Competitors make the most of perfect conditions

Under the relentless summer sun, he became the first man to break the 20sec. barrier – posting a 19.76 – on the biennial down-and-up charge in St Saviour’s.

The racing car star had Darren Warwick’s six-year-old outright record of 20.03 to target and his previous two attempts had wound up agonisingly close, mere hundredths out.

But he finally nailed the course’s signature challenging left-hand turn on his fifth and final run, signing off a happy man.

‘I thought the time was possible today,’ he said.

‘It was really nice to be able to get it.

‘It was just having a bit more faith into the big left-hander, having a bit more confidence.

‘The weather conditions were perfect for today.’

Saunders had taken over 1sec. off his own class record in the Racing Cars 1,101 to 1,600cc, but this was no isolated case on a brilliant day where nine marks fell across the classes.

Runner-up Tim Tulie sliced a similar chunk off his record in the 601 to 1,100cc equivalent with his 20.77 in run two.

Tim Torode got progressively quicker through the day, peaking at 21.00 in his Mallock to beat his own Sports Libra record.

Phil Brehaut (24.21) and Alex Rosamond (24.45) both emerged with records in their respective Modified Specialist Production Cars classes.

The Robert brothers, Craig and Karl, both managed to go under the record in the Modified Limited Production Cars held by the former.

However, Craig was consistently the faster of the two and kept his name in the books with his best run of 24.38.

The oldest record to go fell at the hands of veteran Harry Teal, who in clocking 25.26 edged down his own Sports Libra Saloons 1,401-1,800 mark from a decade ago.

It continues a shining start to the season for Teal, who has already set a personal best at Le Val des Terres and is looking to rewrite the class records in Alderney.

‘It’s really brilliant – I’m over the moon with it,’ he said.

‘We always try our best to get records.

‘The lads in the class are doing really well as well.’

On two wheels, Mike Bourgaize and Jez Mann set class records of their own.

Bourgaize steered his powerful Suzuki to a Motorcycles 601 to 750cc mark of 26.24, while scooterist Mann set a standard of 29.01 on his trusty Lambretta.

However, the honour of fastest motorcyclist overall went to Andy Mechem, who posted a swift 24.34. It is not that far off Jersey ace Oliver Holmes’ record of 23.78.

Anthony Poynder gave him the closest challenge and finished with a very respectable 24.78 for second.

Leigh Digard and Kieran Robilliard also posted quick times in the low 25s.