THE PORSCHE CRUSHER! The Story of the TWR Jaguar XJ Group C Cars (1984-1991)

[@AidanMillward]

Dyslexia with numbers moment once again: Brundle hated the 11 from 89 not the 91 car.

[@fuzzynutter8344]

The 11, and the 10, were a bit of a dog. And the 11 got absolutely rinsed by the Mercedes C9 in 1989 and the C11 in 1990.

[@ibex485]

Don't worry. Tiny detail, the point's still valid and doesn't spoil a great video. Also, absolutely right about Group C being a fuel efficiency formula in that era. Which makes Jag's success with that huge V12 even more suprising, by that time one would expect turbos to be more efficient (with fully developed computerised engine management systems).

I agree with the Brundle statement. He was and actually still is a very very good driver.

[@redjohndeble9862]

The jag drivers during the LM: You mind sorting this while I go warm up the JAAAAAAAAAAAG

[@sebastianjuppscharwachter9022]

😂

[@Anonymous_0894]

That Silk Cut livery is mint.

It's purple and white.

[@Anonymous_0894]

Very funny

[@Woodie-xq1ew]

Advertising a product that can give you cancer is not a good thing to have on race cars but damn did it give us some beautiful liveries. The silk cut jaguars are so iconic

[@ArnoldTriyudho]

Replace the C with the K then you'll got an Indonesian slang for the dried wallet 😂😂

[@CraigLandsberg-lk1ep]

Don't get it 😢

[@bobfenster3690]

if a car's paint job can mind control you into doing something you otherwise wouldn't have, what can watching the whole car going 200mph do to you? maybe it can force you to do DANGEROUS things. second hand dangerous things even, like driving too fast around other people. maybe we should just ban racing altogether. for our own good. since we're evidently such simple creatures.

[@knowlesy3915]

I think Id live longer on the silk cut than taking that Jaaag up Raidillon

[@Alan-cg8gx]

So because they banned advertising cigarettes no one smokes anymore.

[@martinwebb3017]

Fun Fact: that Brundle fellow came both first and second at the 1991 430 km of Monza.

[@MaxScheibenpflug]

Before watching the video, dunno if you're talking about this: I only know these cars from the early 90ies DOS game "Stunts". Since then, they have a special place in my heart. Great topic!

[@ibex485]

The Jags had a neat aerodynamic trick for the XJR-8/9 which contributed to its huge downforce. Tony Southgate found a way to use the rear wing so it functioned like an extension of the bodywork, pulling more air through the venturi tunnels and allowing the diffuser section to have a steeper angle. But without the weight & drag of Porsche's long tail. Porsche on the other hand had exactly the same problem Brabham had in 1978 (which led to the famous BT46 fan car). Their flat configuration engine limited the width of their venturi tunnels. The rear wheel covers on the Jags cost time in the pit stops changing tyres. But it was worth it for the lower drag and higher top speed, especially at Le Mans.

[@vaughncadney7087]

In its debut race at Mosport it sat on pole and lead in the early laps until teething problems not unexpectedly turned up and dropped it back. It was evident that the chassis had potential as it was blindingly fast. Flat out through corner 1 at Mosport at that time was quite spectacular. I was fortunate to have been a spectator at that event.

[@waverod9275]

That Porsche CART effort is a story in and of itself, what with the end of the March chassis, disappointment, and lingering.

[@trev3971]

I grew up in the motorhome of an IMSA GTU team in this period. Between the Castrol XJR-9s and the Nissan GTP ZX-Turbos buzzing around, I don't think I could've had a cooler childhood.

[@B-A-L]

That Silk Cut livery is one of the most iconic liveries of any racing car ever!

[@markalbert9011]

Thanks for giving us a good look at that spectacular memorial to the Spitfire. The plane that saved England using the engine that leveled The 3'rd Reich.

[@TheShrike616]

This. This was on the cover of a book I won at school. Autosport 88 it was. This made me fall in love with racing cars as a seven year old. I read and reread that tome to pieces.

[@exsappermadman25055]

I seen a version of this car as a wee boy and it looked like an absoulte spaceship....Minted!...

