Yellow Cab wins first round.

Brian Wheeler & Gary Randall decided to freshen up their Sprinter for the 2008 season but ran out of time and the car was without any decals. It was rumoured that Brian had the car painted by one of the local spray shops that specialise in repairing taxi cabs. Mike Crosbie had fitted a four speed manual gear box to his sprinter but the new engine that should have fitted last year was still sitting in his garage.

Trevor Mackrell had upgraded his sprinter with new tyres and larger rims and last year's champion, Phil Pearmain did not enter as his sprinter was not ready. The King Gee team were also absent and so the JAGDAIM XJ6 Sprinter series for 2008 started with 8 entries. The Kenna Motorsport team is now down to one driver with David Robinson retiring.

The first session had Wheeler and Rob Sinclair lapping in similar times but Brian managed to get away on lap three and recorded his fastest time 1.30.46 with Rob's best time of 1.32.27. With Gary Randall now in the taxi, the next group was led by Trevor Mackrell with his best lap 1.33.86, followed by Duncalf 1.37.05, Randall 1.37.10, Kenna 1.39.20, Hugh Sinclair 1.41.94 and Mike Crosbie last with 1.43.59.

Wheeler and Rob Sinclair were again running closely for the second session and on the final lap Sinclair caught Wheeler who was forced to brake heavily with the car in front of him spinning as they exited turn four. Brian once again took the points with his best lap of 1.30.69, slightly slower than his previous session with Rob Sinclair getting faster with 1.31.45. Mackrell led the next group again recording 1.33.75 followed again by Randall 1.36.67. Hugh Sinclair moved up the standings with his best time of 1.37.49 in front of Kenna 1.38.09 whose sprinter was suffering from gear box problems but managed to hold out Duncalf1.38.42 and Crosbie again last 1.48.42.

Hugh Sinclair was to also miss the final timed session as the cabin of his sprinter had filled with smoke and despite this mishap he still managed to record this fastest lap for the day.

The final run for Rob Sinclair and Wheeler was red flagged after only two laps due to a car catching fire on the back straight and another car hitting the armco trying to avoid a third car that had spun also on the back straight. Rob taking the point's with1.31.78 and Wheeler 1.31.89. Mackrell again headed the next group with his best time for the day1.33.37, in front of Randall 1.36.39 also his fastest time for the day ahead of Duncalf 1.39.09 and a slow Crosbie 1.43.21 with a very tired engine. Mike was promising a new engine for round two and a faster sprinter.

The second round for the 2008 JAGDAIM Sprinter series will be run at Sandown on Saturday 24th May. The rest of the 2008 series dates can be found on our website.

Ross Coles
Secretary
Jaguar XJ Sprinters Drivers Association
Contact: 0417351304 or email: secretary@jagsprinters.org

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE AND LAP TIMES FOR 2008 SERIES
JAGDAIM XJ6 SPRINTERS SERIES

* DNC Did not compete
* NTL No recorded timed lap
** New Lap Record