Jaguar's new XKR Coupé is being revealed, in the 'flesh',
for the first time at the Autosport International Show today.
Buckingham-based Apex Motorsport, under the direction of Richard
Lloyd, has developed the stunning XKR model for use in the FIA GT3
European Championship. It is being revealed to the world's
motorsport media, at what is recognised to be globally one of the
biggest and most successful motorsport shows.
Lloyd and Apex have enjoyed huge racing success in the past,
most recently with Bentley with whom they won the 2003 24 Hours of
Le Mans. "It was obvious to us that the Jaguar name was missing
from the list of GT3 contenders," said Lloyd. "We believe the new
XKR has great potential for success, and Team Manager Dave Ward and
the guys have been working flat out since receiving our first car
at the end of September. We've still got a mountain to climb with
roll out and first test scheduled to take place within the next
five weeks and, of course, the first race of the season at
Silverstone in May. The first car is sold and we have received very
positive interest for another two so we're confident there will be
plenty of Jaguars in the FIA paddock and in other emerging GT3
series around the world."
While Apex has Jaguar's blessing to compete with the XKR GT3,
this is not a factory motorsport programme and the Apex race
activities are independent of Jaguar. At the time of the
programme's announcement in September, Stuart Dyble, Jaguar Board
Director and Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs,
Premier Automotive Group and Ford of Europe, said, "We welcome this
initiative which will result in production Jaguar sportscars being
seen once again on race circuits across Europe. We have just
launched the all new Jaguar XKR road car, and GT3 is the natural
race series in which to compete."
The Jaguar XKR GT3, featuring a 4.2 litre V8 supercharged
engine, retains the aluminium body of its production cousin, but
has had modifications made in line with the regulations. The
definitive specification will be revealed following the official
FIA track tests, the first of which takes place at Monza on
February 22/23.
The first car to be built by Apex Motorsport has already been
sold to Stuart Scott, Managing Director of East Anglia's most
successful travel management company, Cambridge Business Travel.
Scott, who has most recently been racing in the British GT Cup,
will be driving the Jaguar in a programme of six events with a
yet-to-be-named co-driver. He said of his involvement, "I feel
privileged to be here at the beginning of this project. In my
racing past I have always tried to do something that's a 'first' or
a bit different, and to take delivery of the first XKR race car is
a dream come true. I've been aware of Richard and Apex for a long
time and to now be part of such a professional team is
wonderful."
The FIA GT3 European Championship is already a very marketable
racing series for teams and manufacturers, using sexy coupés
that are closer to their road-car origins and therefore less
expensive to build and to run. The series captured the imaginations
and interest of competitors and fans alike in its inaugural 2006
season with some 40 entries, and looks set to be strengthened
further with the addition of Jaguars to the starting line up. Each
manufacturer is represented by up to six entries ensuring a fair
distribution of honours, and the performance between the different
marques is balanced by the use of success penalties. Entry is aimed
at gentlemen and non professional drivers graded by the FIA via a
combination of racing experience and age.
The five round Championship begins in May at Silverstone, then
travels to Bucharest (ROM), Monza (I) and Brno (CZ) in Europe
before finishing in Dubai in November. Some owners may also plan on
entering the non Championship GT3 race within the Spa 24 Hours
event in Belgium at the end of July.
For further information please contact:
Guido Schenken
Public Relations Department
Jaguar Australia
Phone: (02) 9020 1517
Email: gschenk4@jaguar.com
Website: www.jaguar.com.au