[@PeteTull-fv3qr]

Yes you’re so right. In the mid 80’s I went to Le Mans every year with my mates in our MG’s, RS2000’s and Lancias. Just stayed awake the whole trip. Got really shitfaced in ‘88 in a posh restaurant in St Malo after the Jags won and we were waiting for our ferry the next morning. Was in work 9.00 Monday. Days of yore 😎

[@ibex485]

That's such an '80s thing to do. GG

[@rhéacevert]

My biggest flex will always be that my nan is friends with Tony Southgate. Those cars are just incredible

[@95BlitzsGarage]

Great information, as always.

[@garyfallows1123]

I called at the Heritage Motor Museum in Warwick on my way to Silverstone Legends Weekend this year (2024), they had the Jan Lammers car in the workshop all stripped down being serviced, amazing piece of engineering

[@claypaquette9395]

Loved watching those Jags!

[@fuzzynutter8344]

I was lucky to see some of the Group C Jaguar XJRs at the Silverstone Classic back in 2007, along with the Porsche 956s/962s. And my God, they were a sight to behold, while the V12 of the Jags sounded awesome. And seeing two of the most iconic liveried racing cars in motorsport history, Rothmans and Silk Cut, made that day even more special.

[@ibex485]

A bit off topic, but interesting... Tony Southgate (working as a consultant) designed the car (the Shadow DN9) which in 1979 caused Colin Chapman to protest to the FIA and (had he succeeded) could have seen 'ground effect' banned. He had a strong case when he argued the sliding skirts added to the DN9 were illegal movable aerodynamic devices (they would be banned a couple of years later). For the Lotus 79 they had specifically developed flexible rubber skirts to avoid breaking that rule.

[@mattt525]

That dig at Jag's recent advertisements was chefs kiss perfect😂

[@wharris123184]

I met Magnus Walker during the Las Vegas GP this year. He was showcasing the TWR Supercat at Encore Casino Resort (right across from Lewis Hamilton’s pop up shop for his +44 World clothing brand). That car is bonkers!

[@andrewdillon7837]

Those jaaags walkinshaw took to Bathurst were cool af,,

[@JohnSmithShields]

I saw some of these running at the Silverstone Classic 2 years ago. They looked and sounded amazing. 😊

[@dimitrivasilaras6976]

The 787B was a quick racecar but with a narrow performance window. It may not have had outright pace but the fact that it was able to be driven harder than the competition for significantly longer made it quick given the right conditions. It wasn't a fluke.

[@teabagtowers3823]

It only won one race it was a fluke in the seasons the 787 competed the Jaguar and Sauber cars were far far more competitive and faster.

[@dimitrivasilaras6976]

@teabagtowers3823 it set a new total number of laps and distance record at the time so as a racecar, it proved that it was quick if it was in its peak performance window. It being able to be pushed harder for longer than the competition thanks to its fuel economy and reliability is what makes the win no fluke and a race win purely on merit. I'm not saying that it was a purely rapid car in terms of sheer pace but in terms of its race pace in the right performance window, no matter how narrow that window is, it proved it's quick.

[@patrickparisienne1917]

The V12 engine block was the same size throughout the Group C era. The engine started at 6.2 ltrs, then 6.5, then 7.0, and briefly as a 7.4. The racing blocks were different to production ones though. Allan Scott who was the engine man at TWR published an awesome book about it, and the sub par 3.0 V6 turbos that Walkinshaw subbed out to another firm which turned out to be a lemon before TWR and Scott were asked to save the day…

[@kingalfred3902]

Yes .!!....The Ford GT 40..!...and the Jaguar .!!.....could only beat the opposition ....with monstrously bigger engines ....Nothing to brag about ....!!!!!..........they acknowledged that the more fair .....3.0 v6 ...was a disaster ....!!!!!......

[@PenryMMJ]

Group C really wasn't becoming unpopular at it's end. It was becoming too popular. It was certainly better than contemporary F1. Which is why Bernie got it's hands on it, insisted on the expensive F1 derived engines, and killed the formula off.

[@Mishima505]

Then he did the same thing with the ITC in 1996. Raise ticket prices, close off the paddock and drive spectators away.

[@wharris123184]

Happy Holidays, Aidan! 🎉

[@DawgPro]

Nobody's perfect !

