JEC XJS Championship - Snetterton 21^st April 2007:

DAVIS SURVIVES SCARE TO BAG JAGUAR DOUBLE

A Hairy moment at flat-out Coram curve almost scuppered Steve Davis's succesful return to the XJS Championship. Having Led from pole, he struck oil on lap three and only just kept it together without losing a place.

Closest challenger Derek Pearce was less fortunate, sliding to 14th before eventually recovering to fourth. Davis ran out the winner, ahead of reigning champion Gail Hill.

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There were 9 brand new cats on the grid of 28 for the start of the season on this sunny and warm weekend. Derek Pearce was not going to have it all his way because he qualified 2nd on the grid with last years 'Powered by' runner-up Steve Davis on pole and 3rd was Stuart Lyddall of Kent.

When the red lights went out Steve and Derek shot away. Stuart dropped back and allowed Gail Hill, in her new V12, up to 3rd. They stayed like that until lap 3 when coming round Coram Curve Davis and Pearce both hit a spillage of anti-freeze. Derek spun to a halt while Steve ended up on the grass verge by the side of the track, but managed to regain control of the car and drift back onto the track, still in the lead.

Gail was now 2nd and Derek had to restart his car and resumed the race in 14th position. With no more scares Davis went on to take race and Class G win. Gail took 2nd and said "I had a stonking race and am very happy with 2nd place." Lyddall was 3rd three seconds behind Gail. Derek clawed his way back up to 4th! Would race 2 be even better?

Elsewhere in race 1 there was a great four way scrap between Class D winner John Locke 5th , Gary Hastings 6th, Lawrence Coppock 7th and Cliff Ryan 8th, the racing was so close.

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