Balloch’s Oban Duncan will be flying the flag for Scotland this year - literally.
The 17-year-old starts her second year in the fiercely competitive F4 class next weekend, with her powerboat now sporting a striking saltire livery.
After months of hard work on the boat over winter, Oban hopes to build on a superb debut season in the class.
Oban told the Lennox: “It was great to be back out on the water. It had felt like a long time away.
“We had a lot of work done on the boat, and we changed a lot of things.
“So it was nice to get back in it and make sure that everything was working in the right way. You forget how long you’re away when you finally get back behind the wheel.
“The changes we’ve made have made a big difference to the handling, but we won’t know how big a difference until we get to the first race and see what everyone else has been working on.
“We’ll know for real by next weekend.
“I’m really happy with the livery too. It looks amazing.
“I saw it when it was painted but then I didn’t get to see it until the vinyls were put on.
“But I’ve been incredibly happy with it.
“As the only Scottish team we decided that we wanted the flag on the boat to show everyone who we were representing.”
Oban’s journey in racing started almost a decade ago, and she admits she has to pinch herself at the level she’s now competing at.
She continued: “It’s been such a long journey since I first started racing when I was eight.
“I never expected to get to where I am now, and I would not be here without a lot of people. But especially my mum and dad.
“When I was younger I would never have dreamed of being here.
“Every so often you sit back and think ‘wow, I can’t believe I’m racing at this level’ - and all these people did a lot for me. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
And ahead of the new season starting next weekend (April 29/30) at Carr Mill in St Helen’s, Oban says she feels more prepared than ever - but isn’t setting herself targets.
She added: “We’re going with an open mind to see what happens.
“Anything can happen in racing, as long as you do the best that you can that’s all you can control.
“I feel a lot more prepared than I was last year. The boat is in a much better position and I feel like I’m capable of doing more.
“As a driver I can recognise where I’m going wrong, whereas last year I wasn’t in the position to know what I was doing right and wrong. That’s probably half the battle.
“Everyone says to me that I’m still so new to the boat that I need to give myself a break.
“It normally takes people a few years to get to where I’ve managed in the F4.
“I’ll just have to take things as they come this season. But I’m competitive so I like to win!”
