Swallows Season Finishes on a High Note
The CTCRC Jaguar Challenge finale at Donington Park on 22nd & 23rd October finished in much the same way as the season started for Swallows. Tom winning in the XJR6, Jack excelling well beyond expectation and Steve, Damian and Andrew all pulling out wonderful performances in their respective classes. Tom had already secured the championship at the previous round at Snetterton so could look forward to a less pressured weekend.
Qualifying on Saturday with two races scheduled for Sunday, Tom turned on the style out qualifying his nearest rival by over 3.7 seconds for pole position. Jack almost produced a Swallows and Robinson front row ‘lock-out’ narrowly missing out on second place by just two tenths of a second in the sister XJR6. Steve Dowell, learning the circuit whilst qualifying produced an excellent fifth in class and fifteenth overall in the Martini XKR. Steve was closely followed by Andrew Maynard in the XJ40, qualifying third in class with Damian Gray also in an XJ40 immediately behind Andrew.
After a totally dry season, the odds must have been stacked in favour of having a wet race this weekend. Sure enough it came with torrential rain coming down as dawn broke causing a slight delay to the day’s racing. When racing got under way a very slippery Donington Park circuit was made more treacherous by a collision on the first corner, Redgate, causing a large oil spill. With the circuit more like a skating rink, Tom was attempting to find a way past James Ramm’s XJS who had made a clean start. Both Tom and Jack had picked up some front wing damage in the first corner melee, whilst Steve, Andrew and Damian had all manged to avoid the worst. Andrew benefiting the most by moving up to seventh overall and first in class B a position he would hold right to the chequered flag, with superb drive in the wet. Tom continued to struggle to find grip and was passed by Colin Philpott’s XJS on newer tyres but regained second place when Ramm slid off at Goddards. Tom eventually finishing second overall and first in class.
Jack in the meantime was enjoying an X300 battle with Michael Holt for third but unfortunately couldn’t secure the podium place but did hold onto fourth and second in class D for his best finish of the season. Steve managed to keep his starting position despite the XKR being a handful in the conditions. Damian unfortunately slid off at Redgate and eventually out of the race but with the car undamaged.
By the afternoon the rain clouds had parted, and the Jaguars could enjoy a dry race. After an aborted first lap with a car beached in the gravel, Tom sped away at the re-start and led into the first corner, he quickly established a four second lead by the end of lap one. Never headed Tom stamped his authority on the race winning by a very comfortable fifteen second margin. Jack had an entertaining race having various close battles but eventually dropping down to sixth overall and fourth in class but ending a very satisfying weekend. Steve achieved his season ambition with another top ten finish and clearly is getting quicker with each outing. Damian was back on form for race two and having learnt the circuit secured third in class and twelfth overall closely followed by Andrew on place back.
A satisfying conclusion to Swallows season. Tom has been totally dominant throughout the championship and from fourteen starts he has secured eleven outright victories, thirteen class wins and qualified on pole in every race. Jack has exceeded all expectations and has had a magnificent first season securing second in the class A championship and progressed through to driving a class D XJR6. Our friend Steve from PVE has proved very capable making great progress while still learning circuits in the XKR and already securing a couple of top ten finishes. Likewise, Andrew has secured his first class win and top ten place, while Damian’s return to racing has shown consistent high finishes in class B and great potential.
It has been a huge team effort to secure our first championship, winning only comes with help and support and we would again like to thank our partners, sponsors, family, and friends who contributed to such a successful season, not least; Vision Techniques, AVO, PVE, Tarox, Jaguar Enthusiasts Club (JEC TrackSport), Meguiar’s, Naked Signs and Pipercross. We look forward to the next season with new projects to be built over the winter.
