Emily Duggan says racing her SmartFuels2Race/Surelinc Group Hyundai Excel in the Series X3 support races at this weekend’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour will be an exciting way to finish her time in the category.
Duggan has announced the Bathurst meeting will be her last in the Excel, but the competitive female racer is determined to exit the series on a high note.
“The Excel Series was my first foray into racing and it was the category that made me fall in love with motorsport, but I won’t be thinking about the memories this weekend – I will be concentrating on my on-track performance,” Duggan said.
One ace up Duggan’s sleeve is her recent experience driving around Mount Panorama in an Excel – she participated in the Challenge Bathurst event last November, recording a 2:58.9 lap time: the fastest ever for an Excel around the world-famous circuit.
“During the last couple of years, the Excel Series has boomed nationally and the drivers at the front end of the field are at an extremely high standard, as we saw from their times in the Excel Nationals at Wakefield Park last year,” Duggan said.
“Because it has become so competitive, all the drivers are searching for tiny advantages to give them an edge over their opposition, so I’m hoping the track time we accumulated at Challenge Bathurst will be a benefit.
“I’m not expecting it to be easy though – naturally, it’s an event that has attracted some of the best Excel racers from interstate so the competition will be fierce.”
Duggan has also welcomed a new sponsor on board for the Bathurst event – Surelinc Group, which provides services to the industrial and domestic sectors including fire protection, air conditioning and electrical maintenance.
“It’s always pleasing to introduce a new sponsor to motorsport, and I’m thankful to have the support of Surelinc Group this weekend,” Duggan said.
“I’ve loved my time in the Excel category – it has taught me so many valuable lessons about race-craft, which will serve me well as I head into the next phase of my motorsport career,” Duggan concluded.
Series X3 Bathurst – Event Schedule
Friday, 30 March
11:35 – Practice 1 (20 min)
16:40 – Qualifying (20 min)
Saturday, 31 March
12:10 – Race 1 (6 laps)
17:00 – Race 2 (6 laps)
Sunday, 1 April
9:15 – Race 3 (6 laps)
