RACING
E-TYPES TO PROMOTE JAGUAR SELECT EDITION PROGRAM AGAIN FOR
2004
Irvine,
CA. March 11, 2004 - Two thundering, 400-plus horsepower vintage
Jaguar E-Type racecars take to the racetrack again in 2004 as
high-speed billboards for Jaguar's award-winning Select Edition
Certified Pre-Owned vehicle program.
Jaguar
North America continues its relationship with renowned vintage
Jaguar specialists, Massachusetts-based Donovan Motorcar Services,
to campaign the Select Edition Racing E-Types at key historic
racing events throughout the 2004 season. (Click
here for 2004 schedule)
The
team made its debut last season (April 24-27, 2003) at the annual
Walter Mitty historic sports car races at the famous Road Atlanta
circuit, near Braselton, Georgia.
"Integrating
our award-winning certified pre-owned program with the vintage
racing team creates a unique opportunity to reach out to new
customers," said Geoff Cousins, vice president, Distribution
and Remarketing Operations, Jaguar Land Rover North America.
"The
legendary Jaguar E-Type, one of the most desirable pre-owned
vehicles in the world, is an exemplary representation of our
certified pre-owned vehicle program," Cousins adds.
Both
Select Edition Racing E-Types had a proven track record prior
to joining the Select Edition race team in 2003. The #61 car
is a 1967 E-Type open roadster, prepared from new as a racecar
by famed U.S. Jaguar tuner, Huffaker Engineering. Acquired by
Donovan Motorcar Services in 1990, and driven by top vintage
racer Bob Hebert, the car has been one of the front-runners in
its class ever since.
The
second Select Edition Racing E-Type #62, is an early 1962 hardtop
roadster that was converted to race spec in 1984 and campaigned
by DMS president, Brian Donovan. Used mostly for historic racing
endurance events, the car has taken numerous overall and class
victories in Sports Vintage Racing Association
(SVRA) and Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) events.
"The
E-Type makes the perfect vintage racecar. It has strong performance,
dynamic handling and a great power-to-weight ratio. And its performance
is equaled only by its breathtaking looks," explained Donovan.
Both
Select Edition E-Types are powered by highly-tuned 4.2-liter
straight-six engines, delivering over 415-horsepower - enough
to give standstill to 60 mph acceleration in 4.0 seconds and
a top speed of 160 mph.
They
also come equipped with lightweight aluminum body panels, full
race developed suspension, upgraded front
and rear brakes, a strengthened four-speed manual transmission
and lightweight racing wheels with Goodyear racing tires.
A
special paint scheme was also created for the cars by Jaguar
U.K. designer, Joe Buck. The scheme features a silver body color
with Jaguar Racing Green stripes, and striking red epaulettes
across
the front fenders.
"We
see our involvement with historic racing as not only increasing
awareness of Jaguar's Select Edition Certified program, but as
a means of building closer ties with the many Jaguar Owners Clubs
and Jaguar enthusiasts across the country," explained Cousins.
The
Jaguar presence at the races will feature a line-up of Select
Edition Certified Pre-Owned cars, supplied by local retailers,
and displays of classic Jaguars from local Jaguar club members.
Donovan Motorcar Services has prepared a third Select Edition
Racing E-Type - based on a 1963 roadster - which will be used
for display at the race meetings and various retailer events.
In
October 2003, for the fourth time in five years, Jaguar Select
Edition was judged "Best Certified Pre-Owned Luxury Vehicle Program"
by consumer information specialists, IntelliChoice, Inc. (Click
here for an overview of the Select Edition Program)
For
buyers of pre-owned Jaguars, it means unrivaled peace of mind
with each Select Edition Jaguar being backed by a 6-year/100,000
limited warranty.
Coverage
begins with Jaguar's new car 4-year/50,000 guarantee. The Select
Edition warranty then provides an additional two years, or 50,000
miles coverage, for a total of six years, or 100,000 miles. Before
qualifying as a Select Edition vehicle, each car has to go through
a rigorous 140-point inspection.
Select
Edition Racing is the third element in the Jaguar North American
motorsport strategy. In September 2003, Jaguar North America,
in conjunction with Michigan-based Rocketsports Racing, unveiled
its 650-horsepower Jaguar AJ-V8 engine in the R-Performance XKR
Trans-Am racecar. Scot Pruett collected his third Trans-Am title
and helped Jaguar earn its third Trans-Am Manufacturers' Championship.
In addition, Jorge Diaz, Jr., driver of the Don Q Rum jaguar
XKR, claimed the Rookie of the Year title. Globally, Jaguar's
motorsport effort continues to be with Jaguar Racing and Formula
One.
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