Jaguar returns to Le Mans

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93066

Fantastic news. Its great that so many manufacturers are entering endurance racing; Audi, Peugeot and Aston Martin are going to be joined by Toyota, Porsche, and now Jaguar.

Hopefully we can return to the 90's era of manufacturer backed racing.

 

Jaguar is counting down the seconds until their ALMS project expires. A complete failure from the car itself to the shady character in Paul Gentilozzi to run the project (into the ground).

I think Nic Wirth will have a position in this program, so here's to hoping he deletes his Virgin F1 experience and conjures up the Acura LMP magic.

 

Lotus also plans LMP car for Le Mans.
What about Ferrari?

 

I'd be pleased to see more manufacturers in ALMS, but, honestly, the game has changed so dramatically that the smaller, under-funded teams will merely be racing for second, third or worse place. Audi is a behemoth. I'm actually surprised that Peugeot can field as credible and competitive an entry, when Audi is spending what it is on its ALMS prototypes.

But, good on Jag. I'm sure Brian Redman et al will also be pleased to see this.

CW

 

My buddy races for Jaguar in the ALMS series...I am not sure about the team owner, but my buddy is a great guy...Nicest driver you will meet! Rocky Moran Jr. Watch him in the #98 car this weekend...

 

I like Rocky he is a great driver. Ask him to drop the hint to Jag that they should dust off one the old Silk Cut cars and see how it would standup to the Audi's and Pugs that would be awesome.

 

One of the "old Silk Cut" cars runs Group C that has been a support race for the LM 24h - guy from the UK does very well with it. We've seen it run a couple times and it's been on display at Autosport International in the past.

Carol

 

I still like the Group 44 liveried cars, too...

http://fantasyjunction.com/cars/1016-Jaguar-XJR-5-6.2%20Litre%2012-Cylinder

Anyone care to open up the checkbook?

CW

 

XJR9 s/n J12-C-186 (ex Kroymans) brought 777k euro at internet auction in 2010 (NL).
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If Jaguar is serious about coming back at Le Mans, I hope that it will come better prepared than Aston Martin this year.
The last effort from Aston with their own chassis and 6-cylinder engine is nothing short of a disgrace.
The car (and engine) needs a lot of development before it is entered in a race.
Aston Martin did itself no favour by coming at Le Mans with an almost untested car. Using practise and qualifs as track time for development doesn't really sound very professional from Prodrive.