Having taken Australian Ute racing by storm, the Jesus Racing Team has hit the Sandown racetrack in a Turbo Mini – otherwise known as ‘Baby Jesus’

Driver Andrew Fisher is experienced in the pressures of ‘Double Duty’, (He drove a Supercar and the V8 Ute in several rounds of the 08 series) so was well-prepared for his inaugural outing in the Turbo ‘Jesus Mini’, followed up by his regular duties in the Yokohama V8 ‘Jesus. All about life’ Ute.

“We are looking to expand the Jesus Racing Team in 2010 so are currently working out where best to put a second car and a second driver,” says Andrew.

“At this stage, the Mini Series is certainly part of the mix.”

Certainly one of the best-looking cars in the series, Andrew and the Baby Jesus Mini fared well in their first hit-out.

After an irregular start to the round (Race 1 was cancelled following a serious accident), Andrew and the Jesus Mini went into Race Three at 10th on the grid.

The Jesus Mini had a great run, setting great lap times and finishing the race unmarked! (rarely done in a V8 Ute race!)

Andrew says driving the mini was a whole new experience.

“It’s completely different to a V8 Ute in that you can go so much faster around corners. It’s front-wheel-drive, light, fast and enjoyable,” he says.

“You can brake much later in the Mini, and accelerate out of the corner, so while the Utes are faster down the straight, the Mini’s make up for it in the cornering.

“Obviously such a radical change of driving style takes some getting used to,” says Andrew, “but we were only a second off the fastest lap time, so with more practice I am confident we can be really competitive.”

Team manager Steve Peach says racing the Minis is a big plus for the Jesus Racing Team.

“Running in a another series opens the opportunity to engage with a whole new group of people,” says Steve, “and that is what the ministry is all about”.

Meanwhile the Yokohama V8 Ute Series was a tricky one this weekend.

A bingle involving the Jesus Ute in Race 1 saw the car line up at last on the grid for Sunday’s Reverse Grid race.

Another nasty incident involving the Air Vanuatu Ute saw that race wound up and declared a non-event.

Race Three of the Yokohama Series saw the Jesus Ute lined up on grid position 17.

Andrew got a great start and was motoring down to turn 1 when chaos prevailed once again. George Miedecke missed a gear and was punted from behind by Jack Elsegood, setting off a string of minor collisions.

The ‘Jesus. All about life’ Ute managed to get through the carnage and push through to 12th after lap one.

Fishtail continued to drive hard and made it through to 8th, with a brave late move through turn 6 over the top of the hill on the last lap.

Many of the series front-runners had poor results in this race, which has helped the Jesus Racing team make up some points for the Series.

In late June 2009 Christian radio NinefouroneFM on the South Coast of NSW (Covering The Illawarra and The Shoalhaven), took the Jesus Racing Ute, some borrowed Tieline Outside Broadcast equipment, a mobile BBQ, food and two jumping castles out into the local community.

The team from 94.1FM went out and did 6 live outside broadcasts in 5 days. They went to 5 Christian Schools, as well as one church which provides a free BBQ lunch to homeless people every week in Wollongong. The locations stretched from Nowra to Corrimal, covering a large portion of the station’s listener area.

The schools were all overwhelmed by the Ninefourone Team’s generosity and enthusiassm. They loved the jumping castles and were very jealous that we got to drive the JAAL Racing Ute! Many children took turns getting their photo taken with the ute. One school was particularily lucky as Andrew “Fishtail” Fisher, the Jesus Racing driver himself turned up to one of the events and chatted to many of the students.

General Manager Josh Reid also took the Ute to 5 curches over 3 Sundays where he spoke about the ministry of the radio station during services.

The station recieved much great feedback from a variety of listeners who heard the OB’s as well as many grateful responses from the teaches at the schools.

At each of the OB’s everyone was well fed and well excersised. This was a fantastic way to not only promote Ninfourone’s June Appeal, but also promote the upcoming JAAL media campaign.

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