[@steveconnor8669]

after these cars southgate designed the ferrari 333 sp for the new flat bottom spec that came to endurance prototypes during the mid 90’s. tony was so cool to work with. when he came to the races he would often hangout with us mechanics at lunch, and go out with us after the day at the track to prowl around the city. said he enjoyed getting away from the owners and sponsor crowd . we went rental go-cart racing at lemans a couple times. so unpretentious, and he would share knowledge, tell great stories. really cool dude

[@fuzzynutter8344]

Indeed. I don’t why, but the 333SP was never raced as factory effort but it looked and sounded epic.

[@kingalfred3902]

Ferrari 333SP ..!!!! brilliant ...!!!...Thank you ...Tony Southgate ...!!!

[@simonrook5743]

Was at LeMans in 1987, was in the grandstand over the pits (directly above the Jaguar pits) when the leading car came in on the Sunday morning for the transmission change that cost them the race. 😢

[@akaDOOD]

Always loved the Group C Jags, though I always found it annoying when the XJR-9 gets outclassed by the 962 in most of my favorite racing games. Alas they don't make em like they used to.

[@philipbray880]

Sauber Mercedes was a mint car back in the day what monster that was!

[@brokeafengineerwannabe2071]

I'd love a rundown of Sauber C9 and C11 too :)

[@signorpippistrello]

I‘m sure it’s gonna be a great follow-up! The LM winning car that started life as a TWR Jag and won as a Porsche. And it had two consecutive rookie winners: Wurz than Kristensen.

[@Le3eFrereBrunet]

@Aidan Milward… in regards to brothers in F1 Jacques SR and Gilles Villeneuve did race together at the CDN and Ceasar Palace GP of 1981…

[@NeXMaX]

6:48 It's actually a whole state, Aidan ;) Fun Fact: The Sepang racetrack is part of that state.

[@GeeShocker]

Yes, the "Joest" was very good. 👍

[@TheLockbeard]

13:17 the Project Cars Jaaaags are probably the closest than any other sim.

[@garchompy_1561]

Also something of note: the Porsche WSC-95 car that ran in the early topless LMP catagory I believe was a modified Jaguar XJR-14 that was then powered by porsche engine? which would mean that they had some sucess with at le mans even after leaving. I also still think that Jaguar won with the XJ220, let them have that shit man, if they passed scrutineering they passed, sad times...

[@stuartross282]

@@garchompy_1561 xj220 was disqualified due to the exhaust system not having catalytic converter

[@tangerinedream7211]

Tommy Walkinshaw had a flexible interpretation of legality. I was told the ACO never found the illegal gear ratios in the 220s. The wide range of engine sounds was one of the hallmarks of group C days imho. First Le Mans was 1984, god it was hot, , only missed 6 since 😋

[@fuzzy1dk]

@@stuartross282 and the rules didn't it say it had to have one just because some production models had, no one else had one. I've heard John Nielsen say he still has the trophy

[@kingalfred3902]

Jaguars posing as Porsches .??...Really this is a joke ..???...cant the English make competitive engines by themselves ...???this is really embarresing ....!!!!!

[@tangerinedream7211]

@kingalfred3902 and it also became a Mazda 🤣

[@serenawatkins6875]

Lots of people rave about the 917, Ferrari 512, 956/962, Toyota GT One, Audi R8 etc, but the XJR9 is probably the greatest sportscar ever. It had great aero. And the fact its engine was just a simple, road car derived large capacity naturally aspirated unit with only 24 valves, but produced huge power coupled with efficiency, was remarkable. Surely the finest Group C engine ever too. And the car destroyed the opposition in 1988, and yet with a budget that was probably tiny compared to others.

[@kingalfred3902]

Oh come on .!!...a 7 litre 12 cylinder ...???....you call that fair ....????and then you are trying to downplay the Jags Engine as ....a simple ...roadcar derived ...engine with ONLY 24 valves ...etc...etc.....If you know something about endurance racing ......there is rules and regulations ...to try and make the playing field more equall....you call a 7 litre 12 cylinder ...engine ...equall...??...........equall...to what ?......a spitfire aircraft engine ....?????...Please get real...!!!....then you say a budget that was ...""probably ""....tiny ...????...so you are thumbsucking ...no facts ...!!!

[@NukeshotMedia]

Oh wow. Funnily enough I was just driving the XJR-9 in Gran Turismo 7 yesterday. You have to reduce the front downforce in order for the aero balance to not spin the car out at high speed.

