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Snetterton Jaguar XK Challenge 1st July 2006

Event Report by John Roberts

“We’re having a Heat Wave” – It’s Official!!

Snetterton, in beautiful Norfolk was the scene of the latest clash of the Big Jaguars.

Last year I was a little unfortunate as my engine started to tinkle whilst doing about 100 mph down the Revett Straight, so I thought I’d arrive earlier and attend Friday’s Testing. Well, Hot or What? It was about 28 Deg. Air Temp and 34 Deg. Track Temp which, as you know by now doesn’t help these aging Titans. But we got through the session, without loss of water or falls in oil pressure, which was a great tick in the box.

Saturday qualifying also went well in the main, with some errors on my part with not enough grip on hot, slippery tarmac and was 5th in Class on the Grid clocking a 1 minute 32 second lap. I was also trying to measure the right amount of fuel needed for the race from consumption figures taken in Testing and Qualifying over the two days.

Now the race was somewhat different with some positives and negatives to report. It was now nearly 30 Deg. C and I was 5th in Class but 9th on the grid overall. Being very careful to keep the water temperature to a minimum, we all sidled our way to our grid positions.

The 5 Second Board was shown, the Red Lights went out and we were off. Now listen to this!! Not 5 minutes before we got into our cars and headed for the Assembly Area we were discussing starting techniques, to reduce wheel spin and effect better starts. One of our Technicians suggested the Granny Start, UH? This meant that with the car in gear, you let the car roll forward with a gentle clutch release and “BE PATIENT”. Once you’re moving then FLOOR IT!!

Well I was patient, moving number 16 forward, then I floored it. Wow, it worked. I overtook two cars before the first right-hander (Riches Corner). Into Sear Corner I was being chased by the pack with Chris Keith-Lucas, Graham Love et al. Of course the Class D boys were in a league of their own, but our Class C’s are very competitive. I was up into 3rd in Class and holding 5th in the race overall.

I settled into a comfortable groove and working on reducing lap times and trying to drive smoothly. I had to use my Overdrive down the Revett Straight, as I didn’t want another “Blown” engine.

Note: Snetterton has been the scene of 3 blown engines over the years, not what I would call a “Lucky Circuit”, but a fantastically fast and a rewarding one!

Therefore, I needed to preserve the engine and with outside temperatures increasing I had my beady eyes on the dials for, temperatures, pressures, levels. BUT, two laps from the end and I was comfortably in for a “Pot”, for 3rd in Class, the engine started to stutter, Oh NO!!?? Yes, I had run out of petrol. I could not believe it. It was just too hot and the engine too thirsty.

Never mind, I met some great people who will be racing at Classic Le Mans this weekend and a number of MWS customers, like Dick Skipworth (in the photo) whom I race with and it was another great weekend.

We are racing at Croix-en-Ternois, in France on the 14th to the 16th July. If you would like to come along, it’s only 50 minutes from Calais. You can pick up some good value wines and even cheaper cheeses.

John