The new Jaguar RSR racing car makes its European debut this week
at the 2010 Autosport International at the NEC in Birmingham, UK.
It is the first and only chance for the public to see the stunning
new XKR GT in the metal before it heads back to the US to compete
in the entire 2010 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in North
America.
GT racing legend Paul Gentilozzi is taking a break from a
gruelling development programme to feature the XKR in the largest
dedicated trade motorsport exhibition in Europe. The racecar will
be on display at the Jaguar stand alongside a production model XKR,
XFR, and the fastest Jaguar ever - the Bonneville XFR prototype,
which Paul drove to 225.675 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in
2008.
Jaguar asked the Michigan-based RSR team to help create a race
car to compete in GT2 racing in 2010. The Jaguar engineering and
design teams, based in Coventry, have jointly developed the car
from a standard road-going XKR with the RSR team.
Paul Gentilozzi, Principal Partner JaguarRSR said: "Jaguar is so
intertwined with British motoring history making this a fantastic
opportunity to debut the JaguarRSR XKR GT racecar internationally.
Having our new GT racecar and the Bonneville prototype XFR on
display at the biggest motorsport exhibition in Europe with the
production cars that made these possible is such a great way to
showcase our dedication to the Jaguar brand and to
motorsports."
Before taking stage at the car show, the JaguarRSR XKR GT
visited "home" by making stops at Jaguar headquarter sites in
Whitley and Castle Bromwich in the UK. "It was incredibly exciting
to take the JaguarRSR XKR GT back to the team at Jaguar who worked
so hard to make this dream a reality," added Gentilozzi. "A picture
may be worth a thousand words, but seeing this car in person is
priceless."
The competition car uses the standard Jaguar XKR lightweight
aluminium monocoque together with additional steel reinforcements
and safety structure developed by RSR. The 5.0-litre V-8 engine
boasts 550 horsepower at 7000 rpm and a maximum speed of
180mph.
The RSR Jaguar XKR GT made its racing debut during the Petit Le
Mans event at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, in September
2009. The car took its first green flag in the American Le Mans
Series season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in October and is
set for a fullseason championship effort in 2010.
Mike O'Driscoll, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars said: "Our
designers and engineers have taken the best of our standard
road-going XKR and with Paul Gentilozzi's motorsport expertise
created a first-class competition car. Paul and his RSR team are
confident that they can compete against some serious competition in
the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).
"Motorsport has always been important to the Jaguar brand. Our
domination of Le Mans in the 1950s was a foundation on which the
company was developed. As we look to the future with our new range
of high performance 'R' branded cars, we aim to make the Jaguar
brand synonymous with motorsports once again."
In 1951, the C-type won Le Mans at its first attempt, with a
further victory in 1953. The D-type took Le Mans wins in 1955, 1956
and 1957 while this racing success was followed in 1988 with the
Jaguar XJR-9LM, a V12-powered Group C car. Another outright victory
would follow in 1990 with the Jaguar XJR-12.
RSR Principle Partner Paul Gentilozzi will be in attendance at
Autosport International. Aside from his role as team owner, Paul is
one of the drivers for the #33 JaguarRSR XKR. Meanwhile, the RSR
crew will stay busy with various projects despite the absence of
the #33 car as they continue to prepare for the ALMS Winter Test
February 22 – 23 at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring,
Florida and Season Opener – the 12 Hours of Sebring, March
20.
Jaguar XKR GT2 – technical highlights
- CHASSIS Jaguar XKR bonded and riveted Aluminium monocoque, with
RSR steel reinforcements and safety structure.
- ENGINE Jaguar AJ133 5.0 Litre V-8
- TYRES Yokohama racing slicks
- ENGINE MANAGEMENT Bosch
- DATA ACQUISITION Motec
- SPARK PLUGS Bosch
- BRAKES Brembo 6 Piston Front Calipers on 380mm discs / 4 Piston
Rear Calipers on 350mm discs
- SHOCK ABSORBERS Ohlins DR4
- TRANSMISSION 6 speed Hewland CST Transverse Sequential
Transaxle
- WHEELS BBS 18" 3 piece
- WEIGHT 1245 kg / 2744 lbs
- LENGTH 4790 mm / 188.5 inches
- WIDTH 1996 mm / 78.5 inches
- HORSEPOWER Approximately 550
- RPM 7000
- MAX. SPEED 180 MPH
For further information please contact:
Tim Krieger
Marketing and Public Affairs Manager
Jaguar Australia
Phone: (02) 9020 1505
Email: tkrieger@jaguar.com
Website: www.jaguar.com.au
Narine Salmasi
Marketing and Public Affairs Specialist
Jaguar Australia
Phone: (02) 9020 1507
Email: nsalmasi@jaguar.com
Website: www.jaguar.com.au