Ginger Corda’s 1971 XKE with "Donald"

March 2, 2002 -- Jaguar car clubs are made up of people who seriously love and are very enthused about their particular marque. On this spring morning, three Florida Jaguar Clubs caravanned to Sebring to spend the day around Jaguar racing. We toured the Group 44 Racing hangar, visited with Bob Tullius, took a few exciting Car Club laps around the Raceway, and enjoyed some great vintage Jaguar action (Historic Sportcar Racing).

It was a day we planned and anticipated for some time because our clubs love outings like this so we can have some fun together. How exciting it was to start out in our own Jaguars from all points on the compass, and pick up more "cats" at predetermined stations along the way. The many models of Jaguars made a fine-looking sight as we snaked our way along the central Florida countryside to the Sebring International Raceway and Airport.

About 40 Jaguar enthusiasts joined up in the morning at Bob Tullius’ Group 44 hangar at 44 Victory Lane, located at the airport just next to the raceway. We knew that Bob was a serious collector, but his hangar was more special than expected, and is full of a prize assortment of vintage aircraft and fantastic cars. Upon arriving, we saw the magnificent P-51 Mustang WWII fighter plane, "Donald," parked outside and readied for Bob Tullius to take it on a morning flight to Naples.

Inside the Hangar - Group 44 XJR & XJS

As a successful racecar driver, Bob Tullius is a hero to Jaguar people, and Group 44 Racing is one of the oldest and most respected full-time racing teams in the nation, if not the world. Group 44 has been involved in everything from Trans-Am road racing to Indy cars; international endurance competition to short-track stock cars. The numerous pole positions, fastest laps and clear-cut victories made for a convincing record. Following the three seasons of 1977, 78, & 79, Bob Tullius drove the Group 44 XJ-S in 29 races, won 3 outright and achieved 15 Category 1 victories. For that, Bob was the first recipient of the Sir William Lyons International Jaguar Trophy.

With the roar of racing cars at the track filling the air, we entered the open, immaculately kept "museum" to stroll among some of the greatest racing Jaguars and vintage airplanes you could see in one place.

With no ropes to hold you back, we were able to get a very close up view of many of the retired Group 44 racecars that Bob Tullius had driven during the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s. There were also an XKE and two Triumphs, which he had saved from the early 1960’s that were the last models made of both the TR6 and TR8.

While we were admiring the collection, Bob Tullius joined us for some informal banter. A gracious host, Bob reminisced about his successful racing career and the special cars in the hangar, making us feel like a bunch of old friends that had dropped by for a friendly chat. He shared with us the history of his P-51 Mustang and the WWII fighter pilot, Donald Emmerson, who was killed on Christmas day, 1944. When asked how it was to fly, Bob summed it up in one word, "Work."

He said that once in a while, he allows the stabled Group 44 Jaguar racecars out for display at various events. We thoroughly enjoyed Bob’s company, loved his stories, and were thrilled to be able to spend some time with this legendary Jaguar racer.

Time passed quickly, and Bob had to leave and fly Donald down to Naples for an airplane show. A perfect end to our tour, we were treated to him taking the pilot’s seat, prepping and flying the glorious old bird into the sunny skies as we all waved him goodbye-and good luck.

Bob Tulius (center) with Phillys Chisholm (left) and Ginger Corda (rigth)

Then we headed over to the Sebring International Raceway, an historic and challenging 3.7-mile circuit. Another Jaguar enthusiast, George Csanadi, who had joined us as an invited guest, helped to get almost 20 of our cars admitted for a Car Club Parade and two full laps around the track behind a pace car. Whether a first-timer or old racing pro, going around Sebring’s raceway is just a kick you have to experience. While we didn’t get to drive our cars the way some of us would have liked to (no passing, speeds below 70mph), we did not just "putz" around the track either! After a couple of laps, we had a better appreciation of the curves and straights that the racecar drivers contend with. And as a car club group, it was fun to see each other in our Jaguars and play on the track together.

Having worked up an appetite by then, we all went over to the Chateau Elan hotel for a refreshing repast at their restaurant. This new luxury hotel is located on the legendary hairpin turn with a great view of the action. There was much to talk about while the club members relaxed together and enjoyed a delicious lunch.

