Jaguar XJ40-R Race Car Project
Discussion
Hiya. Thought I'd post up a thread on the progress of my Jag race car which has its first race next weekend at Snetterton.
It started middle of last year, I had been talking about it with the old man but we were never in a position to go for it, but things changed and we decided to build a car and enter the JEC saloon championship. Obviously I've done the background stuff, race transport, trailer, race licence etc and it's not cheap
but this is about the car. Built 90% by Simon Seath Jaguar, massive help!
First of all, £800 bought us this, it had been laid up in Simons yard but we knew it ran and it was an XJR so has the quicker rack, bigger shocks, and jaguar sport bits on the engine so a few little bonuses.
It was looking sorry for itself, first things first, gut it!
The seats weighed a bloody ton, sold the whole interior to a local chap. Next job, make sure it's solid.
The sills were bad, so all new metal was put in, sunroof was taken out and it was covered up using a donor car for a new bonnet and boot as well. Staying with the colour as I like it
New arches as well, then treated and painted
Next job, full cage install
Passenger seat was just for track day, but quickly removed as it didn't work well
New discs, pads, callipers, lines and fluid. New drivers FIA seat and harness as well
Toyo tires were fitted (as required for the race series) to 17" XJR wheels. Car is still automatic, this will change soon just need to get a good box and also a race out the way so we know the engine is ok. All new oil, plugs etc. New top mount bushes, but other than that the suspension is still standard. Next was a track day to test the at Brands Hatch, and it performed great. In fact Simon said it was braking and turning in better than his own XJS. So very happy it performed well.
It really is a case of doing everything properly, not with aesthetics in mind. The idea is to improve as we go, and fix what brakes.
After track day, we plumbed in the fire extinguisher, tidied electrics and fitted the cut offs. Finished off some small jobs, moved battery to the boot and fingers crossed she's ready
Next up date will be after my first race (bloody excited and also apprehensive)
Cheers
It started middle of last year, I had been talking about it with the old man but we were never in a position to go for it, but things changed and we decided to build a car and enter the JEC saloon championship. Obviously I've done the background stuff, race transport, trailer, race licence etc and it's not cheap
but this is about the car. Built 90% by Simon Seath Jaguar, massive help!First of all, £800 bought us this, it had been laid up in Simons yard but we knew it ran and it was an XJR so has the quicker rack, bigger shocks, and jaguar sport bits on the engine so a few little bonuses.
It was looking sorry for itself, first things first, gut it!
The seats weighed a bloody ton, sold the whole interior to a local chap. Next job, make sure it's solid.
The sills were bad, so all new metal was put in, sunroof was taken out and it was covered up using a donor car for a new bonnet and boot as well. Staying with the colour as I like it
New arches as well, then treated and painted
Next job, full cage install
Passenger seat was just for track day, but quickly removed as it didn't work well
New discs, pads, callipers, lines and fluid. New drivers FIA seat and harness as well
Toyo tires were fitted (as required for the race series) to 17" XJR wheels. Car is still automatic, this will change soon just need to get a good box and also a race out the way so we know the engine is ok. All new oil, plugs etc. New top mount bushes, but other than that the suspension is still standard. Next was a track day to test the at Brands Hatch, and it performed great. In fact Simon said it was braking and turning in better than his own XJS. So very happy it performed well.
It really is a case of doing everything properly, not with aesthetics in mind. The idea is to improve as we go, and fix what brakes.
After track day, we plumbed in the fire extinguisher, tidied electrics and fitted the cut offs. Finished off some small jobs, moved battery to the boot and fingers crossed she's ready
Next up date will be after my first race (bloody excited and also apprehensive)
Cheers
Cheers guys
Yes it's certainly not the first thing you'd think of racing, but the idea of hurling it around the track with other big jags is appealing, and the old man is a big Jag man so for him to help finance it I need him to have some genuine interest
The S6 should only make 220-40bhp on a good day. I'm in class A so it has to be very close to road going engine wise with only breathing modifications or factory parts allowed. Next on the list after manual box will be to remove a few silencers to get it sounding like some of the others in the series
Yes it's certainly not the first thing you'd think of racing, but the idea of hurling it around the track with other big jags is appealing, and the old man is a big Jag man so for him to help finance it I need him to have some genuine interest
The S6 should only make 220-40bhp on a good day. I'm in class A so it has to be very close to road going engine wise with only breathing modifications or factory parts allowed. Next on the list after manual box will be to remove a few silencers to get it sounding like some of the others in the series
Well first race weekend was what can only be described as epic. Sun out all weekend, BBQ in the pits, greta bunch of lads, excellent banter....oh and some brilliant racing. Car performed really well. Having an auto was a big disadvantage but my best lap times were as follows, bearing in mind my first time @ Snetterton 
Qualifying 2.56 (Second to last, in front of the other newbie)
Race 1 -2.41 (Finished where I started) Started to get a better feel for the car and the correct lines to take
Race 2 -2.36 (More fun than the first, was a second off one of the other drivers)
Car wouldn't rev out in 3rd or 4th and kept short shifting, but I can't complain as the brakes were spot on, nothing fell off, it never overheated and in general did me proud
Sleeping in a van was an experience though, first night I couldn't feel my face so I promptly bought a double duvet for the next day and cocooned my self in this which worked wonders
Next race is Silverstone. Pictures to follow of last weekend also
Cheers
Qualifying 2.56 (Second to last, in front of the other newbie)
Race 1 -2.41 (Finished where I started) Started to get a better feel for the car and the correct lines to take
Race 2 -2.36 (More fun than the first, was a second off one of the other drivers)
Car wouldn't rev out in 3rd or 4th and kept short shifting, but I can't complain as the brakes were spot on, nothing fell off, it never overheated and in general did me proud
Sleeping in a van was an experience though, first night I couldn't feel my face so I promptly bought a double duvet for the next day and cocooned my self in this which worked wonders
Next race is Silverstone. Pictures to follow of last weekend also
Cheers
very cool project mate!
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