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.