CARS SOLD, MILES TESTED, MEDIA FERRIED - PROGRESS ON JAGUAR XKR GT3 CONTINUES APACE AS SEASON LOOMS
The Apex Motorsport Jaguar XKR GT3 programme yesterday took significant strides forward with the completion of a full, trouble-free test day and the announcement that another team car has been sold.
At a very wet and windy Silverstone Circuit in Britain, former Jaguar Le Mans stalwart, David Leslie, put the new GT3 challenger through its paces - both with and without passengers. Alongside the planned test and development programme, part of the day was given over to members of the media who were invited by Apex Motorsport and Jaguar Cars to experience passenger rides in the car. All climbed out of the car with broad smiles on their faces, including very experienced chauffeur, Leslie, who was driving the car for the first time.
“This is really an excellent chassis. It handles extremely well, even in the very wet conditions, and it ran reliably all day. The aerodynamic balance, brakes and transmission are all very good and the car, of course, looks phenomenal. Apex is a very well organised team and I’m quite sure that the finished package will be capable of delivering success to all the team’s customers.”
Later in the day, when it was not so wet, potential customers and drivers had an opportunity to drive the car and the team was able to gather valuable data and feedback on the XKR’s track performance. Amongst those drivers was Chris Ryan, winner of the 2000 Ginetta Championship and former British GT and Touring Car runner, who will be partnering this car’s owner, Stuart Scott, in the 2007 FIA GT3 European Championship.
“I just had half a dozen laps and the track was still a bit greasy so I was being very cautious, not wanting to do anything silly with the car”, said Ryan. “It felt nice and had a good balance; that much was obvious in just those very few laps. You could see that the guys at Apex, Dave Ward and Les White in particular, have real pride in what they do and the car is very well put together from the off. I’m really looking forward to getting out in it again next week.”
Apex Motorsport’s Team Principal, Richard Lloyd, was pleased with progress. “A good day at the “office”. We plan to build on this with another day at Silverstone next week, this time on the Grand Prix circuit so we will then get a good idea of where we are in outright performance terms.”
The event at Silverstone came hot on the heels of news that another team car has been sold to a Swiss enthusiast. Apex Director, Harry Handkammer, was delighted with the move.
“Yes, we are obviously pleased that the programme is gathering pace now and we are receiving a lot of approaches from potential customers. As far as this most recent sale is concerned, we are in the unusual position of having an owner who doesn’t want to drive the car himself so we are actually looking for drivers. I somehow don’t think we’ll be looking for long!”
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