels were up to scratch.

“The more tired you are, the less focus you have and that’s where mistakes can be made and positions can be lost,” she said.

Duggan thanked her sponsors Penrite Oil, Winmax brake pads and Supershock suspension for their help in securing her win.

She said crossing the finish line was an “amazing feeling”.

“I’m still smiling, the smile just doesn’t come off the face,” she said.

Duggan has had an excellent year, making history in April as the first female to race in the Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series.

“That was just an experience in itself,” she said.

She has now turned her attention to the next round of Series X3, which will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on August 20.