The 1980's saw the return to racing glory for Jaguar. From the great efforts of Group 44 in the early part of the decade, TWR built on that foundation to bring Jaguar to the winners podium again at both Daytona and Le Mans in 1988 and 1990. They would continue to see great achievement in World Sports Car (IMSA and Group C) in the 80's and 90's, becoming World Sports Car Champions in 1987, 88, & 90. As they were in the mid-50's, it was a time when Jaguar was again on top of the racing world.
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| 1984 XJR-5: Lee Dykstra penned the great lines of the XJR-5. With Jaguar support, Group 44 developed the car for IMSA racing in the USA, followed by the modified and further developed cars which ran at Le Mans in 1984 & 85. Powered by 6.0L, stock block, mid-engine V12, ultimately producing 650 bhp, this engine would be the basis for the great Jaguar prototype cars and Le Mans winners to come. Brian Redman and Doc Bundy drove this car (Ch#006)to the win at the Miami 3 Hr. Model by STARTER 1/43 |
1984 XJR-5: Successful SCCA racer Bob Tullius and his Group 44 team brought Jaguar back to the Sarthe circuit after a twenty year absence in 1984. The XJR-5 proved to be a very competitive car, with top speeds comparable to the Porsche and Lancia competition. Car #40 (Chassis 008) driven by John Watson, Tony Adamowicz & Claude Ballot-Lena retired due to an accident as a result of a flat tire. Click here for an interesting website on Tony Adamowicz's career. Model by MILESTONE MINIATURES 1/43 |
1984 XJR-5: The second team car at Le Mans in 1984, driven by Brian Redman, Doc Bundy and Bob Tullius in the GTP class. Powered by the 6.0L SOHC V12 Jaguar engine, the XJR-5 produced 650 bhp and had a top speed of 217 mph. The car retired after 21 hrs and being in 6th place, due to gearbox troubles. In my opinion, this is one, if not the best looking of the Group 6/GTP cars of that era. Model by Bizarre 1/43 |
1984 XJR-5: One of 30 factory built cars by AMR in 1984. Model by AMR 1/43 |
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| 1985 XJR-5: Bob Tullius, Chip Robinson and Claude Ballot-Lena drove Chassis 008 to 13th place at the 1985 Le Mans despite engine trouble. This was the swan song for Group 44 at Le Mans. Although they continued in IMSA in 1986 with little success, TWR was already providing Jaguar with wins in Europe and would become the sole Jaguar backed team for 1987, setting the stage for great Jaguar victories to come. Model by BIZARRE 1/43 |
1985 XJR-5: A larger scale model of the 1985 Le Mans car, ready for night driving as the covers have been taken off the lights. Since Le Mans was run over public roads that were closed for the event, additional debris thrown up by other cars played havoc with lights and windscreens. Many teams, especially those whose cars had a low frontal area protected the lights, preserving them for night driving as much as possible. Model by AUTOBARN 1/18 |
1986 XJR-7: After close second place finishes at Laguna Seca, Mid-Ohio and Portland, the team of Bob Tullius and Chip Robinson won the 1986 IMSA season finale, winning the 3 hr. race at Daytona. The 1987 season would not be as successful. The XJR-7 was the last Lee Dykstra designed Group 44 car before he went to work for TWR and Jaguar. It was a completely redesigned car. Group 44 team achieved some great successes, yet the team has always been underestimated. The Group 44 team remains one of the most successful teams in SCCA and IMSA racing. Model by PROVENCE MOULAGE 1/43 |
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| 1985 XJR-5: The GTP Class winning XJR-5 at Le Mans in 1985. This was a special run of 44 models made by The Jaguar Model Club, based on the Profil24 kit, it was handbuilt by Ian Burkinshaw of Pro Models. Unfortunately, about 20 were destroyed in a flood, making the actual number around 24 produced. Model by JAGUAR MODEL CAR CLUB 1/24 |
Road Atlanta 1985: The group 44 team placed 1st and 2nd at the IMSA Road Atlanta 500 Km at Road Atlanta during the 1985 season. This picture from my collection has been signed by all four team drivers, Hurley Haywood, Brian Redman, BoB Tullius and Chip Robinson. |
