Results for Round 1 - 2006
Sandown - Sunday, 12th February 2006 

A DECADE OF SPRINTERS

It is ten years since the Jaguar XJ6 Sprinter first appeared on a racetrack worldwide. Back in 1997 a small number of Jaguar owners formed the XJ6 Sprinters Group. During this period, this group introduced sponsorship, the Lites series (standard XJ6’s) & perpetual championship trophies. Sprinters have raced on all the Victorian racetracks and have competed interstate at Mallala and Eastern Creek. Membership has increased with drivers appearing from both interstate and New Zealand.

Jaguar XJ6 Sprinters/Lites are now a firm part of club motorsport and are respected at all racetracks for their speed, reliability and the race presentation.

The 2006 season was opened on Saturday 11th February with the second AGM for the Jaguar XJ Sprinters Drivers Association. The meeting was again held at the major sponsor’s premises, Jagdaim but this year was conducted in the newly completed workshops of Jagabout (part of the Jagdaim corporation). At the conclusion of the AGM the workshop was used to inspect some of the Jaguars who will be contesting the 2006 JAGDAIM XJ6 SPRINTERS & LITES Series. The Jaguars were placed on the hoists and inspected to ensure that they complied with the regulations but also to ensure that the vehicles were trackworthy with regard to safety.

During the day lunch was catered, allowing the drivers to relax, catch up, and unveil race plans as to how each would win the first round of the 2006 series being held at Sandown International Racetrack the following day, Sunday the 12th February. However, one team, the sponsor, Jagdaim was still not happy with their Sprinter and so the gear box was removed and the clutch plate changed. It has been a year since this car last appeared on the track and from memory the car just managed to limp to the end of the 2004 season. Last minute jitters would only be resolved once the car was back on the track.

Other changes to the 2006 grid were Sinclair purchasing the 2005 winning Sprinter from Hogan/Mulholland. Jim Mulholland will co-drive for part of the year which meant that Anthony Larkins lost his drive and will move back to share his father’s Lite. The 2005 Lite Champion, Murray Scoble has moved up to the Historics class and has been competing in his Gemini in the National series. As mentioned the Jagdaim Sprinter has returned with Wheeler & Redel competing this season. A third driver for this car is a possibility for the later part of the series.

And so we arrive at Sandown for the first round of the 2006 series. With sunny conditions and a full field of vehicles, all drivers were anxious to get onto the track, no more than Wheeler. Brian commented after the first run that, “It (the car) did not sound or feel right as it drove down pit lane, but once it hit the track, it was a different car.”

During the practice session the Kenna/Randall Sprinter completed only one lap with Gary at the wheel when the car suffered an engine failure forcing an early retirement for the team with both drivers only receiving 1 point for the championship points table.

Duncalf had a spin at turn 2 and could not restart his sprinter forcing the Clerk of Course to red flag the session. Apart from these two mishaps the rest of the cars were lapping without incident with Wheeler just faster than Mulholland by 2/10th’s of a second followed by Sinclair, now in the ex-Mulholland 2005 Sprinter.

Mulholland turned the tables in the first timed session with a best time of 1.30.30, followed by Wheeler on 1.30.79, Sinclair 1.32.88, then Pearmain, Redel and Duncalf. John Larkins recorded the fastest time for the Lites with 1.41.77 with Scott second 1.42.54, then Leyton and Anthony Larkins.

Pearmain was an early retirement in the second timed session when his transmission failed after just two laps. Mulholland was again the fastest with 1.30.85, just in front of Wheeler, from Sinclair, Redel, Pearmain and Duncalf. Gary Scott in the Lites recorded a very fast time of 1.39.53 just slower than the existing lap record. John Larkins was next, just in front of his son, Anthony who was now in front of Leyton.

The final timed session saw no changes in placings Mulholland leading with a 1.30.41 in the Sprinters and Scott in the Lites with a 1.40.24.

The winners for round 1 of the JAGDAIM XJ6 SPRINTERS/LITES 2006 SERIES were Jim Mulholland and Gary Scott.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE AND LAP TIMES FOR 2006 SERIES

JAGDAIM XJ6 SPRINTERS SERIES

JAGDAIM XJ6 LITES SERIES

Round 2 of the Championship series will be run at the Phillip Island Racetrack on mother’s day, Sunday 14th May. The third round will be run at Winton on Saturday 10th June, and the next two rounds have not been confirmed but both should be at Sandown on Sunday 13th August & Saturday 28th October.

The association committee is currently looking at creating our own website and hopefully this will be up and running in the next couple of months.

Both Rob Sinclair & Anthony Larkins are selling Sprinters. John’s car is in the early stages but Rob Sinclair’s former sprinter has been campaigned over the past years and is ready to race. Both cars are ideal for anyone interested in joining our unique series and you can contact me for further details if interested.

Ross Coles
Secretary
Jaguar XJ Sprinters Drivers Association
Contact: Phone 0417351304 or

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