#62 in its new Jaguar Select Edition livery

Jaguar Cars have sprung yet another surprise on all Jaguar aficionados!

On April 25th, the partnership of Jaguar Cars' Select Edition Certified Pre-Owned Program and the Racing Division of Donovan Motorcar Service of Lenox, MA, was officially unveiled at Road Atlanta's Walter Mitty vintage races, their first race of the 2003 vintage racing season.

Those who follow vintage racing will recognize the Donovan name, but not his two cars. Formerly, one white OTS, and one blue hardtop E type plied the SVRA and HSR circuit with great success, driven by Brian Donovan and Bob Hebert. Both cars have been completely restored and refurbished by Donovan, to specifications satisfying Jaguar Cars and the vintage groups with whom the cars will be racing. A third, de-tuned former racecar, will be included as the team's static display. The team was organized to increase the awareness of the Select Edition, Certified Pre-Owned Program and a special striking paint scheme was created for the cars by Jaguar designer Joe Buck. The scheme features a silver body color with Jaguar Racing Green stripes, and striking red epaulettes across the front fenders.

Bob Hebert, the team's primary driver is renowned in vintage racing, having won many races and series year-end awards. Well known DMS driver Jack Busch will pilot the second racecar, specifically prepared for endurance racing.

All three cars will be transported in a special purpose rig, decorated in the appropriate livery. The Challenge Championship is quite fortunate to have the complete team on display here in Phoenix. A number of Jaguar VIPs will be attending our event in preparation for the launch of the all-new, 2004 XJ sedan, taking place in Phoenix, the following week. The vintage racecar display will do much to heighten media interest during this period.

For those on the East Coast who can't make it to the JCNA Challenge Championship, there will be another opportunity to admire the Select Edition E-types in action at Lime Rock Race Park May 30th and 31st. This is also the week end of the traditional Empire Driving School where Jaguar owners get a chance to drive their cats on this historic race track as the Empire Jaguar Club alternates sessions on the track with the VSCCA racers. And to top things off, Jaguar North America will be present with the all new XJ8 and XJR saloons for test drives and demo rides...

This is the third element of a three-pronged effort to increase interest in Jaguars as performance vehicles. The program's goal is to re-kindle the excitement of Jaguar's winning racing heritage, dating back to the glory years of Le Mans. Formula 1, recent entry into Trans-Am, and now vintage racing of real Jaguars, covers the full racing spectrum. It can't get much better than this!

Jaguar has a very rich history in sports car racing, not only at Le Mans but on North American race tracks as well, ever since an SS100 was raced in Automobile Racing Clubs of America events in 1938. In the rich racing post war period, Jaguar won at some of the top US tracks like Sebring FL and Watkins Glen in 1955, Bridgehampton CT in 1960, and many more. In the 60s and 70s Jaguars prepared by renowned names like Huffaker or Bob Tulius' Group 44 will leave their marks on SCCA and Trans Am racing while in the 80s and early 90s, Daytona would become a prowling grounds for Group 44 and TWR XJR programs.

Join me in congratulating the partnership of Jaguar Cars' Select Edition Certified Pre-Owned Program and Donovan Racing in this latest endeavor. Let's hope that Jaguar's racing involvement proves the conventional wisdom that racing success translates into increased car sales!

Gary Hagopian, JCNA Pres.