Great Drive in the Jaguar XJR-15

[NormanD]

BoxerF50 said:

One trick I have just learned is to keep on the brakes slightly at turn in on higher speed corners.
It forces the front end down and you get a bit more bite. It offsets the natural understeer.

That's a trick I was taught, brake hard right into the corner
All the weight is on the front wheels

You can more or less do a U Turn on full lock with verry little effort


Remember though to carry a spare pair of nickers for the girlfriend/wife/or tart in the passenger seat

[a8hex]

Surely the last part of the last comment would be an oxymoron

[NormanD]

a8hex said:

Surely the last part of the last comment would be an oxymoron

Oxymoron:

The conjunction of words which, at first view seem to be contradictory or incongruous, but whose surprising juxtaposition expresses a truth

[BoxerF50]

I prodded the beast into life again on Sunday. First time "15" had seen the open road in far too many weeks. Even coaxed #1 son into coming out with me. Despite the long slumber, oil pressure came right up on the pre start procedure, and it fired up on the first flick of the ignition toggle switch. Next came the extended warming up before heading out. On the 15, you need to hold the revs at 2000 rpm and wait for the water temp to reach 70-80 degrees before hitting the road. It would make for a horrible getaway car. Everything warmed up right on cue and we were off on a 20 mile loop to give it a decent run. The "15" continues to get better the more it is driven, and the more you drive it, the more everything comes together. It is not a car you will bond with in a day or two, more like a long term relationship that develops over many months. When it all come together and everything flows smoothly, it is a unique exhilarating car to drive, really unlike anything else I have ever owned. As you roll down the road, all your senses are constantly engaged (or better be if you want to stay on the road). Raw, very fast, high strung, and beautifully designed for what it was made to do. One thing that struck me at the end of the drive when we were stopped and I took a moment to look around the cabin, was how it reminded me of sitting in a fighter plane cockpit. It is tight but not uncomfortable, everything clearly marked and easy to read, good visibility forward and to both sides, and all the controls within easy reach and operatable with a minimum of movement. Changing gears in particular is done really with nothing more than a flick of the wrist.

[BoxerF50]

Just sent the XJR-15 off to get a new fuel cell installed. Not a small job as a lot of the car needs to be taken apart to gain access.

[BoxerF50]

BoxerF50 said:

Just sent the XJR-15 off to get a new fuel cell installed. Not a small job as a lot of the car needs to be taken apart to gain access.

A few pictures from the service. It is being done at Carrs Ferrari in Exeter. Head mechanic is brilliant.

Edited by BoxerF50 on Saturday 13th August 18:57

[Straight6DOHC]

I appreciate your posts BX. It's very seldom I'll get to see these parts of this type of car. Nice one.
Like I said, appreciated.

[lowdrag]

I remember the 90's race series, and seeing so many cars at XK Engineering being rebuilt due to accidents (the handling reputed to be rather iffy on the limit). Tiff Needell was there one day, and his comment will always stick in my mind.

"The only car I've raced that understeers on the straight"!

Still, all said and done, a truly epic car and mucho collectable. Envy and respect.

[BoxerF50]

Straight6DOHC said:

I appreciate your posts BX. It's very seldom I'll get to see these parts of this type of car. Nice one.
Like I said, appreciated.

Thanks.

[hurstg01]

Dragging this back up, anyone got any scans of this weeks Autosport magazine, with the 4 page article on the XJR-15?; first 2 pages are of the races and history for the car, and final 2 pages show what makes the car.

http://plus.autosport.com/free/feature/3833/magazi...

[BoxerF50]

hurstg01 said:

Dragging this back up, anyone got any scans of this weeks Autosport magazine, with the 4 page article on the XJR-15?; first 2 pages are of the races and history for the car, and final 2 pages show what makes the car.

http://plus.autosport.com/free/feature/3833/magazi...

I will definitely try to pick up a copy today.

[BoxerF50]

Got a copy, will scan and post it on Monday.

[BoxerF50]

The XJR-15 is back from service now. As usual Mark, Harvey and the guys at Carrs in Exeter did a great job. "15" is running extremely well now and we were out for about a 45 minute drive today. With the new fuel cell in place, the rather horrid petrol odor that used to waft through the cockpit is gone. This instantly makes the drivers seat a much more pleasant place to be now. It is still a wonderful physical car to drive and when you get it "right" it all comes together beautifully. The more time spent behind the wheel, the better the car drives. It feels like it is "sticking" to the road better which just serves to increase the drivers confidence and enjoyment. Add in all the sensory stimulus coming from both the engine and drive train and it makes for a great pure driving experience. Net net, todays drive was a great one .

[pmutch]

Boxer - you mentioned earlier about the lack of support from Jaguar , this seems to be a common theme with English manufacturers as have experienced the same with AM when it comes to assistance with my Vanquish.For you , the good news is that you dont need the factory......

Don Miles bought all the rights to XJR15 when TWR when down , this includes all blueprints , moulds etc in fact everything to make a complete car which was exactly what i saw when i last visited Don.He seems to be a really nice chap , ran an XJR5 in the group C revival series and certainly helped me out when it came to re-building a 7 litre jaguar engine.

So if you need parts or advice he'd be the first person i'd contact.

[BoxerF50]

pmutch said:

Boxer - you mentioned earlier about the lack of support from Jaguar , this seems to be a common theme with English manufacturers as have experienced the same with AM when it comes to assistance with my Vanquish.For you , the good news is that you dont need the factory......

Don Miles bought all the rights to XJR15 when TWR when down , this includes all blueprints , moulds etc in fact everything to make a complete car which was exactly what i saw when i last visited Don.He seems to be a really nice chap , ran an XJR5 in the group C revival series and certainly helped me out when it came to re-building a 7 litre jaguar engine.

So if you need parts or advice he'd be the first person i'd contact.

Many thanks for the advice. Do you have a contact number or email address for Don Miles?

I originally thought Don Law owned all the moulds but I guess that is for the XJ220 only.

[listerxjs]

Boxer - please pm me and will be able to pass over both contact number and address.

[BoxerF50]

Went in convoy with 5 XJ220's up to Silverstone a few weekends ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3Q5ExlfMp8

[hurstg01]

Nice!

I like this vid too, from one of the XJ220's...

[BoxerF50]

hurstg01 said:

Nice!

I like this vid too, from one of the XJ220's...

+1, on the XJ220 video. First time I have seen what the XJR-15 looks like on the road.

[BoxerF50]

hurstg01 said:

Nice!

I like this vid too, from one of the XJ220's...

This one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOBRS4JSm_E&fea...