Paris Motor Show 2008Paris Motor Show, 4-19th October 2008

Jaguar XJR9

Jaguar and Le Mans have a long history with D and E Types racing in the '50s and '60s, but the leaping cat's most recent outright victory was in 1988 with the XJR9. It took Jaguar four years to build up to its victory, the Coventry firm starting its campaign in 1984 with the American Group 44 Team. The XJR9 was developed by Tom Walkinshaw Racing, TWR running Jaguar's successful European Touring Car efforts. The 750bhp V12 powered XJR9 was raced successfully worldwide in 1988, but Jaguar brought five cars to Le Mans desperate for a win. It happened, the lead car followed by its sister cars in fourth and sixteenth. The other two cars retired.

A hugely popular victory, Jaguar's return to Le Mans was an enormous success. Many now think it's time that the firm took up the challenge again and headed back over to the famous circuit with a new challenger for ultimate honours in the famous 24-hour event.

Wednesday June 18

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