For those who were still hungry for Jaguar racing, the day continued at the track to see the vintage racecars up close and watch the Predator Performance Racing team in action. Larry Ligas (1961 XKE) and David Hinton (1952 XK120) from Largo, Florida, are a dominating force on the Jaguar Vintage racing scene, combining their experience in building, restoring and preparing Jaguars in their shop with some of the best components like Terry’s Jaguar engines or Mediatronic JT5 transmissions. Ligas was awarded the 2001 Rolex Sportsman of the Year award by HSR and Rolex, the series sponsor, and ended up 5th overall and 2nd in class last year.

Waiting to get on track for the car club parade

With a new season underway, this particular weekend of HSR racing included the Rolex Vintage Enduro, the 2nd of 9 races making up the Rolex Endurance Championship (the winner of the series receives a fine Rolex watch). This hard-driven 3-hour endurance race with three required 5-minute pit stops took place that morning while we toured Group 44. It proved to be a real challenge, too, since 71 cars began but only 62 finished. Larry Ligas and Trent Terry (Terry’s Jaguar Parts in Benton, Illinois) raced Larry’s 1961 XKE to 8th overall and first in class, with a fastest lap time of 2:28.

They sustained some minor damage to the left of the bonnet when a Porsche turned in on Terry in a corner. Also driving in the endurance race that morning were David Hinton and Charles Espenlaub in Hinton’s 1952 XK120, placing 11th overall and first in class, with a fastest lap time of 2:34. Espenlaub is the chief instructor at Panoz Racing School, (www.panozracing.com) and can be seen driving a Mazda 626 televised on SpeedVision’s "Touring Cars." A long-time racecar driver, Espenlaub expressed that driving David’s XK120 was the most physically demanding car he has ever driven.

Saturday afternoon’s qualifying races consisted of 10 laps for placement in Sunday’s feature - the WorldCom Dash Series. Racing in Group 4 with about 25 cars, it was not surprising that David Hinton took an immediate lead in his 1952 XK120. He remained in the lead, widening it with every lap until an electrical short stopped the car dead in its tracks near the end of the race. David reached under the dashboard and wiggled the wires and it came back to life! He belted himself back up and rejoined the race, now in 15th place. David was able to overtake a few, and finished, qualifying at 11th with his fastest lap at 2:33.

Larry decided to give the XKE a good once over and did not enter the qualifying race that afternoon. So on Sunday, March 3, he was spotted back to 15th place, about mid-pack in Group 2 with 35 to 40 cars. He climbed from 15th to 6th place right away. On his second lap, coming out of the turn before the straight of way he felt the back end coming around. He slid sideways, mashed the gas, and when the smoke cleared, he had done a perfect 360° on the straight of way, and was facing the right direction! No one made contact, he regained and continued racing, only having lost 8 seconds performing his "pirouette."

David Hinton’s 1952 XKE 120 taking the start from pole

David began the race at 11th and moved up to 8th by the first corner. In his usual style, he began to pick them off one at a time. There was one Lotus in particular that had been giving him the most challenge, but on the 6th or 7th lap David looked in his rearview mirror to watch the Lotus loose it coming out of a turn. David won the race with a full straight of way between he and the closest contender (Porsche). For a full race weekend report by HSR, see the website http://hsrrace.com/sebring/harrington.htm.

During the races Saturday, spectators were treated to an additional bit of "eye candy." The pilots at the airport were taking their planes up and performing aerobatics practice; making loops, rolls, and drops while the cars streaked and roared around the track. All we can say is, WOW! What a great way to spend a beautiful, sunny Florida day -- amidst fast cars and drivers, vintage aircraft, and friends. This was a very pleasurable club outing for the members, and the drivers enjoyed and appreciated the support of their Jaguar clubs at the track. A great Jaguar racing day and a good, fun, safe weekend for all.

After all, there are only two kinds of Jaguar enthusiasts: Those who have been, and those yet to be, bitten by the racing bug.

Of course, you could spend a Saturday many ways. If you’ve got a special car, or just love them, why not join a club and get out there and have some fun?! Jaguar clubs welcome all years and models.

Gary Hagopian, President of Jaguar Clubs of North America sums up the day while leaving in his modified XKE

For information on Jaguar Club events, contact one of the Florida clubs: Sun Coast Jaguar Club, Tampa Bay area (Phyllis Chisholm, 813-968-3645) Jaguar Club of Florida, Orlando area (Ginger Corda, jagwire@catdriver.com, 863-646-5339), and South Florida Jaguar Club, Miami area (Pascal Gademer 305-323-9894), or Predator Jaguar, Largo (David Hinton 727-539-0218). While on the web, stop by our Club websites at www.catdriver.com or www.southfloridajaguarclub.org

 

Posted: 3/8/2002

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