2001 Archive

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2001 was the first full season of racing for what is probably the only production based XK8 race car, a modified XK8 built by Australian racer Mark Trenoweth for the Nations Cup, and while the results were encouraging in the handling departement the car was low on power partly because of overheating in the supercharger. The XKR-T started 11 races and finished 10, with one 3rd place as a best result.

For 2002, the team is going back to the drawing board and calling on a proven powerplant to take the fight to improved Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Vipers and Porsches GT3 : the mighty Jaguar V12.

Trenowerth and is team are no strangers to the Le Mans winning engine, having succesfully campaigned  XJS in the 70s and 80s so the choice is logical. The team was able to obtain the Nations Cup organizers approval and the V12 fits under the bonnet with no modifications to the body; in fact one has already been trial fitted and the conversion of a road car purchased in Japan is currently under way.

No decision has been made yet on the future of the existing V8 XKR-T, it is for sale and will probably remain in the series thanks to the creation of a new class for the more powerful cars in the Nations Cup. Click here for more on the original project

Jan. 4th : Jaguar Racing unveils the new R 3 F1 contender

Presented to the media at the team headquarters, the all new Jaguar F1 race car features a number of improvements over the previous versions.

Aerodynamics have been a problem for the team and this is one part of the car which has been scrutinized by chief designer John Russell and aerodynamicist Mark Handford under the watchful eye of technical director, Steve Nichols.

Months of research and testing in the wind tunnel have prompted the designers lead by aerodynamist Mark Handford and to use a higher drooped nose similar to what Ferrari used in its 2001 world champion winner car.

The new aerodynamic package is expected to generate more downforce and to improve sensitivity . Despite the changes, the R3 is not a clean sheet design and builds on some of the solid attribute of the R2 such has a good suspension, and stiff chassis.

The new R3 is powered by a new Cosworth V10 engine, the same engine that will be supplied to rival Arrows team. The new engine features updated heads and an updated block delivering more power. It also has a lower center gravity which allowed designers to better integrate it in the chassis.

Following the launch, Niki Lauda confirmed that Cosworth CR3 engines are being delivered to Arrows despite the deal for Jaguar to buy Arrow’s wind tunnel not going thru for technical reason. Instead the team is now considering purchasing a 50% scale wind tunnel in Bicester, close to the factory. Aerodynamics chief Mark Handford stated the fact that Jaguar has developed a large number of 50% scale components and that switching to a full scale tunnel “would be a nightmare”

Significant improvement have been made in the weight of the car where designers have been able to save about 60 to 70 lbs, a huge a mount by F1 standard. While the car will still have to weight the mandatory 600 kgs, this weight will be used as ballast placed at the bottom of the chassis resulting in a lower center of gravity.

A new sponsor and partner was announced at the launched, Castrol, which becomes the official supplier for lubricants.

Jaguar Racing has also appointed a full time test driver, German Andre Lotterer, who had tested part time for the team in 2001 while running the British F3 championship. His role as official test driver will be crucial for Jaguar to develop the car throughout the year.

During the launch, Team principal and former world champion Niki Lauda repeated that Jaguar’s goal is to crack the top 6 in 2002 which will be his first full year at the helm after replacing Bobby Rahal mid season. Lauda also set the next season, 2003, for Jaguar to become a top team and contend for the world title.

The R3 first test will come on January 7th for the season first testing session in Barcelona Spain. Later in the week, on the 13th at Valencia, Lauda himself will run a test session in last year car in order to learn more about the way modern F1 car handles. Except for a brief exhibition in a McLaren two seat F1 at the Hockenheim in 2000, Lauda has not driven an formula One car since his final season in 1985.

During the launch, he said "I’ve said that any monkey could drive a modern F1 car so I think monkey say, monkey do! These cars have different engine characteristics, traction control and different engine performance. I want to understand this so I can understand what the drivers are talking about” It’s unclear whether he will test the new R3 or will prefer not to take chances with the new car and drive the 2001 R2.

A privately developed and entered Jaguar XKR will line up for one of endurance racing top event in the hands of Trans Am champion Paul Gentilozzi, who just brought Jaguar its first Trans Am constructor and driver title in 25 years.

Developed and prepared by Gentilozzi’s own Rocketsport Racing, the XKR bodied race car will line up in GTS class in the season's first endurance race, February 2nd - 3rd. The car will be co driven by Michael Lauer, who competed twice in the event, and two other drivers not yet named.

