Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Cat is back!


Although I suppose I’ll always associate that iconic British brand “Jag-U-wyre” (Jaguar) with its former parent, the Ford Motor Company... Even if the FoMoCo has sold off all of its luxury brands, with Jaguar now under the control of TaTa Motors of India, but I digress...

As Y’all may have heard? Paul Gentilozzi, ex-Co-owner of CCWS (the Champ Car World Series) and his RocketSports Racing have been appointed to return the “Cat” back into Sports Car racing, as Gentilozzi’s RSR concern will campaign its Jaguar XKR GT in this year’s American Le Mans Series overly competitive GT2 category.

And Paul Gentilozzi has signed-up some very good talent to chauffer the XKR GT, with HotSchue’s Marc Goossens and Ryan Dalziel,, who won this year’s Rolex 24, as it’s season’s pilot’s, whilst ‘Scooter, nee Scott Pruett will co-drive the RSR entry at Le Mans this June, with the 60yr old Gentilozzi being listed as the Team’s third driver this weekend.

The team will eschew its traditional number 33 instead for the No. 75 as Jaguar honours its 75th Anniversary this year!

Previous to this year’s Sebring 12hrs event, Gentilozzi ‘N Co. took a “Bare metal” XKR GT racecar over to England for static display in the town’s big Auto show.

Gentilozzi and Jaguar RSR Racing tour England
And I was unaware of the fact that Gentilozzi had set a new Land Speed Record aboard a Bonneville Jaguar XFR in 2008, where he clocked a top speed of 225.675mph!

I just hope the Jag’s GT Programme goes better then Gentilozzi’s earlier exploits in stewarding first SCCA’s Pro Racing Trans Am series and later the Champ Car World Series, of which both unfortunately are now extinct...