Once again fog covered the racetrack but this time it stayed around on Phillip Island, causing an hour long delay before any sprinter could roll out of pit lane. Round 3 of the 2008 JAGDAIM XJ6 Sprinter series was being run with PIARC. Despite the late start, a huge engine failure dropping oil throughout turn 12 and another car hitting the wall on the main straight, the organisers still managed to complete 5 timed runs.

Despite the cold start to the day and the conditions, things were to hot up with three sprinter drivers managing to lap under 2 minutes. Brian Wheeler's time of (1.56.03) but with the 2007 Champion Phil Pearmain, back for his first run for this season he recorded his fastest lap at the island in a Sprinter with 1.57.51. Trevor Mackrell almost made it four drivers, recording his fastest ever lap at this track with 2.00.35.

Crosbie in the first timed session exited turn 12 onto the main straight but oversteered causing his sprinter to slid sideways into the gravel trap on the driver's side. Crosbie saw his car heading towards the tyre wall and was able to steer away from the wall but his session was finished without posting any lap times. Meanwhile, Wheeler was under 2 minutes on his second lap and by his third he had recorded the fastest lap for the sprinters with 1.58.60 in very cold conditions. Sinclair and Pearmain were running side by side with their times of 2.00.16 & 2.00.17 respectively, and in fact, at one stage they both went through turn 1 door handle to door handle. Mackrell was fourth quickest (2.03.11) with a big margin back to next place, Randall (2.12.17). Stephen Yorke running for the first time in his V8 modified sprinter (2.13.00), just held off John Larkins (2.13.10) ahead of Kenna (2.23.77) and Crosbie who did not record a lap time. Rowland Tidd was co-driving the Barry Kenna sprinter for the first time and recorded a best time of (2.15.66). Hopefully, Rowland will join the series and compete in the Kenna car.

The second session was only slightly luckier for Crosbie with just 1 lap time recorded before he was forced to retire his car again with a problem in the fuel bowl. Pearmain was on a charge and managed a win with a 2.00.25 lap. Wheeler was second (2.00.49) and Mackrell moved up to third place with 2.01.24 holding out Sinclair on 2.01.87. Randall was next with 2.05.56 and Larkins 2.11.88 leading the remainder Yorke (2.13.65), Crosbie (2.17.65) and Kenna (2.19.36) who only completed two of the three laps. Tidd's best time of 2.17.46 would have placed him 8 th if he was a member of the series.

Barry Kenna did not front the grid for the third session and he was not the only one experiencing problems as Wheeler was fighting a slow leak in one of his tyres, that would effect, not only the handling of his sprinter but also his lap times. Brian did manage to record 1.59.58 but with both Sinclair and Pearmain also under the 2 minutes; Brian was relegated to third place. Sinclair reversed the standings with his first lap of 1.59.26 just ahead of Pearmain 1.59.35 with Mackrell getting faster each session and down to 2.00.69 for fourth place. Again there was a big gap back to the rest of the field with Randall on 2.06.97 and well ahead of Larkins (2.10.07) just holding out Yorke (2.10.60) and Crosbie 2.16.33. Tidd recorded 2.14.78.

With the punctured tyre replaced, Wheeler was on fire for session four and recorded the fastest sprinter time for the day with 1.57.12. Pearmain was keeping him honest with his best time of 1.57.51 leaving Sinclair the other side of 2 minutes with 2.00.77 and Mackrell on his rear bumper lapping in 2.00.94. Randall was getting quicker and managed a 2.04.72 with Larkins now down to 2.09.99, Yorke consistent 2.10.25 and Crosbie finally getting in some laps and now down to 2.13.80. Tidd had also retired for the day and the Kenna sprinter was loaded onto the trailer.

The fifth and final session was run with a smaller field as Sinclair was forced to retire early with other commitments with Randall and Yorke also failing to make the grid. Crosbie's run of bad luck continued with only 1 lap recorded before he was forced to retire. Wheeler's sprinter was feeling fast and he improved his lap times dramatically by dropping into the 1.56's and almost broke the existing sprinter lap record with his fastest lap ever at the island of 1.56.03. Pearmain was fading and could only manage one lap under 2 minutes with 1.59.42. Trevor Mackrell took third place with 2.00.35 and he will surely break the 2 minute barrier at his next outing at the island racetrack. John Larkins was slower with 2.13.61 but at least still running and Crosbie was last with his only lap of 2.15.32.

Congratulations to Brian Wheeler taking the round points just from Pearmain and Sinclair. Wheeler still leads the points table ahead of Sinclair and Mackrell in third place.

Click here to view the official results from the day for all entrants.

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

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

The fourth round will be run at Winton on Saturday 9 th August 2008.

Following this round most of the sprinters will be competing at the third running of the 6 Hour Relay at Philip Island over the weekend 30 - 31 August 2008. Having completed in sprint rounds up until now, an endurance event is something that all the sprinter drivers are looking forward to being part of.

With two teams of Sprinters competing for the first time and all four cars in the Caulfield Jag Sprinters team lapping well under 2 minutes together with a field of 50 cars, this event is something that you should not miss.

Ross Coles

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