Gentilozzi is no stranger to Daytona's 24 hours having co driven a newly designed Saleen S7R last year which only finished in 74th place despite a strong driver lineup; he is however best remembered for his class win in 1994 driving a Nissan 300SX. By returning to Daytona in a car built by his own team, Gentilozzi will be a serious contender for a class win as Rocketsport has become one of the most respected team in road racing, winning 3 Trans Am championship in 4 years.

The Daytona XKR is a slightly modified version of the Trans Am XKR Paul Gentilozzi has developed over the past 2 seasons; a carbon fiber / Kevlar body built on a metal tube race chassis and powered by a American pushrod V8 it shares virtually nothing with its road going namesake.

During the first practice session, January 3rd and 4th Gentilozzi topped the time sheets in GTS class, both days, a good sign !

Triple World Champion and Jaguar Racing boss Niki Lauda will get back behind the wheel of an F1 car in January during Jaguar Racing test session at Valencia Spain, Jan 13th, where he will drive the new Jaguar R3 due to be unveiled Jan. 4th

According to Austrian press Agency APA, Lauda wants to "get a better understanding of how the car works" and is "purely interested in the technical details". He added that "his goal is not to go faster than Eddie Irvine or Pedro de la Rosa" (Jaguar F1 drivers).

Formula One cars have changed drastically since 1985 when Lauda last competed in Formula One; his last drive in a F1 was at the Hockenheim in 2000 when he did a few exhibition laps in a Mac Laren Mercedes two seater.

According to Jaguar Racing driver Eddie Irvine, then Team boss Bobby Rahal indeed tried to sell Irvine to rival team Jordan Racing in August.

In a recent interview with a British Newspaper, Irvine revealed the deal was for real but he turned it down in order to stay at Jaguar and help transform the team into a world championship contender. He went on saying : "I would have earned another 6.6-million pounds. Jordan would have paid me and I would have pocketed the money from Jaguar as well. But I didn't do it because Jaguar is what I want to happen. My ambition is to take Jaguar up the grid and make them a success" .

It’s hard to find much to cheer at the end of Jaguar Racing’s second Formula One season. Yes, Eddie Irvine brought the team its first podium finish with a 3rd place in Monaco and a couple more points were obtained in Spain but overall the team was left in back of the grid battling for scraps and finishing 8th out of 11 teams in the championship.

Oct 25th - Jaguar Racing New Wind tunnel

Every time Jaguar Racing drivers or executives were asked what is missing the most for the team to start being competitive, a wind tunnel was the usual answer.

The problem is now solved thanks to an agreement reached with Tom Walkinshaw’s Arrow team which agreed to sell one of their two wind tunnel to Jaguar. Benefits will not be immediate as the facility needs to be modernized but close to years will be saved thanks to this acquisition. Too late to really influence the design of the 2002 contender, wind tunnel is expected to have a huge impact on the development of the car as the 2002 season progresses.

After bringing Jaguar its first Trans Am constructor title since 1978, Rocketsports driver Paul Gentilozzi clinched his 3rd Trans Am drivers championship at Houston despite mechanical problems which dropped him from pole to 6th place by the time the race ended.

This is the 3rd Trans Am championship for Paul Gentilozzi who won in 1998 and 1999. In 2000, the first year Trans Am XKR took to the track, he failed to clinch the title after an oil pump failure while leading the final race.

OCt. 25 - First Trans-Am Constructor title for Jaguar since 1978 !

With his fourth win of the season driving a Trans-Am XKR, Paul Gentilozzi clinches the Constructor Championship for Jaguar, the first since Bob Tulius 1978 title won in a V12 XJS. Gentilozzi started from pole at Mid Ohio and led the entire race taking the checkered flag after setting the race fastest lap, earning him the $ 12 500 Simple Green Clean Sweep bonus. Michael Lewis and Johnny Miller brought in their XKRs in 5th and 6th place.

The race was filled with controversy after SCCA / Panoz officials wrongly penalized 2000 champion Mangusta driver Brian Simo for jumping the start when in fact another yellow car had committed the offense. Officials refused to reverse the call despite video evidence and Simo had to serve his 10 seconds stop and go penalty virtually ending his title defense.

With only 2 races left in the season, Gentilozzi is well on the way to win his 3rd Trans Am title and Jaguar's first driver title since Bob Tulius in 1978.

For details on the Trans-Am XKRs visit the Rocketsports Racing site and the Trans-Am series site

Oct 24th - Niki Lauda replaces Bobby Rahal as CEO of Jaguar Racing

In an expected move, Cart champion and Indy winner Bobby Rahal was sacked during a meeting with Jaguar boss Wolfang Reiztle and Premier Performance Division CEO Nicky Lauda; effective immediately, he will be replaced by Niky Lauda himself a triple F1 Champion.

