The same year, Leo J. Shorter became chief engineer (by 1940, technical director). He and two other designers created the new Sports Nine, which made its debut at the London Motor Show that year; it featured a two-bearing crankshaft. The Nine was joined by a new six-cylinder, while the Junior was dropped and the new sidevalve-engined 12 displaced the Ten. The Sports Nine was "an immediate success" among trials racers, and Singer entered a specially-prepared version at Le Mans, which led to the Nine being commonly called the Le Mans. Singer earned an "excellent reputation" in racing before three works Nines appeared at the 1935 Ulster Tourist Trophy, where all three wrecked, all from the same cause (steering failure) and all, incredibly, at the same spot.