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| 1980 XJS: Bob Tullius won the IMSA championship driving a XJS in 1978, Jaguar the manufacturer's title. Group 44 efforts turned to the XJR prototypes, IMSA and Le Mans in the early 80's. This XJS is a "what if" exercise. I constructed this car based on what could have been, if Group 44 raced in the ETCC alongside the TWR cars featured below. If the same success had carried over from IMSA, would Jaguar have put all their backing behind TWR? Model by ROAD SIGNATURE 1/18 |
1982 XJS: Bob Tullius, Bill Adam and Gordon Smiley drove this Group 44 entry at the Daytona 24 hours in 1982. Daytona was the tune-up for the Trans-Am series which Smiley intended to run in the car. Too modified to be eligible for the GTO class, itwas moved to the GTP class, against the Porsche 935s, Lola T600s, etc.. It finished 6th in class and 21st overall. The plan to run the Trans-Am was dropped when Smiley was killed at Indianapolis. Model by PROVENCE MOULAGE 1/43 |
See our Group 44, Inc. page at: CLICK HERE
THE TWR ERA BEGINS
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| 1983 XJ-S: From the beginning in 1982, the XJ-S demonstrated its potential to be a dominant force in ETCC racing. Jaguar began its open support of the TRW effort in the ETCC in 1983, TWR fielded two cars that season, the team taking six wins and several podium finishes. This car is in the livery as raced by Chuck Nicholson and Tom Walkinshaw at the Monza 500 Km race in 1983. Leading from pole position, they finished second. Model by ROBUSTELLI 1/43 |
1984 XJ-S: Tom Walkinshaw's TWR racing had Jaguar factory support for their European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) campaign. They were not underfinanced and had the luxury of ample development time that the dogged the XJC project with Broadspeed a few years before. The approach TWR took to racing guaranteed the best performance, development and preparation. The result being numerous wins during the 1982-84 ETCC seasons. The pinnacle perhaps was winning the prestigious 1984 Spa 24 hour race with Tom Walkinshaw, Hans Heyer & Win Percy driving. Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43 |
1985 XJ-S: John Goss and Armin Hahne drove to an impressive first place finish at the James Hardie 1000 at Bathhurst in Australia. The TWR team finished 1st and 3rd, spoiling BMW's bid for domination at this long race. Goss and Hahne set fastest lap in the process. TWR won seven races during the 1984 season and won the ETCC Championship, sealing the deal with Jaguar to field a Group C car in 1985 and subsequent Jaguar wins at Le Mans in 1988 and 1990. Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43 |
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| 1985 XJR-6: The TWR venture into Group C racing began in the latter part of the 1985 season. Powered by Jaguar's 6.2L V12 engine the two team cars showed the promise of what was to come. At Mosport this car (Chassis 285) finished 3rd in its debut. The rest of the season the cars went through various teething problems, but managed a second place finish at the last race in Malaysia. This is the car in the Spa 1000 Km livery and was driven by Mike Thackwell, Jean-Louis Schlesser and Hans Heyer, but retired early due to handling problems. Model by AMR 1/43 |
1985 XJR-6: Mike Thackwell and Martin Brundle drove the XJR-6 in its first race at Mosport in August 1985. This car (Ch# TWR-J12C-185) was the first XJR-6 built. They proved the potential of theXJR-6, by placing the car thrid on the grid and thundering into the lead on the first lap. They held the lead for nine laps before wheel bearing failure sidelined the car. The duo took over the second team car at Mosport and finished the race in 3rd position, an excellent debut for the TWR Jaguar's against the might of Porsche. Delays in getting the cars finished and tested limited the number of races in 1985, but good finishes at Spa and Malaysia gave the nod of great things to come. Model by PROVENCE MOULAGE 1/43 |
