Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club Saloon & GT Championship Round 3 & 4 Donington Park 31st May 2021
The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Saloon and GT ChampionshipWhat could better than a sunny Bank Holiday watching Jaguars racing at Donington Park?
Race Report; Colin Porter Photo'd Chris Gage
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Qualifying
Returning from absence at Silverstone (ECU issues) Colin Philpott was first to post a time in the XJS (Class C). Philpott was soon challenged by the also returning Guy Connew for his first outing of the season in the Quaker State, Group 44 tribute XJS (Class D) but ultimately it was James Ramm who was quickest with a 1:20.8 to claim pole. Mike Seabourne (XJ 40 Class B) showing that he means business in this year’s championship took fourth narrowly from Class B rival Derek Pearce (XK8). A notable absence from the front row, Tom Robinson (XJR6 ClassD) with a persistent misfire throughout qualifying meaning starting from the back of the grid. Simon Dunford (XJS) proved to be the quickest of the Class A cars ahead of David Ringham (XJS).
Qualifying Gallery
Race One
Ramm made a fast start leading into Redgate and held it exiting the Old Hairpin from Philpott and Connew. Michael Holt (X300 Class C) made a good start to pass Pearce and close on fellow Class C runner and class leader Tom Lenthall (XJS). 2019 champion Chris Boon on his first outing of the season (Class C XJ40) made a quick getaway to move up four places ahead of Rick Walker (Class B XJS) and Daniel Stewart (Class B XJS).
Going into lap two Philpott was hanging onto Ramm with a small gap back to Connew. Robinson was working his way up through the field and was closing on Boon. Although warm and sunny, conditions at this point were tricky with a lot of oil having been deposited on the track. Despite the slippery track Lenthall was able to pass Seabourne and move up to fourth.
A combination of temperature, track conditions and early season gremlins took it its toll on the field and DNF’s accumulated with retirements for, Michael Atkinson (X300 Class B), Holt, Dunford, Stewart, and Richard Coppock (XJS Class C).
Connew eventually closed and passed Philpott on the exit of Redgate going into Craner’s, although in Philpott’s defence the car clearly had a misfire which was getting worse, but despite this he held onto third and the Class C win. Ramm’s lead over Connew (Meguiar’s GT Drive of the day) extended to seventeen seconds by the time the chequered flag came out. Lenthall was second in Class C, followed home by Seabourne (Meguiar’s Saloon Drive of the day) Class B, closely pursued by Pearce and Robinson who had made his way through from the back of the grid. David Ringham prevailed to win Class A from Matthew Davis in the XJ40, Davis completing his first race after fire damaged his XJR6 at Silverstone.
Race One Gallery
Race Two
Ramm who was dominant in race one was once again quickest to react at lights out and was swift to establish a healthy lead. Philpott unable to start due to the misfire and likewise Simon Dunford also a non-starter (Class A XJS). Lenthall was slightly hampered by Pre-83 sharing the grid in his pursuit of Connew in second but Holt didn’t have the same problems and made good progress coming through from the back in the X300 on lap one along with Robinson who made a cracking start. Pearce and Seabourne were also resuming battle for Class B honours the veteran and young gun locked together XK8 verse XJ40 in close combat.
Rick Walker (Class B) unfortunately span at Craner’s to end his race early the green XJS 4.0. Holt continuing to make progress now joined the Seabourne, Pearce tussle with Coppock just off the back of this group.
Robinson’s charge ended on lap four with a loss of power and retirement to the pits and was sadly followed by Connew on lap eight, the high temperatures perhaps taking its toll. There were no such problems for James Ramm (Meguiar’s GT Drive of the day) who was majestic all weekend as and closed out a double win with a twenty-one second gap to Tom Lenthall who had a classy drive for second overall and Michael Holt (Meguiar’s Saloon Drive of the day) passing Seabourne late on for the final podium place. Novice driver Michael Atkinson who continues to improve claimed second in Class B along with fellow Matthew Davis who collected his first class win in the Class A XJ40.
Round 5 & 6 will take place at Castle Combe 3rd & 4th July 2021. Qualifying and both races will be available to watch on the Official BARC YouTube Live Stream.
Race Two Gallery
Results Round 3 & 4
Race One Results
|
| First | Second | Third |
| Overall | James Ramm | Guy Connew | Colin Philpott |
| Class A | David Ringham | Matthew Davis | - |
| Class B | Michael Seabourne | Derek Pearce | Rick Walker |
| Class C | Colin Philpott | Tom Lenthall | Chris Boon |
| Class D | James Ramm | Guy Connew | Tom Robinson |
Race Two Results
|
| First | Second | Third |
| Overall | James Ramm | Tom Lenthall | Michael Holt |
| Class A | Matthew Davis | - | - |
| Class B | Michael Seabourne | Derek Pearce | Michael Atkinson |
| Class C | Tom Lenthall | Michael Holt | Richard Coppock |
| Class D | James Ramm | - | - |