World Endurance sports cars, Group C2 & Le-Mans 24hr

World Endurance sports cars, Group C2 & Le-Mans 24hr

1985 - 1986

After a couple of successful track test in 1985, Duncan was signed by the Harrier World Sports Car Group C2 Team. This concept of racing was very new to him, as it was long distance endurance racing, and not the short in comparison sprint races that he had become custom to and the cars were totally enclosed.

Duncan also had to get used to driving the car in 2 hour slots after which he would come into the pits, and a driver change was performed. At the same time the team refueled the car. He accustomed himself very quickly to this style of racing out performing many of the larger funded works teams on numerous occasions.

He completed his 1st 24hr Le-Mans start driving for a period of over 2 hours, before handing over to one of his team mates for their session. At this stage in the race the car was lying 3rd in class. The team went on for another two more driver changes and 8 hours into the race when problems materialised, the car did not make it back to the pits. It was a terminal engine problem and that was the end to his 1st 24hr Le-Mans race.

1986

In 1986, Duncan had began to establish himself as a front running Group C2 driver. He qualified the car on numerous occasions up front with the top Group C2 teams, but always seemed to be let down by his other team drivers.

His 2nd Le-Mans start went well and to plan. He started 40th and by the end of the 1st hour was already up to 28th. By the time Duncan was due to come into pits, after some 2 hours, the team was up to 18th. He got back behind the wheel some 6 hours later at midnight and was now, for the very first time, going to drive at speeds of over 200mph in the dark. After some 2 hours he came in the pits while lying in 17th overall and 1st in class, a truly great achievement. The team went through the night running for 16 hours when something broke on the rear suspension, putting the car out of the race with heavy accident damage.