[@adamwilliams192]

Another car that I had as a kid (in this case a slot car), that I didn’t know anything about until now… Also had the Porsche (three actually, two with lights ohhhhh) a big silver Merc and a blue Nissan. Good times.

[@gordonwallin2368]

Happy Boxing Day, from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[@mgrzx3367]

This was about the time 962s were up for sale for one Million dollars. Someone wrote " Would you let ( certain driver known for crashing or winning) drive your million dollar car?"

[@Eagleracer38x]

Yeah, the living room of my place has a lot Jaguar GTP/Group C art. Some are the Group 44 cars, one is signed by the owner and drivers. The others are TWR variants.

[@markalbert9011]

No areo restrictions. When you take away the restrictions the Mad Lads take over the race programs and iconic race cars result. The CanAm, Group B rally cars. Group C endurance racing......No restrictions will probably never happen again because of costs but damn, it makes for spectacular and iconic cars.

[@jonstout9236]

I was lucky enough to see the SC Jags live at Silverstone - wish I could remember what year that was though 😅

[@Tim_3100]

Still a great machine

[@jonnyspa27]

I didn’t have the XJR-9LM as a poster, but I did make the Tamiya kit when it was first released. I loved seeing the Jags at Le Sarthe and on US tele for IMSA races. Castrol was equally as beautiful as the Silk Cut schemes. ❤😎✨🇬🇧🏁🤩

[@LucasOliveira-tt2ll]

Ah yeah that time when Jag was Jag at the racetrack, good old days. TWR did some cheeky things with those cars after the 80's, some including one the most insane supercars ever made (the XJR-15, based on XJR-9) and the TWR prototypes that won Le Mans in the mid 90's (ironically powered by those Porsche engines that raced there for a lifetime)

[@kingalfred3902]

Powered by Porsche...??????and you people brag about a Jaguar ...????....lol...!!!!

[@DiogeneDeSin0pe]

Being from America, as a kid I did not know Silk Cut was a tobacco company, tought it was a brand of shavers.

[@GeeShocker]

Would have suited the name much better. 😎

[@l1a146]

Ahh Jaguar. Has a company ever been so hit and miss. They go through stages where we all go wtf. Every now and then they pull something astonishing out of the hat just in time to restore the faith and blowing everyone away. But recent history has it being the unwanted foster child, being passed from pillar to post. I dont think theres anything going to save it from its most recent owners / advertising campaign / direction. I have a real soft spot for Jags, but at this point. I wish that someone who understand Jag enthusiasts would buy it. Or just let it die. As for Brundle.... No arguments here. We need a feature video please.

[@escortjas]

A shout out to Group 44 from the states that had been running prototype Jag's in the IMSA series as well. Not sure why TWR got the nod over them but some of the stuff they did helped TWR with getting a head start.

[@gregorynagy8448]

Why? Nationalism. Walkinshaw and Southgate sold Egan and board on bringing the car development "home" rather than be run by a bunch of amateur American rednecks from VA. (their view, not mine)

[@claywoolcock3034]

G’day mate - long time subscriber and love your work. However I do have to disagree with one point in the video - Brundle is often quoted as saying the XJR-14 was the best car he ever drove - not the worst.

[@Mishima505]

Calling anything designed by Ross Brawn “bad” wouldn’t be a clever thing to do…

[@luisabreu1198]

Thank you I hope you make a video about Rondeau.

[@gnosticbrian3980]

Southgate's Shadow used Cosworth V8 engines; the Osella had Alfa Romeo V12s.

[@Tyindel]

Yes the editing aiden was correct the Helium was the BMW 3 series convertibles not British Leyland, from memory it was Hammond's that wouldn't hold it and he was very disapointed when his voice didn't go squeaky

[@bryancartmill9096]

Can we get a video on dpi

[@mattwhorlow9900]

You are so right that Group C was a fuel economy formula - and it was the BOP of its time - but interestingly it was Porsche with their turbo engine who has be be careful with their fuel economy not the Jag with its huge atmo engine. The Porsche could wind up the boost level for qualifying and short sections of the race, but then they would have to turn the boost down or run out of fuel - while the Jag could run flat out all the way. The '91 Jag XJR 14 - Kack?? I was waiting for the "only joking - of course it was a God tier car", but it never came. Martin Brundle described this as the Best car he had ever driven, not the worst (the worst may have been the TWR Nissan GT1 of 97?). If you have not done a video on the XJR-14 - you definitely need to do one. It redefined Group C, didn't race Le Mans as a Jag, but did the following year rebranded as a Mazda - then came back in the mid 90's with a Roof cut off and a Porsche engine in the back and won Le Mans twice.

