1988 Jaguar XJR-9LM
In 1988, Jaguar won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with an entry of five XJR-9 cars. The winning car, driven by Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace, completed 394 laps and covered a distance of 3313 (5332.79km). This followed Jaguar’s earlier victory at Le Mans when the the winning D-type covered a distance of 2732 miles (4397km) in 1957.
The XJR-9 was manufactured by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) who began racing Jaguars in the European Touring Car Championship. This led to a victory with the the Jaguar XJS that would motivate a new Group C car. TWR partnered with Bob Tullius who had already campaigned several Group C cars under his Group 44 banner in the states. With backing from Jaguar, he had taken the XJR-5 to Le Mans with moderate success. After two attempts, Jaguar turned to the local Tom Walkinshaw for a fresh approach.
With assistance from Tony Southgate, TWR prepared the XJR-6 which would race both in Europe and in the American IMSA series. It was a departure from previous designs, using a full carbon-fiber monocoque and undercarriage venturis. With little success this car was upgraded into the XJR-7 and the XJR-8 which won the 1986 European World Championship, but retired at Le Mans.
By the time the Le Mans-winning design debuted in 1988, TWR already had a 7.0-liter V12 capable of producing 750 bhp. Five cars equipped with this unit were prepared for Le Mans and the factory-backed Porsche 962C competition. Jaguars led from the inception of the race, but two retirements meant only the XKR-9 of Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace was the only car left to take overall honors. Despite a transmission problem, the car was driven only in fourth gear until it finished two laps ahead of the Porsche 962C.
1988 Jaguar XJR-9LM Gallery
In Detail
| type | Racing Car |
| body stylist | Tony Southgate |
| production | 6 |
| engine | 60º V12 |
| position | Mid Longitudinal |
| aspiration | SOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| block material | Aluminum |
| valvetrain | 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | Zytek Fuel Injection |
| displacement | 6995 cc / 426.86 in³ |
| bore | 94 mm / 3.7 in |
| stroke | 84 mm / 3.3 in |
| compression | 12.0:1 |
| power | 559.3 kw / 750 bhp @ 7200 rpm |
| specific output | 107.22 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 851.31 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 828 nm / 610.7 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm |
| body / frame | Kevlar & Carbon Fibre Monocoque |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | Dunlop Denloc Racing |
| rear tires | Dunlop Denloc Racing |
| front brakes | Carbon Fiber Discs w/AP Racing Calipers |
| rear brakes | Carbon Fiber Discs w/AP Racing Calipers |
| steering | Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Inboard Coil Springs over Dampers |
| r suspension | Double Wishbones w/Inboard Coil Springs over Dampers |
| curb weight | 881 kg / 1942 lbs |
| length | 4780 mm / 188.2 in |
| width | 2000 mm / 78.7 in |
| height | 1030 mm / 40.6 in |
| transmission | March/TWR 5-Speed Manual |
| top speed | ~394.20 kph / 245 mph |
| key drivers | Martin Brundle, Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries, Andy Wallace |
| race victories | 1988 Daytona 24 Hours, 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans |
Auction Sales History
image: http://www.supercars.net/gallery/119513/3220/1099965small.jpg
1988 Jaguar XJR-9 TWR-J12C-388 – sold for $2,145,000 Winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1990. Placed 2nd overall at seven IMSA events, including the 1989 24 Hours of Daytona. Podium finishes at the 1989 and 1990 12 Hours of Sebring. The sole remaining example of two purpose-built, IMSA-specification XJR-9s ever built. Presented in truly stunning condition; restored and maintained regardless of cost. Fantastic, fully detailed history and memorabilia included with the sale. Extensive available s… read more
Auction Source: 2015 Amelia Island by RM Sotheby’s
Read more at http://www.supercars.net/cars/891.html#3351KRSf3TiKfL98.99
