XJ40 - Race Car
Discussion
Hiya. Thought some of you on here might like to see 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
Excellent work, really liking that, I'm a big fan of the '40. So, any plans for a Getrag manual 'box conversion then?
I've had five Forties, my current one is a 3.6 manual on which I've modded the suspension - AVO lowering springs, Sport dampers, 300R anti-roll bar, it's very much a road car though.
I've had five Forties, my current one is a 3.6 manual on which I've modded the suspension - AVO lowering springs, Sport dampers, 300R anti-roll bar, it's very much a road car though.
Excellent work there. very nice how you even painted the car before the race prep. despite the fact it "might" get bashed up.
i would love to do something like this. only been to one JEC race at Donnington. my favorite part was walking round the pit, inspecting the cars at close quarters seeing what had been done to each car.
keep us updated on your progress.
i have a manual XJ40 i am keeping just incase one day i can do the same as you.
i would love to do something like this. only been to one JEC race at Donnington. my favorite part was walking round the pit, inspecting the cars at close quarters seeing what had been done to each car.
keep us updated on your progress.
i have a manual XJ40 i am keeping just incase one day i can do the same as you.
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