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1990 Jaguar Twr Xjr-11

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1990 Jaguar Twr Xjr-11 1990 JAGUAR TWR XJR-11 D E T A I L S Year: 1990 Conguration: RHD Engine: 3500 cc Price: SOLD D E S C R I P T I O N 1990 Jaguar XJR-11 Chassis 490 This important Jaguar is one of just three XJR-11 World Sportscar Prototype Championship cars and the most successful example. Despite dominating the 1988 World Championship and winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it was becoming clear that the normally aspirated V12-engined TWR Jaguars were gradually losing competitiveness, especially in view of the shorter sprint events that FISA were introducing. Cars powered by the latest turbocharged engines, which were lighter and more compact, were gaining the upper hand and in response TWR JaguarSport (a collaboration of Walkinshaw's TWR and Jaguar) started the development of a purpose-built V6 engine for the 1989 season. The design allowed for two variants; a 3-litre engine for the American IMSA series and a 3.5 litre Group C specication for the World Championship. To accommodate the more compact dimensions of the new V6, JaguarSport's Tony Southgate also designed an all- new chassis, which would be known as the XJR-10 for the IMSA series and the XJR11 for the Group C entries. The new engine was a thoroughly modern V6 with twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Of all-aluminium construction it weighed just 143 kg and was tted with two Garrett turbochargers, which boosted the power to around 750 bhp in the 3.5 Litre Group C specication engines. The engine was mated to a ve-speed gearbox that served as a fully stressed structural member and helped stiffen the new chassis, which was essentially an evolution of the successful XJR-6/8/9 carbon bre monocoque. Suspension was by double wishbones with the front springs and dampers actuated by pushrods and the rears mounted outboard. This unconventional setup freed up more space for the ground-effect tunnels, which signicantly improved downforce and handling. Indeed such was the improvement that many racing drivers have subsequently commented that a Group C Jaguar offers an unparalleled driving experience. While the XJR-10 debuted at Lime Rock in May of 1989, the Group C specication XJR-11 had its rst race at Brands Hatch in July and expectations were high when the car of Jan Lammers and Patrick Tambay qualied in pole position. However, like its IMSA counterpart, the XJR-11s faced stiff competition from the Sauber-Mercedes team with their hugely powerful V8-engined 'Silver Arrows' and could do no better than 5th. Sadly this disappointment was to be a recurring theme during the 89 season as the team was dogged by misfortune for most of the year. In spite of considerable improvements undertaken by TWR and Jaguar, the 1990 season started no better with a disappointing result at Suzuka. The next race on 29th April was held at Monza and saw the debut of the third and last XJR-11, chassis 490, which was driven by Martin Brundle and Alain Ferte who managed to secure a highly creditable 3rd place against the formidable Mercedes C11s. This performance encouraged Walkinshaw, who was condent that the XJR-11’s superior handling would have greater impact on other lower-speed circuits, such as Silverstone, the location for the next round of the Championship. For this race Chassis 490 had its wide-track nose tted and it appears that Walkinshaw’s earlier condence was well-placed with Brundle and Ferte taking 1st place in chassis 490 and TWR JaguarSport securing a one-two victory in front of a jubilant home crowd. The success of Silverstone was unfortunately not to be repeated at Spa, but Brundle and Ferte had manged a 3rd in qualifying before their race was curtailed by an electrical re. The next appearance for chassis 490 was at Dijon, where Brundle, fresh from his Le Mans victory, qualied 2nd and nished 5th. In August the car was re-numbered and raced at the Nurburgring as chassis 1190. This entry brought another 3rd place, a result which Brundle and Ferte appeared to have repeated at Donington until they were frustratingly disqualied for a refuelling error. The last two races of the 1990 season at Montreal and Mexico City were similarly plagued by misfortune but the car elded strong performances in qualifying with a grid position of 3rd at Montreal and a pole position at Mexico City. In spite of the disappointments over the year, TWR JaguarSport still nished as runners up in the team championship, which was due in large part to the successes achieved by Brundle and Ferte in chassis 490 / 1190. Indeed, if a small number of unforeseen events had gone Jaguars way, it is conceivable that they would have nished the season as overall champions. Following rule changes for the 1991 season, which prohibited turbocharged engines, the XJR- 11s were replaced by the F1-inspired, V8-engined XJR-14s, and Chassis 1190 subsequently moved to the All Japanese Sportscar Prototype Championship where it reverted to its old chassis number 490 and raced with the livery of its sponsor Suntec. Over the course of the 91 season the car was entered into six races, three of which were at Fuji and two at Suzuka and Sugo where it secured 6th and 7th places against strong competition. After the 1991 season chassis 490 was restored by TWR and sold to a private collection where it was carefully maintained before re-entering Historic Group C racing in the 2000s where it competed with much success. The car was retired in 2010 and has subsequently received a full JD Classics rebuild and restoration from the monocoque up, which is currently nearing completion. It now provides a wonderful opportunity to acquire a correct and historically important TWR Jaguar that secured its type’s only win and was driven by the top Sportscar drivers of its time. Offered in fantastic condition, this race-ready car would be an excellent contender for Patrick Peter’s Historic Group C Series in 2017 and would be sure to be a strong front runner. Please contact us for further details. SOLD Period race history 1990 Drivers: Brundle, Ferte, Lammers Chassis number: 490 Monza: 3rd Place Silverstone: 1st Place Spa: DNF Dijon: 5th Place Re-numbered 1190 for the remainder of the season. Nurburgring: 3rd Place Donington: 3rd Place Montreal: DNF Mexico City: DNF 1991 Drivers: Nielson, Martini, Krosnoff Reverted back to chassis number 490 for 1991 All Japan Sportscar Series Fuji: DNF Fuji: DNF Suzuka: DNF Sugo: 6th Place Fuji: 7th Place .
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