ROBINSON returns with a clean sweep

David Robinson who last drove in the JAGDAIM XJ6 Sprinters series in 2007, returned to Sandown to co-drive the Performance Exhaust Motorsport Sprinter.  David who has not raced a sprinter for nearly 18 months was too fast for the rest of the unmodified Sprinters, resulting in 3 wins from 3 starts.  Barry Kenna who owns the sprinter was not available for the meeting and offered David the drive.

The Modified Sprinter class numbers were increased with Rob Sinclair’s brothers, Ian and James co-driving the red sprinter for the first time.  Whilst Brian Wheeler would set a new lap record for modifieds, Rob Sinclair would take the points for the second time this year. 
Even with Barry Kenna, Anthony Larkins, Vaughn Foster and his son Vaughn Jnr not competing, 14 drivers for the sprinters again matched the record set in the first round for 2009.  Vaughn and his son were at the track later in the day and advised that progress is being made with their sprinter, with the roll cage now fitted and it looks likely to début at the next round at Winton in August.

Practice provided a few moments with Rob Sinclair testing his new brake set-up as he approached turn 1 only to find that the rear brakes were working better than the front brakes.  Rob’s sprinter had completed a 180 degree turn with the rear of the car now entering turn 1 first and the car ended up buried in the kitty litter.

Ian Sinclair having his first run in a sprinter and on a racetrack, could only manage one lap before being shown the black flag.  Back in pit lane he was told that his rear door was not closed and he would miss the rest of the session.  However his luck was to change, or was it, as he was then let out with group 3 comprising of ex-race cars and  the fastest group of the day.  So   Ian returned to the track for his second lap and drove like an each-way punter, with one eye on the track and the other in the rear vision mirror.  Ian will surely never forget his introduction to motor sport. 

The only other surprise in this session was that the JAGDAIM Sponsored Modified Sprinter managed to survive for both drivers, Wheeler and Randall.  2009 has not been a good year for this car with two DNF’s.  The gear shift snapped in two for the first round and the brand new engine failed, during practice in round 2.  Having rebuilt the motor, it was decided to run it in gently and to get as many points as possible.  In fact this was the first time that Gary Randall was able to get behind the wheel for 2009.

First timed session saw a change in plans for Wheeler, who was now pushing the sprinter harder and as he exited turn 1 you could almost hear Murray Walker screaming, “SPIN, SPIN, SPIN”.  Brian was carrying too much speed and as he exited the corner he went off the track to the right and then to the left.  The Jagdaim sprinter was to suffer more problems with the exhaust noise exceeding the maximum reading of 75 dbn.  If Brian and his crew could not quieten the exhaust they would have to withdraw from the meeting.  Co-driver, Randall issued a media release advising that the JAGDAIM sprinter had negotiated a new sponsorship deal with the “Schweppes” name now displayed on the car.  This deal came about with a Schweppes lemonade can cut and riveted to the end of the exhaust pipe.

After his stint, Randall parked the sprinter back into the pit garage with not only the Schweppes can missing and the sponsorship deal.  The JAGDAIM crew started to look for another means of lowering the exhaust noise. 

Randall also commented on David Thompson’s moment at the now famous turn 1.  As Gary related the story, David’s sprinter started to slip sideways as he negotiated the corner.  This resulted in several cars that were following him to each take a different direction to avoid contact.

Despite his problems, Wheeler set the fastest time and new lap record for a modified sprinter with 1.28.43 ahead of Rob Sinclair (1.30.73) from Randall (1.35.68), James Sinclair (1.36.12), Yorke (1.40.95) and Ian Sinclair (1.42.27).

Robinson was the pace setter in the un-modified class with a very quick time of 1.33.15 just ahead of MacKrell (1.33.81) and followed by Pearmain (1.36.07), David Thompson (1.36.33), Crosbie (1.36.78), Tidd (1.38.15), Duncalf (1.38.65) and John Larkins (1.40.51).

2nd timed session had the JAGDAIM crew concerned that they may be eliminated for excessive noise but that was not to be, as Wheeler parked the car off the track on lap 4 due to the oil pressure gauge not showing any reading. Despite only recording 3 laps, Wheeler once again topped the times for modified sprinters with 1.30.02.  Sinclair was only a paint layer away with 1.30.19 but did incur a higher reading than 75 dbn for his exhaust.  Rather than attach cans to the exhaust outlet, Rob’s crew merely changed the exhaust outlet to the passenger side as his sprinter has a choice of which side the exhaust will come out of the car.

Wheeler’s co-driver, Randall would not get another run for the day.  Third fastest in the modifieds was Ian Sinclair with (1.37.16) ahead of Yorke on (1.40.52).  The only other driver in this section, James Sinclair would not post any lap time.  He succumbed to turn 1, crashing into the Armco on drivers left as a result of unbalancing the car on the ripple strip.

Robinson again dominated the un-modified class with a staggering time of 1.31.29 again leading MacKrell (1.33.49) and Crosbie (1.34.20).  Pearmain was the next fastest with (1.35.57) with Tidd (1.35.79), then Thompson (1.36.12), Duncalf (1.38.48) and Larkins (1.39.31).

3rd timed session was an easy win for Rob Sinclair (1.30.90) ahead of Yorke (1.40.13) with the rest of the category out with mechanical or damage to their vehicles.

Robinson completed his hat trick with his third win for the day with a time of 1.32.99 still holding out a very consistent, MacKrell (1.33.86) and Thompson with his best drive for the day (1.35.19).  Series leader, Pearmain although also consistent, was fourth with (1.35.84), and then Crosbie (1.35.79), Duncalf (1.36.95), Larkins (1.39.20) and Tidd did not compete.

At the completion of the championship events, the super sprints were held and of note was Rob Sinclair finally getting under 1.30 with a time of 1.29.63.  Mike Crosbie had a moment in the second last corner as he approached the main straight with a spin that left his sprinter parked on top of the ripple strip.

Another highlight of the day was the fact that the Sprinters had the second most entries of the three clubs, HSVOC & Ford, only 2 less than the host club.  2009 has seen a huge increase in membership with 5 new members and another two showing interest in joining.
The placing’s for round 3 were:

XJ6 Modified Sprinters: Rob Sinclair topped the podium with (18 points), with Wheeler and Yorke equal second (13)
XJ6 Sprinters: David Thompson first (20 points), MacKrell second (17) and Pearmain third (13).

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE AND LAP TIMES FOR 2009
JAGDAIM XJ6 MODIFIED SPRINTERS SERIES

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE AND LAP TIMES FOR 2009
JAGDAIM XJ6 SPRINTERS SERIES

DNC Did not compete
* NTL No recorded timed lap
** New Lap Record
The next round of the 2009 JAGDAIM XJ6 Sprinter series will be run at Winton on Saturday 8th August, 2009.

Ross Coles Secretary Jaguar XJ6 Sprinters Drivers Association
Contact: 0417351304 or email: secretary@jagsprinters.org
Website: www.jagsprinters.org.