DURHAM teenager Sean Gaffney secured his first podium place in the UK Formula Ford Championship at Snetterton with a second place finish in the first of two races at the Norfolk circuit.

After a six-week summer break since the last races at Silverstone in August, the teams and drivers reconvened at Snetterton for two days of testing ahead of rounds 17 and 18 of the championship.

Gaffney put in a solid qualifying performance in his Fullspec Solutions - Myerscough College-prepared Van Diemen and started from 12th place in the 21 car field.

He immediately made two places before the first corner but lost them again after missing third gear as the field headed down the Rivett Straight for the first time in the 25-minute race.

By lap four Gaffney had regained the lost places and continued to battle with Norwegian Christian Ebbesvik to the chequered flag, finishing in tenth place on the road, but, more significantly, in second place in his class for guest drivers, beaten only by Daniel Roos, the newly crowned Northern European Formula Ford Champion.

"I really enjoyed the race," said Gaffney on the podium afterwards. "Apart from missing third gear on the first lap, the race went really well and the car felt very strong.

"We're now mixing it with the top drivers and teams in the championship and to finish second behind the new Northern European Champion is a great result."

The second race started in unsettled conditions with one half of the circuit wet from a recent downpour. These were the conditions Gaffney had revelled in earlier in the season at Donington Park when he claimed second place in the Avon Clubmans Series race.

Starting from 12th on the grid he again showed his skill and confidence on the wet half of the circuit by quickly moving through the field to briefly run as high as sixth. However, he was caught out by a puddle under the road bridge, which led to him spinning down the field.

On lap 11, while battling with Jonny Baker to regain tenth place, the pair collided which led to Gaffney's retirement two corners later.

"I am disappointed not to have finished the race," said Gaffney. "But really pleased to be racing with the top six. "

The last two rounds of the championship will be held on the Silverstone International circuit over the weekend of October 8-9.

Published: 27/09/2005