[@AidanMillward]

@@mattwhorlow9900 I got fucked yo with my numbers again. It was the 11 he hated

[@JohnSmithShields]

This Brundle fellow sounds like he had potential, any other history on him?

[@philking7805]

A couple of things... The championship was the WSPC at the time (World Sports Prototype Championship) The BOP would still work if, like Porsche, you could flood the grid with "customer" cars The original XJR (the XJR5) came from Bob Tullius's Group44 IMSA programme in the States Walkinshaw were selected because they already had success with the XJ-S in the ETC Jag tried a 48 valve engine at Brands - it broke a distributor drive and had to retire - but the drivers hated it anyway because it made the centre of gravity even higher The problem under braking was that the engine braking from the huge V12 would lock the back wheels - the drivers found themselves keeping the throttle open under braking to avoid it Personally I thought the fuel efficiency rules worked well. Porsche (and latterly Mercedes) could run huge boost for qualifying but then had to wind it back for the race. Why F1 can't do this and feel it necessary to mandate the engine specs is a mystery to me

[@Ultegra10SPD]

The silk cut was good, but American kids still tended to prefer the Castrol livery.

[@fix0the0spade]

As a brit I prefer the Castrol too, it's just lovely. The BRG/White or BRG/Gold publicity paintjobs are stupendously pretty as well.

[@sneekeruk]

Im pretty sure I've got a photo of the Purple XJR14 that I would of took at the Motorshow at the NEC all the way back when it was new. I would of been 14 or so I guess.

[@Kreeschon]

the only "sims" i can think of featuring the Jags (or any Group C for that matter) are some older Forza games and Project Cars 2

[@AidanMillward]

@@Kreeschon yeah bollocks am I playing those.

[@djbadlt]

About a decade ago Chris Harris did a video where he got to drive an XJR-9 around a wet brands hatch indy circuit and talk about it before it went across an auction block

[@twallace755]

My uncle won Le Mans in 88, apparently the 4th to 5th gear change at the mulsanne was sketchy

[@carcrazy9530]

Your uncle is a legend. Would love to get him over to TWR in Newbury to show him our new project.

[@Kuromori-v9z]

7:36 No, Aidan, you were meant to say this car was a proper Jaaaaaaaaaaaaag.

[@LJW1912]

WOOOOOOO SPORTSCARS

[@luisabreu1198]

According to southgate "I had discovered that one of the worst areas for leakage was around the rear wheel, so I decided to cover the rear wheel and add a horizontal skirt to the lower edge" Southgate said. Reducing that leakage contributed that extra 10 percent of downforce.

[@johannessamuelsson6578]

The reason why you haven't heard of the Shah Alam circuit Selangor is because it closed in 2003. Supposedly, this circuit was replaced by Sepang International.

[@AC_702]

How come I always thought that Brundle loved the XJR-14? They waxed the field the entire year (1991) with that car

[@calummorris-astro]

I think it’s because he’s said it’s the best car he ever drove! There was even an exclusive in autosport today (27th) about it!

[@AidanMillward]

@@AC_702 it was the 11. My wires got crossed.

[@aviobrain]

How amusing, I gave you a thumbs up and I was number 917.....

[@Rager1981]

Redline GTP mod for n2k3 dawg!

[@AndrewGeierMelons]

The story of my F1600 livery in iRacing, this.

[@Holden308]

There is footage of Jackie Stewart testing the XJR-9 in 1988 at Silverstone (the old Silverstone, flat out everywhere except Woodcote). He said it was very rear heavy and felt more like a rear engine car than a mid engine one. And to his own embarrassment, and he owned up to getting it wrong ... Jackie crashed the one he tested.