1986-1988 XJR-6LM: With the promise the TWR demonstrated in Group C racing came sponsorship interest from the Gallaher Group to promote their Silk Cut tobacco products. The car's design was enhanced to give it the more familiar profile of the XJR-6LM and 8LM cars. This is one is in early testing livery. Next stop, Le Mans! Model by IXO 1/43 |
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| XJR-6LM (Le Mans, 1986): This car (Chassis #286), driven by Eddie Cheever, Derek Warwick and Jean-Louis Schlesser was in 6th place when a puncture caused suspension damage and the car retired on lap 239, unable to replicate their win at Silverstone a month prior.. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
XJR-6LM (Le Mans,1986): 1986 was the first full season of participation by The TWR in the World Sportscar Prototype Championship (Group C). The team fielded three cars at Le Mans. Hurley Haywood, Brian Redman and Hans Heyer drove this car (Chassis #186), but retired with fuel pump failure. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
XJR-6LM (Le Mans, 1986): Gianfranco Brancatelli, Win Percy and Amin Hahne teamed up to drive the third team car (Chassis #385). Their race ended on lap 154 with drive shaft failure. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
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| 1987 XJR-8LM: 1986 showed that Jaguar was up to the Porsche challenge and 1987 would end that supremacy. Again three team cars were entered at Le Mans. Raul Boesel, Eddie Cheever and Jan Lammers finished 5th in this car (Chassis #387). Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1987 XJR-8LM: Porsche would get one last strike in. This car (chassis #186) battled with the eventual race winner, before retiring with engine failure. Driven by Martin Brundle, John Nielsen and Amin Hahne. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1987 XJR-8LM: John Watson, Jan Lammers and Win Percy drove this car (Chassis #286) until a tire puncture caused the car to crash violently. Fortunately, Percy was uninjured. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
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| 1987 XJR-8LM: Another version of the 5th place finisher driven by Boesel, Cheever and Lammers (Chassis #387). Model by STARTER/AMR 1/43 |
1987 XJR-8: Raced by Raul Boesel and John Nielsen in the third round of the FIA World Sportscar Championship at Monza. Jaguar proved its dominance over Porsche in 1987, by running 1-2 for most of the race. Twenty minutes from the end while in 1st place, the rain set in and caught Boesel without rain tires and he spun the car into the sand trap and its race was over. Its sister car however, did take the win, This car (Chassis TWR-J12C-287) had a successful season , helping jaguar and TWR claim the Championship with three wins during the season. Converted to XJR-9 specification for 1988, the car was raced at Le Mans in 1988 & 89. Model by AUTOMODELLI 1/43 |
1987 XJR-8: The 1987 ended in a World Sportscar Championship for TWR and Jaguar and a Drivers Championship fro Raul Boesel. Eight wins over the season catapulted the team to dominate Group C. Jan Lammers and John Watson partnered in Chassis #187 to finish 2nd at the Spa 1000 km, behind the winning Jaguar. Model by HASEGAWA 1/24 |
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1988 XJR-9LM: When Tom Walkinshaw made his proposal to Jaguar for a racing team, he stated his goal was to win Le Mans within three years and 1988 was that third year. Win they did! The XJR-8 was upgraded to the XJR-9. Same V12 power of 7 litres, but refinements in the aerodynamic and suspension packages set the XJR-9 apart from the XJR-8. Model by EXOTO 1/18 |
1988 XJR-9: Rain played a major factor at the 1988 Nurburgring 1000 km. After finishing 2nd in the first 500 km heat, the Jan Lammers and Johnny Dumfries entry (Chassis #688) spun finishing in 8th place. Model by TAMIYA 1/24 |
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| 1988 XJR-9LM: Fastest Jaguar in practice, the entry with Martin Brundle and John Nielsen (Chassis #588) retired early on Sunday with engine trouble. Model by IXO 1/43 |
