AMANDA Whitaker made a good start to her 2009 racing campaign by taking third place in the HSCC Historic Formula Ford series at Donington Park.

Racing her 1971 Elden Mk8, the distributor was destroyed in qualifying, leaving her in a frustrating tenth place out of a grid of 32 runners.

"I knew I would have my work cut out in the race as there was a yellow flag area (no overtaking) from the entry of Mcleans until Coppice," said the Newton Aycliffe driver.

Come the race, with the main engine issues solved she was ready to mount a charge and made a good start to jump up to seventh by the end of the first lap.

After ten laps of typically close Formula Ford competition, the top eight were still covered by less than eight seconds.

By this point Whitaker had squeezed her way into sixth place, despite handling problems and with the left rear tyre locking up under heavy braking.

In the final two laps she kept her cool while others around her lost theirs and she took third across the line, even though her vision was becoming badly blurred and having lack of grip due to a heavy oil leak from one of her competitors.

"I knew I could race well and, although I didn't have the quickest car out on the track, I think I made the best of what I had, she said.

It was hard, but fair competition and good fun. I am happy with the result - it's a solid start to the season."

Whitaker races again in HSCC Formula Ford on April 19 at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire.

For more information on Amanda Whitaker contact www.AmandaWhitaker.com.