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21 Apr 2005, 20:06 (Ref:1284100) | #1 | ||
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Big green cat is back?
lmsr.net posts that jaguar would be coming back to sports or GT racing...what do you guys think?
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21 Apr 2005, 20:27 (Ref:1284117) | #2 | |
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Yes please!
LMSR was right about the Porkers, hope this one solidifies as well. Last edited by Jeffrey-Lee; 21 Apr 2005 at 20:27. |
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21 Apr 2005, 20:35 (Ref:1284125) | #3 | ||
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Hmm, doubt it. Aston Martin and Jaguar are both Ford-companies. Don't see Ford allowing both companies to run races, especially not in the same class.
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21 Apr 2005, 21:03 (Ref:1284141) | #4 | ||
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I can't see it, Ford's profits are down 40% (see The Times today) and Jaguar isn't doing too well. Although Ford is slowly learning that Jaguar isn't suited to being a large scale producer. Eventually this could mean a Le Mans return, but more water under the bridge is needed.
Still, speaking generally, would it be good? It depends how the go about it. A racing GT car with the (new?) XK8 would be too similar too the DB9. I guess they could GT2 it, but Jaguar should compete for overall honours which rules out both GT classes. A nice LMP chassis with a development of the V8 would be good. LMP2 would make me sick, especially if they base it on a lesser engine (or diesel!). Oh, while green would be nice it isn't essential - which is what those Ford boys got wrong last time. It isn't about the styling it is about the content. The reat content, the real need to be at Le Mans. In fact it would be nice if it wasn't green to get away from the pitiful and pointless program they styled last time. Last edited by Adam43; 21 Apr 2005 at 21:06. |
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21 Apr 2005, 22:11 (Ref:1284184) | #5 | |||
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21 Apr 2005, 22:27 (Ref:1284203) | #6 | |||
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21 Apr 2005, 22:41 (Ref:1284212) | #7 | ||
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If this is ture then it is Mega news, and I am not sure about this one. lmsr.net say that they stand behind it 110%. Let wait for offical confirmation before we all get too excited.
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22 Apr 2005, 01:20 (Ref:1284259) | #8 | |||
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You can do worse than follow what the Cottons have to say when it comes to sportscars, that's for sure. |
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22 Apr 2005, 05:39 (Ref:1284307) | #9 | ||
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Not talking about Infocourse. com, Virages.com, PlanetLeMans.com...
Last edited by Fab; 22 Apr 2005 at 05:43. |
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22 Apr 2005, 07:23 (Ref:1284338) | #10 | ||
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We mustnt forget the Aston is funded by Prodrive. If the venture is succesful for both Ford and Prodrive there is no reason that they wont do a similar thing with Jaguar - maybe in GT2
Make a lot of sense for Ford as they get Jaguar racing for little cost and Prodrive make the money by selling the 'works' cars to customers |
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22 Apr 2005, 07:58 (Ref:1284357) | #11 | ||
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If someone comes along to Ford and offers to do the prep and design, like the Prodrive/Aston set up, then I am sure Ford would look at it.
Porsche coming back may just be the spur to move things along and there does seem to be plenty of LMP1/2 designs floating around looking for backing. |
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22 Apr 2005, 08:35 (Ref:1284378) | #12 | ||
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Another avenue for Jaguar is to do DTM by adopting the turn-key Zytek DTM car, as most development costs have already been met. I would prefer a sportscar, but DTM has media coverage second only to F1. This would probably interest Jaguar more in the short term i feel. However, Jaguar + Le Mans is legendary, and Ford will ignore the fact at its peril.
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22 Apr 2005, 08:41 (Ref:1284383) | #13 | ||
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That DTM project would be the wrong direction for Jaguar, IMHO. As with the F1 project it would have nothing to do with the road cars and just be a hollow marketing exercise. Jaguar have some great toruing cars in the past (see Nordic avatar!), but a MG cast off is not what they need.
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22 Apr 2005, 08:53 (Ref:1284388) | #14 | ||
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I agree with you that its not what Jaguar need, but unfortunately it may be what Ford need. A relatively inexpensive way to go racing to promote one of its flagship marques. Believe me, i too would much rather a sportscar, but the American market already has Trans-Am where Jags do well, but the european market has nothing as yet. And as i said before, the DTM Media coverage is excellent. Sentimentaly i couldn't agree with you more, but a huge corporation like Ford is only interested in the bottom line. ( dollars ).
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22 Apr 2005, 09:04 (Ref:1284392) | #15 | ||
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It is better to not promote them in racing then. Concentrate on making quality cars, not just rebodied Mondeos, and concentrate on the new XK8 and maybe a new smaller (relative term) sportscar?
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22 Apr 2005, 09:05 (Ref:1284393) | #16 | ||
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I think if Ford are going to pick up the DTM MG program and use it for Jag it would be a mistake, much better use it for Volvo.
Failing a full blown LMP1 program I would rather it went into WTCC, The DTM is full of overblown hype, costs heaps of money and is in danger of collapse should the numbers of teams contine to fall. Opel going, Audi clearly have a choice to make in the future, to contine in the DTM or go full time to the LMES/ALMS, I doubt it can afford both and Merc are hardly in the best of health at the moment. |
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22 Apr 2005, 10:15 (Ref:1284442) | #17 | ||
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Either of you 2 guys at silverstone 2 weeks ago ? Watching those monsters come out of woodcote was something else. Thats how i like to see a Jag. That and the Silk Cut Le mans cars of course.
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22 Apr 2005, 10:28 (Ref:1284451) | #18 | ||
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We all hope the return of Jaguar in Sports cars. For my part I'll wait for official news.
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22 Apr 2005, 10:47 (Ref:1284471) | #19 | |
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Sounds like the next Prodrive project to me (but I hope it's a full blown LMP1 assault!)..........
Slightly off topic: Jonathan Palmer was trying to get a race series sanctioned for his Jaguar JP1's. Has anyone heard any more on this? |
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22 Apr 2005, 14:32 (Ref:1284607) | #20 | ||
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Just a thought, but why couldn't Prodrive build a prototype for Jaguar (or anyone else for that matter)? They certainly have the technical ability and are already forming a relationship with Ford and Aston Martin with the DBR9.
But I agree, no need to get too excited yet. |
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22 Apr 2005, 15:46 (Ref:1284651) | #21 | ||
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Is one of the Courage's not being run as a "Ford" with some funds from Ford France?
It wouldn't be much of a stretch to paint the thing green and call it a Jag. |
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22 Apr 2005, 16:04 (Ref:1284664) | #22 | |||
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23 Apr 2005, 17:36 (Ref:1285233) | #23 | ||
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Any Jaguar return, like Porsche, has to be in the prototype ranks fighting for overall wins. As for the DTM route, that would be a disater on a par with the F1 team, not least because the series is hugely expensive and is on the brink of collapse almost yearly. It also has little profile outside of central Europe were huge marketing budgets help boost crowds. Last edited by JAG; 23 Apr 2005 at 17:36. |
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24 Apr 2005, 16:19 (Ref:1285953) | #24 | ||
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I think the DTM seems to have more star drivers than manufacturer interest. Could all start getting good again if the DTM goes over to privateer teams and lets some manufacturers have a go at sportscar racing instead.
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24 Apr 2005, 17:08 (Ref:1285996) | #25 | |
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The DTM can never be a privateers series as the manufactuers fund almost everything the series has to offer!
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