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12th Dec 2003: Heinz 57: As a Jaguar mechanic, I always fancied trying my hand at racing, and decided to build my own car, and race it in the Championship run by the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club. The saloon car championship has a variety of classes on the grid, and I decided to go for class "A", which the rules state have to be road legal. Limited modifications are allowed, although several are mandatory for safety reasons. All competitors have the same tyres. My car is a 5 speed standard 4.2 litre XJ6. The chassis was taken from an old car, a second hand engine from another, and various parts were taken from breakers. Hence the Heinz 57 varieties.
It has been fitted with roll bars.
The fuel tanks were taken out of the rear wings and a new one put in the boot. That was basically enough to make the car race ready, though inevitably there were a few tweaks needed, once I started racing. The cars operate at extreme limits on a race track, and problems arise that just aren't there on the road. In my initial testing on the track, the car wouldn't run properly after a few laps. This was due to the petrol surging in the tank, once some fuel had been used. I solved this by installing a duel fuel pump. By the end of a race the brakes would overheat. I cured this by designing a rear vented disc, and several other drivers have now installed these as well. I made and installed a replacement exhaust system. I reduced as much weight as possible, by taking out non essential parts, that didn't have to be kept, under the rules. I eventually had to replace the engine.
The last few years have been a steep learning curve, from learning to race and realising that there is a big difference between preparing a car for the road, and one for the race track, (even a road legal car!). I am now planning on building a new car. It won't be ready in time for the 2004 season, but I plan to post a report on its development, so please check back. 24th Feb 2004: The Preparations Continue As the 2004 season approaches, I continue to work on my Jaguar XJ6 saloon, to get it ready for the first race.
My main focus in the close season was to overhaul the top end of the engine and modify the breather. My aim is to put the XJ6 on a rolling road and play with the settings to try and squeeze a few more bhp out of it, and then test it on a track day before the first race. I still need new shockers and tyres for the start of the season, and will probably replace the doors, and perhaps a quick paint job, and then- I’m ready to roll and look forward to a cracking season. If you are interested in sponsoring me, and want a link/advert on this site and a sticker on my car, please contact me via the website, from the link on the left. An XJ6 is Born:14th Mar 2004
15th Jun 2004: 2 Driver Sports V Saloon race at Snetterton If you have never been to see the XJ6's race, you may not know that the full race programme includes other marques, and some of todays other races includes Porsches, MG's, Lotus, Sunbeams, and Chevrolets. The final race of the day was a 30 minute 2 driver Sports V Saloon car challenge and whilst Porsche, Lotus, Aston Martin, and a Mustang were amongst the starters, the crowd were only interested in the real race with Howard Kirkham/Carl Gannon challenging the Dave Bye/Andy Gardner duo in their Jaguar XJ6's. All four drivers freely admit they are the best (even Michael Schumacher would struggle against these drivers. Well he would if he had to use the same tyres!) Howard and Dave started the race and once again Howard was 1 position higher than Dave on the starting grid. In a repeat of the start of the Parc Ferme challenge race, Dave had passed Howard by the time they reached the "Russell" chicane on the first lap. This time however Howard managed to pass Dave, only for Dave to get back in front, and Howard to re-take the lead with a great manoeuvre through Russells. Both cars immediately pulled into the pit for the driver change. Andy Gardner came out first and opened a big lead over Carl Gannon. He was so shocked to be so far in front that he turned the car round on the track to get a better look at the everybody behind him! After Andy got going again he couldn't believe he could no longer see Carl in his rear view mirror, so he spun the car round to see where Carl was! (He had pulled in as a precaution when the oil light came on). Very entertaining Andy, but not the best way to get good lap times! The drivers and the spectators enjoyed this fun race, with the wide variety of cars, completely mis-matched and lots of overtaking, and look forward to more of these in the future. 
4th June 2005: The Work Continues on the new XJ6 coupe Just posting a few pics of the new car. Progress is steady on the build, but mainly preparation of parts to go in the car, so not a lot to look at. It has now been painted, the next step is to start putting it all back together, so just a few pics to give an idea of how it will look before the stickers go on.
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This is a top secret development project. Details are posted here for authorised personnel only. If you are reading this and are not authorised you will self destruct in 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 7 - 7, ooh, I must get a little hand on this watch!
I have already designed and had made a new shape fuel tank. It has a bigger base, but is not as tall (to prevent the fuel surges which plagued the first car, and to lower the centre of gravity, when the tank is full).
