- by Ray Bernard
New Jaguar sports car for corporate racing thrills
04 April 2003: A new Jaguar sports car has made its track debut - the 180 mph Palmer Jaguar JP1 uses a modified version of the 3.0-litre V6 engine from the Jaguar X-TYPE and brings new meaning to the phrase ‘racing green’, having been tuned to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The distinctive JP1 has joined Jonathan Palmer’s ‘Motorsport Sensation’ programme, the UK’s premier track driving facility established by the former Formula One driver at the Bedford Autodrome, near Thurleigh, Bedfordshire.
Cosworth Racing has adapted the power unit to suit the mid-engined layout. The rear wheels are driven through a race specification six speed ‘sequential’ shift gearbox, that allows rapid upward gearchanges with a short, sharp pull-back of the lever without even lifting off the accelerator.
Weighing barely 650 kg, the JP1 has a power-to-weight ratio approaching 370 bhp/tonne – more than twice that of the standard 3.0-litre Jaguar X-TYPE. From a standing start, the JP1 reaches 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and 100 mph in a further 3.2 seconds. A maximum speed of 180 mph is anticipated.
Bedford Autodrome, where eight JP1s will be based, is designed purely for track days and corporate driving events. It consists of four race tracks – the North, South, East and West – which can be interlinked to create larger, more challenging layouts. The Palmer Jaguars will make their home on the 1.5 mile South circuit, where guests can relax in a purpose-built, Jaguar-themed hospitality suite while waiting for their turn at the wheel – or calming down afterwards!
In addition to the cars used in the ‘Motorsport Sensation’ programme, a small number of ‘evolution’ track day versions of the JP1 will be offered for sale.
©2003 irishcar.com