Jaguar XK heads for GT racing

Chunky new GT3 car nears completion

Apex Motorsport has revealed the first images of its recently announced Jaguar XKR GT3 race car. And you'd have to say that it looks seriously purposeful in race trim.

Apex boss Richard Lloyd has already assembled an experienced squad to develop the XKR headed by team manager Dave Ward who has recently returned from two years in Australia where he had been managing one of the top V8 teams. Ward is joined by another ex-Apex team member Howden Haynes, who's responsible for all design and development work.

Lloyd and business partner Harry Handkammer are currently in talks with a number of teams interested in running in GT3 next year and are delighted by the level of interest this project has generated already.

Meanwhile work continues at the Buckingham race shop with the build of the first XKR chassis nearing roll cage completion. Ward said: “The basic all-aluminium chassis is already immensely rigid so we’re confident that with the addition of the roll cage it will be amongst the best in class.”

The development car is expected to complete its shakedown test in December before moving on to the official FIA tests early next year.

In only its first year the FIA GT3 European Championship has attracted enormous interest from teams and drivers alike and is set for even more success in 2007 with six championship races planned in addition to a non championship opening event supporting the Australian Grand Prix in March.

Jaguar's PR man Stuart Dyble said: “There is a great buzz surrounding the launch of the XKR and this GT3 programme is going to reinforce the sporting credentials of the XK range even further. The XKR is undoubtedly a great looking car and we're very pleased that Apex shares our view that its lightweight body structure is an ideal platform for the series. We're really looking forward to seeing the car run for the first time."