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Jaguar XJR-9 Track Tim Scott ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions
Jaguar XJR-9 Track

The Jaguar XJR-9 that won the 1990 Daytona 24 Hours will be among the headline offerings at the RM Auctions Amelia Island 2015 auction, scheduled for March 14th on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Amelia Island, Florida.

Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Auctions Europe, said, “We’re thrilled to have been entrusted with the Works Jaguar XJR-9 for our Amelia Island sale. Its offering is made all the more special given 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of its win at Daytona.It is a true work of art that effortlessly blends great design and engineering with incredible performance. The lines are fantastic – it appears fast even when standing still – and then there’s the massive V-12 engine that can help propel it to a blistering 240 mph. Despite all this, it is not an intimidating car. Having driven it recently, I can attest that it is a delight to drive and easy to handle.”

The works Jaguar XJR-9, chassis 388, on offer at the 2015 RM Amelia Island sale was the last of three cars constructed for the 1988 IMSA GT Championship, run by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), and the only remaining example of just two XJR-9 chassis ever manufactured as purpose-built IMSA specification cars.

Prior to its most famous victory in 1990, #388 enjoyed two successful seasons in 1988 and 1989. In 1988, predominantly in the hands of Davey Jones and Jan Lammers, the car achieved four podium finishes and never finished a race outside of the top seven, an achievement that helped the Jaguar team secure third place in the IMSA constructor’s championship, stamping its authority in both IMSA and Group C racing.

During the 1989 season, #388 was an equally strong contender, achieving three front-row starts including a pole position, four second-row starts and eight overall podium finishes. The ‘89 season saw Price Cobb and John Nielsen join the car’s driver roster, leading it to a record that saw it finish on the podium for two-thirds of all the races it competed in.

By the start of 1990 season, #388 was fully developed into XJR-12 specification and went on to win the season’s headline event, the 24 Hours of Daytona, in the hands of Davey Jones, Jan Lammers and Andy Wallace. The victory was a high point in Jaguar’s endurance racing history, especially after having finished second overall with this car at Daytona in 1989. #388 also secured a podium finish at Sebring in 1990.

The historic Works XJR-9 Jaguar will lead a roster of more than 80 automobiles at the RM Auctions Amelia Island 2015 auction. Celebrating its 17th year as the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2015, the RM sale returns to the Ritz-Carlton, March 14. For more information, visit rmauctions.com or phone toll-free at 800.211.4371 (+1 519 352 4575 outside North America).

Video highlighting the car with commentary from Max Girardo and Martin Brundle, TWR Jaguar Driver:

[Source: RM Auctions; photos: Tim Scott / Fluid Images]