1988 XJR-9LM (LE MANS WINNER): One of several models of the 1988 Le Mans winning Jaguar driven by Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace that reside in our collection in various scales. Model by STARTER 1/43 |
1988 XJR-9LM: One big team under the Jaguar and TWR banner, at Le Mans the three Group C crews were managed by Roger Silman and the two IMSA crews were managed by Tony Dow, as they were during the respective series in Europe and America. Model by IXO 1/43 |
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| 1988 XJR-9LM: Model by HPI 1/43 |
1988 XJR-9LM: Model by HPI 1/43 |
1988 XJR-9LM: Model by HPI 1/43 |
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| 1988 XJR-9LM: Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace brought Jaguar its first Le Mans win since in 31 years. A red letter day for TWR and Jaguar fans across the globe. Chassis #488 was one of five cars entered by TWR and was only raced once at Le Mans. Model by EXOTO 1/18 |
1988 XJR-9LM: Two IMSA specification cars were entered at Le Mans. This car (Chassis #186) was driven by the trio of Derek Daly, Kevin Cogan and Larry Perkins to 4th place. Model by SLOT.IT 1/32 |
1988 XJR-9LM: The other IMSA car (Chassis #188) and the third of the five team cars to finish. Plagued by problems throughout the race, Danny Sullivan, Davy Jones and Price Cobb once as high as third were in 16th place at the end, victims of gearbox ills. Model by Le Mans MINIATURES 1/24 |
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| 1988 XJR-9LM Model by SLOT.IT 1/32 |
1988 XJR-9LM: Signed by Andy Wallace Model by AUTO BARN 1/43 |
1988 XJR-9LM Model by HASEGAWA 1/24 |
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| 1988 XJR-9LM: Another version of the #21 Le Mans car driven by Sullivan, Jones & Cobb. Model by IXO 1/43 |
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| 1989 XJR-9 (Le Mans, 1989): Jan Lammers, Patrick Tambay and Andrew Gilbert-Scott drove Chassis #588 (with its same number from Le Mans the year before) to 4th place at the 1989 Le Mans. After leading for several hours, the car developed gearbox trouble and kept Jaguar from back to back wins. Le Mans was not part of the World Prototype Championship in '89. Model by IXO (modified) 1/43 |
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1989 XJR-11 (Nurburgring, 1989): With the WSPC now consisting of sprint races, Jaguar's turbo era begins. A new 3500cc 90° V6, twin-overhead cam engine with two Garrett turbochargers was developed to compete with the turbo powered competition. Unreliability dogged the team all season. This is the car (Ch.#189) of Jan Lammers and Patrick Tambay at the Nurburgring where they finished 10th. Model by STARTER 1/43 |
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| 1990 XJR-12LM: TWR was able to use the V12 at Le Mans, which was outside the official World Sports Car Championship in 1990, instead of the 3.5 litre turbo-charged engines used the rest of the season (XJR-11). Le Mans in 1990 saw four Jaguar's entered and a terrific 1-2 finish! Models by IXO & STARTER 1/43 |
1990 XJR-12LM (LE MANS WINNER): The 1990 Le Mans winner. Models by SPARK 1/24 |
1990 XJR-12LM: The XJR-12's raced at Le Mans were IMSA specification cars with higher downforce, heavier suspension and brakes for the new Mulsanne chicanes. Martin Brundle, Alan Ferte and David Leslie were teamed to drive Chassis #990, but retired due to water pump failure after 15 hours and running well. Model by IXO 1/43 |
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| 1990 XJR-12LM: Jan Lammers, Andy Wallace & Franz Konrad finished in 2nd place in Chassis #290 after the Brun Porsche expired minutes from the end of the race. This car was raced at Le Mans again in 1991. Of note, TWR switched from Dunlop to Goodyear for the 1990 season. Model by IXO 1/43 |
