Jaguar to return to Le Mans?

[HORNDAWG]

Jaguar's new owner Ratan Tata (chaiman) stated last week that he wants to return the marque to Le Sarthe. link

[John Dagys]

This is something that I think everybody would really like to see. But the question is when and with what team? Apex seems like the most logical choice, and it has been mentioned that Richard Lloyd had a broader plan for his team, rather than running Jaguar XKRs in GT3. But with his death, I'm not sure where that leaves this whole effort. I know James Weaver has been helping Apex out as of late though...

If Jaguar comes back, it would obviously be with a P1 car. But would there be any hesitation if the diesels are not further restricted? This is what the ACO needs to tackle NOW. In order for Acura to commit, and other privateers too, the performance balancing needs to be made between diesel and petrol P1s.

[HORNDAWG]

I do not see it as 'obvious' that it would be with a P-1. Mr. Tata seems to be somewhat pragmatic. And in that light I would think it will be the Apex program being moved forward into the GT-1/GT-2 range and probably with a direct injected 5.0L to start with, as that engine size seems to be the one that has the most versatility in the coming rule sets for a GT. FIA, 5.0L can go to either class and it is allowed in both ACO classes. And then once a program is fully established a move to the P-1 class possibly, with incentives from the ACO of course (of the restrictor type).

[John Dagys]

hmm, good point there. With the new GT1/GT2 rules coming, you could almost just take the current GT3-spec XKR and run it in the new GT2 (or however they will work out the regs).. This indeed may be a wiser course to take at first.