Rahal was hired in december 2000 to turn around the F1 team following a poor first season in 2000. Earlier this year, the three racing divisions ( Jaguar Racing, engine builder Cosworth and electronic supplier PI ) were grouped in one division Premier Performance and headed by Niky Lauda. Over the past few months, both men have repeated that their relationship was good and that they both had different jobs to do.

However, tensions have been rising since Lauda agreed to supply rival team Arrows, owned by TWR's Tom Walkinshaw, with current spec Cosworth engine for the 2002 season, the very same engine used by Jaguar Racing. Then during the Hungary Grand Prix week end, news surfaced that Rahal  tried to sell the team nr one driver, Eddie Irvine, to rival team Jordan after they fired one of their driver in july. Lauda was not aware of the move until discussion were already advanced and imediately put an end to it.

Rahal will head back to the US where he has numerous businesses including a CART team.

Click here for the full Jaguar press release

Oct 18th - Trans Am XKRs sweep at Road America

Once again, Jaguars are shinning on the Trans Am circuit with a clean sweep at Road America on August 18th where Michael Lewis took his first Trans Am win ahead of Johnny Miller and Paul Gentilozzi's XKRs. Jaguars had also dominated qualifiying placing 1 - 2 - 3 on the grid.

In 8 races so far this year, Trans Am XKR's have won 4 times, leading the Manufacturer Championship by 38 points over Chevrolet with 3 races to go. Past series winner Paul Gentilozzi who brought his XKR to 2nd place last year ending Jaguar's 25 year absence from the Trans Am series, is leading the driver's championship with 218 points, ahead of Johnny Miller's XKR with 199 and 2000 champion Brian Simo with 185 in Qvale Magusta. Rounding up the top five is Tommy Archer in a Viper and another XKR in 5th driven by Michael Lewis.

The Trans-Am XKR have little in common with the road going cars beyond the name and familiar shape as they are purpose built race cars with tube chassis and carbon fiber bodies powered by Ford pushrod V8s. However, they proudly carry the Jaguar name back on some of America's race track where in the 70s Jaguar V12 E-types and XJS raced to many victories and titles.

Jaguar Cars has no involvment in the program beyond a series sponsorship program annouced in june.

For details on the Trans-Am XKRs visit the Rocketsports Racing site and the Trans-Am series site

Stock based XKR race car in Australia's Nations Cup

Late in the 2000 season, the Super Cheap Auto Racing team had announced its entry of a Jaguar XKR in the final GTP Nations Cup race at Bathurst but couldn't get the car ready in time to compete. More details are now available on the project which is just as exciting as the car paint scheme.

When the SCAR XKR-T lines up on the grid for the first race of the 2001 Nations Cup it will be the first time in decades that a new Jaguar race car build from a stock road car will compete on the track. Unlike the Trans Am XKR, this cat is the real thing... no tube chassis with carbonfiber shell and no Chevy V8 under the hood !

Built by Jaguar racer / fanatic Mark Trenoweth, the XKR-T started as a real road car in Canada where it was purchased in february 2000. After receiving a roll cage and fuel cell in the US, it was shipped down under where further modifications were done, including installation of a 6 speed manual transmission, racing brakes, intake and exhaust work to increase HP to 410 and special Cosworth racing conrods, needed to use the engine in a racing environment. Little work was done on the body except trimming some weight and installing a front spoiler and large rear wing.

Sadly, Trenoweth received no support from Jaguar despite his large personal investment in the project and his prior experience in racing ( he was Jaguar International Driver of the year in 1985).

One of last step was to paint the car in the flashy colors of the sponsor, Super Cheap, an auto accessory supplier whose boss / race driver Bob Thorn will be driving the car.

The team had hoped they would have the car ready in time for a trial race at the Bathurst circuit in november but despite all their efforts they couldn't get the car ready on time. Last minute tests were hampered by a minor cooling problem so the car will debut in march at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit. The competion ? Vipers, 911s, Ferarris, Corvettes, Diablos, etc...

For more on the series, check out the following links :

Press release on the SCAR team
GTP Nations Cup official site
Jaguar Drivers Club of Queensland racing page with pictures of the car

A big thank you to the Jaguar Drivers Club of Queensland for the permission to use the pictures on this page and Jag-Lovers list member Shane Jarvis for sending us information on this exciting project ! The pictures were taken by JDCQ member Lewis Thomas during the car's first test session

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