1990 XJR-12LM: A good dice between this, the 1990 Le Mans winning Jaguar,the Nissan and Brun Porsche team developed. This car (Chassis #1090) eventually developed a one lap lead on the competition, despite the loss of fourth gear and expert driving of John Nielsen, Price Cobb & Martin Brundle. Model by STARTER 1/43 |
1990 XJR-12LM: Davy Jones, Eliseo Salazar and Michael Ferte drove Chassis #190 to the lead at one stage, only to have problems and eventually retire at noon on Sunday due to engine failure. The two Ferte brothers made Le Mans history as the only brothers to lead Le Mans in the same year. Model by IXO 1/43 |
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| 1988 XJR-9D (DAYTONA WINNER): Racing success in its largest export market was important to Jaguar's image, and entry in the USA IMSA series was the answer. TWR first fielded an IMSA team for the 1988 season and hit success on its first outing. Jan Lammers, Martin Brundle, Raul Boesel & John Nielsen took 1st place at the 1988 Daytona 24 hours. Chassis #288 would be a lucky car, earning 4 wins in '88. Model by EXOTO 1/18 |
1988 XJR-9D: Daytona is only second to Le Mans in terms of prestige. Jaguar entered three cars for Daytona in '88. Chassis #188 driven by Eddie Cheever, Johnny Dumfries and John Watson finished third. This car later racing at Le Mans, finished 16th, but was primarily relegated to a spare car role. Model by EXOTO 1/18 |
1988 XJR-9D: While they look almost identical, the IMSA Jaguars differed from the Group C cars in that the IMSA cars used 6 litre vs. 7 litre engines. The minimum weight requirement in IMSA also required that heavier components (steel v. titanium) were used. Model by SLOT.IT 1/32 |
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| 1988 XJR-9D Model by CORGI 1/43 |
1988 XJR-9D Model by ONYX 1/43 |
1988 XJR-9D Model by SCALEXTRIC 1/32 |
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| 1988 XJR-9D: 1988 Daytona 24 hr. winner Model by TOMY 1/64 |
1988 XJR-9D: "The Final Pit Stop" diorama of the winning Daytona car in 1988. Model by SPARK 1/43, Diorama by OLD IRISH |
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| 1990 XJR-12D (DAYTONA WINNER): Having finished 2nd in the 1989 IMSA Championship, Jaguar held great hopes for building on that success in 1990. Davy Jones, Jan Lammers & Andy Wallace finished the 1990 Daytona in the lead spot of a Jaguar 1-2 finish in Chassis #388. For endurance racing, Jaguar used the tested V12's in the heavily modified XJR-9 chassis, now known as XJR-12 cars. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1990 XJR-12D: Martin Brundle, John Nielsen and Price Cobb finished in 2nd place at Daytona in Chassis #288 (the 1988 Daytona winner) four laps down to their teammates. This great car would race one last time at Sebring, but failed to finish after a valiant run. Jaguar would again finish a brides maid in the 1990 IMSA Manufacturer's Championship, it would also mark the end of Castrol sponsorship. Model by TAMIYA 1/10 |
1990 XJR-15: JaguarSport was TWR's collaboration with Jaguar to build a limited production car with Group C performance. TWR started the XJR-15 JaguarSport Million Dollar Intercontinental Challenge for owners to participate against top name professional drivers in a special race series. As a support series to F1 it provided some exciting racing. Few buyers however eventually killed the concept and the XJR-15. Derek Warwick won at Monaco in this car. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
THE SIGNATURE PROJECT & RACING DIORAMAS
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PLEASE NOTE: From 1968 into the 1990's tobacco companies sponsored many significant race cars. We don't promote tobacco use, rather we stronly discourage it. However, we do promote historical accuracy, Old Irish Racing chooses
to display models in our collection as historically accurate as possible. While seeing a tobacco advert on a car gives me no more desire to go smoke than seeing a car makes me want to go
suck on its exhaust pipe. If tobacco (or alcohol) adverts on race cars offend you, please go look at nice pictures of bunnies and kittens on another site. Thank you!
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