Victory can be addictive, and perhaps no team knew that fact better than the Jaguar-whisperers at Tom Walkinshaw Racing. After winning at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1990, they turned their attentions across the pond where the IMSA GTP Championship was beginning to heat up. However, in order to compete they needed a world-class contender that met the regulations, and fortunately, Tony Southgate was more than up to the task. After Southgate designed a bespoke carbon fiber monocoque with carbon fiber body panels and advanced aerodynamics, two cars were built at TWR’s Valparaiso, Indiana race headquarters.
Dubbed the XJR-16, this cutting-edge big cat was powered by a 90-degree twin turbocharged V6 engine sending between 750 to 900 hp to the rear wheels only via a TWR five-speed manual gearbox. Not only did it look the part and have enough shove to back up its visual bite, but the - weighed in at a scant 950 kg, giving it quite the impressive power-to-weight ratio.
This glorious machine, chassis number 291, was the second IMSA GTP car built. Racing alongside its sister car, these jaw-dropping Jaguars were piloted by the likes of Davey Jones, Raul Boesel and Formula One legend Martin Brundle. Despite only competing for the 1991 season, the pair of XJR-16s racked up the wins, including the 300 km of Road Atlanta, the Mid-Ohio 300 km, the Laguna Seca 300 km, and at the 300 km of Road America. Overall, the XJR-16 secured the top spot of the podium no less than six times, eventually placing second overall in the Championship.
Boasting a documented race history and known ownership since new, chassis 291 was professionally restored by Jaguar Group C and GTP experts and is accompanied by an impressive spares package. Eligible to compete in a wide range of historic motorsport events, from Peter Auto to Le Mans Classic, this XJR-16 is now available with Grand Prix Classics and would be right at home in any collection of endurance legends.
