PETER Doukas’ fourth Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic was jam-packed with learning.
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Prior to Sunday night’s South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, the Mailors Flat driver hadn’t raced 40 laps in succession.
He’d also never started anywhere near pole position in one of the world’s most prestigious sprintcar events.
As the engines revved and the crowd roared prior to the start of the 46th classic, Doukas took in his surroundings.
The South Warrnambool footballer finished 10th overall, behind American Cory Eliason and Warrnambool driver Darren Mollenoyux.
“You ask yourself ‘am I meant to be here?’ with the guys that you’re racing against in the A-main,” Doukas said.
“You don’t feel like you’re up to do what they do but we managed to do that for parts of the night.”
Doukas revealed he was pleased with the outcome but was disappointed in letting a podium position slip in the feature event.
“You’d take the result as it was most days. I was a little bit disappointed to start so high and to drop back, that was a bit disappointing,” he said.
“But you move on and take what you’ve learnt out of it. We’ll try again next year.”
The 23-year-old said he had belief leading into his Australian Sprintcar Title heat on Thursday at Mount Gambier.
“You believe you can do it, because we were able to do it for parts (at the classic),” Doukas said.
“We’ve got qualifying for the Australian titles on Thursday night, and then we’ll have a night off Friday and get back into it on Saturday.
“After that I’m back to work and back to reality.”
Fellow south-west hopeful John Vogels, based in Simpson, finished 15th after beginning 24th.
Warrnambool’s Jamie Veal was handed a second chance as a reserve after Luke Oldfield crashed out. James McFadden also failed to finish.