CASTLE Combe race engineer Geraldine Duff got a very different view of the circuit when she was thrown upside down in a spectacular starting grid crash on Sunday.

The 26-year-old, of Queens Crescent, Chippenham, works at the circuit as well as competing in its Saloon Car Championship.

She walked away with just shock and bruising after the terrifying smash in the second race of the day on Sunday.

The crash came right at the start as the crowded grid sped away. A car stalled in front of Duff as she began to gather speed.

“I tried to go round it but there was another car to my right,” she said. “I just remember thinking that both sides of my car were going to get damaged. The next thing I remember saying ‘oh bugger, I am going over’.

“I wasn’t frightened, more annoyed with myself really. I have done some work with the race marshals at the circuit so I knew what to expect.”

After being checked by medics she forced herself to go and inspect the damage to the Rover 25 she has spent £20,000 fitting out for racing.

“I had to go and look. It is quite badly damaged. I might need to buy a new shell and rebuild it. I certainly won’t be racing again this season,” said Duff.

The crash has not put her off the sport. “Some of the other drivers have said I belong to an exclusive club now. At the end of the day the car is just a lump of metal and my health is most important but it is heartbreaking when I think of all the hard work I put into it.”