Vintage Racecar Enthusiasts to Experience Jaguar's Fastest Models at Indy this Weekend

Davy Jones, legendary sportscar racer and lead instructor with the Jaguar Performance Driving Academy, tells us about Jaguar brand’s involvement with this weekend’s Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA)-organized Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


  

You have an action-packed weekend ahead; can you give us some more information on what will be going on?

It’s the second in a series of seven Jaguar-sponsored SVRA races being held this year. Just a couple of weeks ago, Jaguar announced its partnership with the SVRA to sponsor key races throughout the year - and give race-goers the chance to experience some of Jaguar’s newest, and most-exciting models. Throughout the weekend, we have a terrific test-drive program with the latest 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE R all-wheel drive coupes and convertibles. I also get to drive a vintage Jaguar XKE in one of the key races.

How big is the race weekend?

There are close to 600 vintage and historic race cars entered in the many different classes of competition. This Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational is probably the biggest in SVRA’s calendar, with racers and enthusiasts traveling from all over the country to attend. They are some of the most passionate and knowledgeable automotive enthusiasts out there. It is a tremendous opportunity for Jaguar to showcase its latest models, like the 2016 F-TYPE R all-wheel drive coupe and convertible.



 

Tell us about the test-drive program you have planned.

We have seven 550-horsepower 2016 F-TYPE R all-wheel drive models for consumers to test-drive. We’ve laid out this challenging and fun autocross course that will let spectators and race team members really experience the cars’ sensational acceleration, handling and braking. They’ll have a Jaguar instructor in the car with them to explain the features and coach them on how to really experience the remarkable performance and handling of the F-TYPE. I can’t tell you how many times people get out of a car they’ve driven at one of our events and tell us: “I never knew a Jaguar performed like this. The car is amazing”.


 

We heard you held a special test-drive program for local retailers.

This past Wednesday, we hosted guests from local retailers in the Indianapolis area. These were a mix of potential customers and dealer staff. In addition to experiencing the F-TYPE R AWDs on the autocross course, we were able to take them out on the actual 2.4-mile track the SVRA will be using for the races this weekend. It includes the main straightaway at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is always fun, especially in a 550-horsepower F-TYPE R. In addition to getting coaching from our instructors, they were also given hot laps to really show them the car’s capabilities.
 

On Sunday, you’ll be switching duties from instructor to race car driver. Tell us more.

I’m excited to be driving the well-known 1961 Jaguar XKE roadster racecar that’s owned by Larry Ligas, who runs Predator Performance. The car is very light and very powerful, but it does have the slight challenge of having its steering wheel on the right. I’ll be sharing the driving with Larry in Sunday’s hugely-competitive 90-minute enduro race. It should, like this entire weekend, be a lot of fun.



 

Thank You SVRA for setting up the ride for the Historic Enduro on Sunday.
 

For more information on this weekend’s SVRA-organized Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, go to www.svra.com