Duncan Tappy stars on inaugural Superleague Formula podium for Spurs • Duncan Tappy Racing

Superleague Formula – Donington, UK

Race 1: Qualified 8th, Finished 3rd
Race 2: Reverse grid start position 15th, Finished 5th

After a late call-up to the Spurs squad for the new Superleague Formula, Duncan appeared on the track at Donington – rather than on the White Hart Lane pitch.

The championship brings together soccer and motorsport in the style of football’s Champions League with drivers representing teams in identical 750 bhp-single-seater cars and Donington Park hosted its first event this weekend.

Qualifying went well for Duncan with him finishing in the top eight which put him into the quarter finals. In the two car shoot out he was pipped by just two tenths of a second and so started race one eighth.

From the race one rolling start Duncan charged through the pack at the start and following a move on PSV Eindhoven (Yelmer Buurman) he crossed the line at the end of the first lap in fourth. He drove well staying ahead of Eindhoven despite Buurman pushing hard. A gearbox problem for Sevilla FC (Borja Garcia) meant that Duncan moved into third place which he maintained to the finish of the 28 lap race claiming Tottenham Hotspur’s first points and trophy.

Race two was altogether different but still resulted in valuable points. Rain had set in and conditions were treacherous. At the end of the first lap Duncan was up to ninth but casualties were falling thick and fast as the spray hampered visibility and cars aquaplaned on the standing water. His strategy to not push too hard and stay on the track worked and after 42 hard minutes he crossed the line in fifth.

Tottenham Hotspur now has 72 points and lies second in the championship.

Duncan said: “It’s all a bit of a fairy tale at the moment. To have only been asked to drive on Wednesday and be on the podium here today is amazing. In race one I took my first rolling start since my karting days but I judged it and stayed on the outside and picked a few off. Then I just out-braked Eindhoven going into the hairpin. It was an incredible first lap and we had the pace to stay there.

“The second race was the opposite. I couldn’t see a thing in front of me and that was the story of the race. The car was quick enough to do well but it just got to the stage where I knew I needed to stay on the track and if I did that I’d get a decent finish.

“I came here wanting to do a sensible job and finish both races and we’ve exceeded that. To be second in the points is fantastic and I need to say a big thank you to at Tottenham Hotspur for giving me this chance.”

Paul Barber, Executive Director Tottenham Hotspur, added: “It’s been a great weekend with a third and a fifth. Duncan’s driven really well. I’m pleased that he’s fitted into the team so well and we’re delighted with the results.”

Race 1 results: