Friday 5th February 2010

Pic Of The Week: Jaguar's Le Mans Legends

Jaguar XKR RSR marks return of a legendary name to Le Mans

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Among the many opportunities for the cheering-on of 'plucky Brits' that the official 2010 entry list for Le Mans, published this week, reveals is the comeback of Jaguar to La Sarthe.

The Leaping Cat has a fine history at Le Mans, having thus far claimed a total of seven outright victories with the C-type, D-type, and the outrageously fast Group C XJR-9 and XJR-12.

But Jaguar hasn't been represented at Le Mans since the GT1 XJ220 DNF-ed back in 1995, so it's great to see that a Jag is heading back to the Circuit de la Sarthe and the RSR XKR GT (check out the spec here) is a fine machine to be wearing the legendary badge.

Okay, so the team is a US-run outfit with two Americans and a Belgian behind the wheel, and Jaguar itself is now owned by an Indian company, but Jaguars still feel as British as a wet Bank Holiday Monday and the art of queuing.

Plus it's given Jaguar the opportunity to wheel out some of its Le Mans old hands and to take this publicity shot of the RSR XKR alongside a C-type, a D-type and an XJR-9 LM - and for that we are certainly most grateful.

So let's get out the Dambusters theme music and those last-night-of-the-proms flags this June and wave on the Jag to GT2 victory.

Oh, and don't forget that your patriotic Le Mans fervour can also be used to support Nigel Mansell and sons, a Phalanx of Aston Martins (LMP1, GT1 and GT2,) Andy Priaulx, and Allan McNish, to name just a few...

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[White-Noise]

Fantastic! Dont suppose there are any more of these snaps in hi res about?

[McAndy]

That is gorgeous! Makes me feel like standing at a bus stop in the rain just for the sense of pride!

[Don1]

New one hasn't hit legend status yet.... but I'll forgive you!

[wildman0609]

it looks good but Le mans will be an epic fail.

gt2 will be between Porsche Ferrari Corvette and BMW.

the Aston won't be at the front in gt2 either

[ceebmoj]

shame the prity cars are at the back

[Oddball RS]

Its not in the same league as the other cars in the photo, but i can confidently say it will finish in front of the BMW's ;-)

[vetteheadracer]

Olly Gavin in the GT2 Corvette is also a Brit.

I spoke to Paul Gentilozzi at the Autosports Show and he has high hopes for the car, it has a very interesting rear wing design with the struts attaching to the top rather than the bottom which actually makes sense as the rear surface of a rear wing is the bit doing the work. Will be interesting to see and hear the Jag at Le Mans.........it is a massive car when you stand next to it BTW.

[soad]

Nice, C-Type is simply gorgeous!

[cvegas]

Great to see Spyker and Aston Martin Vantage in the list.

[stuninho]

Is there a "pic of the week" page with previous pic of the weeks available? I've searched but cannot find...

[dinkel]

Will drop a few D-types here this weekend.

[Garlick]

stuninho said:

Is there a "pic of the week" page with previous pic of the weeks available? I've searched but cannot find...

Type POTW/ Picture of the Week into the search box on the home page

Or see here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=285266637674...

[chimaera5.0]

Shame TVR are no longer competing as a Tuscan in full racing trim looks just as sexy. Love the paint scheme though. As it British taxpayers who have bailed an Indian owned Jaguar car company out of the mire I suppose we have to support their effort. Why the British government could not back a Russian owned former British car company is beyond me. Maybe too many Fat Ministers drive Jags and not real British performance cars such as Noble,TVR, Invicta,Marcos,Astons,etc.

[dinkel]

Zieglers' oops moment.


Eastick D.


. . . As featured in Octane.

[M Powered]

chimaera5.0 said:

...As it British taxpayers who have bailed an Indian owned Jaguar car company out of the mire...

by offering a 6 month loan at 12%! I don't think so. As I recall Tata politely declined the Lord Mandelsaurus' offer.

[vintageracer01]

dinkel said:

Zieglers' oops moment.


Eastick D.


. . . As featured in Octane.

Wonderful pictures !!!!
THANKS for that !!

[vintageracer01]

What a superb pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks a lot for that !!!!!!!!!

[FraserLFA]

http://www.zercustoms.com/photos/Jaguar-RSR-XKR-GT...

Just if you guys are interested.

Also, Does the XKR have a condensation issue with it's light? Or is it just me?

[dinkel]

[Jester RX-8]

That car will suffer quite a bit from condensation it's being displayed outside in the wet humid weather all the time, as there are perspex covers over the headlamps to keep the bodywork flush over the widened wings. All should be okay at race pace even taking into account the typical LeMans weekend weather!



Here's another pic. Check out the massive wing! Didn't quite get the side exit exhausts in, but they were cool. Looking forward to seeing flames being spat out the side of the car at night. EPIC!