WEST Wickham racer Gary Duckman grabbed two second places at Oulton Park, overcoming braking problems to take an early overall lead in the Dunlop production touring car championship.

The Saturday qualifier saw the 39-year-old take second place on the grid in his Seat Leon, only seven tenths of a second behind Joe Girling in his Astra VXR.

In race one, Duckman had last year's championship winner Adrian Churchill starting behind him in third and his own team-mate Luke Caudle in fourth place on the grid.

The West Wickham ace made a good start by staying in second, but lost a huge amount of time up the hill to the chicane, so he concentrated on protecting his position as it was clear Girling was too quick to be caught.

However, after the race, the eligibility scruitineers deemed Girling’s car to be over the power to weight restrictions, so this result is provisional pending further investigation before the next event.

Girling was ruled out in race 2 because of his damaged gearbox, which gave Duckman a clear run to the first corner with Caudle behind.

But soon he was beset by braking problems, an issue he had to nurse for the rest of the race.

Caudle overshot at a corner, giving ex-Touring Car racer Martin Johnson second place.

Sensing Duckman was in trouble, Johnson then grabbed the lead only to suffer brake problems of his own.

Duckman tried all he could to out-brake Johnson, but finished within two tenths of a second behind him in a tight finish.

For more information on Duckman’s season, visit cup1.co.uk

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