2011 National Sprint Championship - Stewartby Lakes
It was a frustrating 2011 National Sprint Championship for the JC Racing Team which was held at Stewartby Lakes as engine problems and bad weather conditions meant the team lost their 250cc National Sprint Championship crown.
Thanks to the help and support from engine manufacturer Guisseppi Rossi (ITA), the team arrived at Stewartby Lakes on the Saturday looking to try some modifications on the 250cc GRM hydroplane engine.
Qualifying saw the team driver Julian Codling try out the engine modifications for the first time and as he powered away from the jetty the 250cc GRM seized halfway up the first straight which ended the qulaifying session for the team.
A quick change of pistons and barrell saw the team get onto the jetty for the start of the first race. as the red lights went out the 250cc GRM Rossi engine burst into life as Julian powered away from the line. At the first turn Julian was alongside the 350cc outfit of Nigel Edwards and as they went down the back straight he powered into the lead.
Lapping three and a half seconds quicker than his nearest competitor it looked like Julian would take the first heat win in style until the gearbox decided to let go with three laps remaining.
With the gearbox replaced the team waited for the final three races that would take place on Sunday to make amends for the DNF in the first race.
Unfortunatley Sunday saw the traditional high winds arrive at Stewartby Lakes which meant it was to rough to race and despite waiting for the wind to die down it never happend and the racing was cancelled for the hydroplane class.
This meant that after winning the first race on the Saturday the popular Kevin Turner was crowned the 2011 National 250cc Outboard Sprint Champion.