[@DannyTheGFP]

Hey Walsall FC's number 1 fan. I have no interest in this video so im her to 'drop a like' and mute the tab (not the youtube mute, im not a monster) and leave it open in another window, just to help the analyticktits. i might forget to close it so your next few videos will get a double view from me as ive watched them all

[@DawgPro]

WoW ! What timing? Sorrey Aidan... but I think you ran with us at CMS a few time. Storm Gang Simulation and CMSRacing just produced a new 1985 mod for rFactor2. So full 2025 Group C schedule with a couple of practice race in early January. ( watch?v=7eDeDtucdBI )

[@MrSaywutnow]

Are any of the graphic designers who worked for Big Tobacco in the 70s and 80s still around? We need them designing liveries again.

[@QALibrary]

Has Aidan done a video on The Bentley Speed 8 and their 2003 win?

[@hamtairo]

Silk Cat Jaguar sounded more wicked 😼

[@JackKeithley]

Smoking and alcohol sponsors really make the best liveries. Everything from NASCAR to F1 to WSC. The 1997 F1 season was probably my favorite for liveries where half the grid alone was draped in cancer stick money.

[@kingalfred3902]

What is this whining about alcohol and cigarettes livery ...????....i dont smoke !! ....and i dont use alchohol.....!!!!.It doesnt bother me ...!! We are all adults ....you decide what you like or not ...!! it is freedom of choice ...To all you whining activists ....BACK OFF ...!!!...Nobody asked your opinion...!!!!

[@carl48899]

I still prefer the 787B, though.

[@Exponaut_R-01]

How often do we even get purple race winners? Let alone purple and gold ones.

[@AidanMillward]

@@Exponaut_R-01 loads of times if it’s Lewis Hamilton

[@stuartross282]

1988 Leman win the story of the car was stuck in 4th gear

[@simontravers2715]

Why does this car always remind me of a basketball jersey? LA Lakers to be exact

[@fuller9x]

Jaaaag didn't win LeMans. They merely borrowed the trophy to see if it would fit in the vestibule and forgot to return it.

[@stuartross282]

Irony is TWR jaguar chassis ended up as a TWR Porsche 95 WSC with engine out off 956

[@AidanMillward]

@@stuartross282 one of them ended up being Mazdas 1992 car as well.

[@stuartross282]

@@AidanMillward that was abit of a failure

[@AidanMillward]

@@stuartross282 so was the 1992 WSC season 🤣

[@ibex485]

Carpe Jagulum. 😎

[@edwardburek1717]

All right, decision time. Which colour do you prefer on your XJR-9 - British Racing Green, or Silk Cut Purple?

[@DaHitch]

Since I suspect you'd prefer to know the correct pronunciation: In Dutch "oe" is considered a single vowel, so the pronunciation of the "o" and "e" is not separate. Joest rhymes with boost. But thanks for trying, I understand some Dutch pronunciations are quite strange for native English speakers. The more you know 🌈

[@ergoproxy-gx2cq]

4:42 i can imagine when the company execs were talking to the race organizers it went a bit like this: im a bit short on cash would you mind paying the race entree fees for me while i go warm up the Jaaaag

[@tjroelsma]

Yes, Jaguar beat Porsche, but that isn't that difficult if you build your car especially for that purpose. Jaguar was then beaten by Mercedes, who did to Jaguar what Jaguar did to Porsche. For me the really amazing thing is that Porsche lasted for só long at the top with those flat six turbo-charged cars. Remember that they started out with a "measly" 2,75-liter engine, that was later enlarged to 3,0 liters and then finally enlarged to 3,2 liters. That's still way less than the 5,0-liter twin-turbo charged Mercedes engines, let alone the 7-liter V12 Jaguar engines.

[@kingalfred3902]

Porsche .!!!.....WORLD BEATERS ....!!!!!......no WEC race is complete without some Porsches ...!!!!!....whisper....whisper ...!!!!.....I am a FERRARI Fanatic....!!!!..

[@pau1farcry]

The xjr9 is far to easy to drive in gt sport

[@chrishobson6431]

Sauber bmw..... thought it was a Mercedes

[@TinaJensen-f7g]

Your videos are not just information, they are true art. Thank you for your contribution to the culture on KZbin!⁉️💕‍♂️

[@sugarnads]

Meh. Renault handed porsche their asses in 1978.

[@AnnaRyanan]

Your ideas are always fresh and original. Thank you for the inspiration!🍖💬🐠