Kirk, Ibm no Jaguar expert, but I would guess that 400 HP out of an old
school 4.2 stroker motor might be pushing it a bit. I assume you meant they
enlarged it to 4.3, but even with that small increase that is about double
what they originally had. Without forced induction, thatbs a pretty big
increase out of what was already a performance engine. I suppose itbs
possible.
And, yeah, I think the only possibility of the Cobras all getting beat was
that they were all small blocks and not very highly modified. I find it hard
to believe that a 289 oversquare V8 would not be able to develop a bunch more
horsepower than a 250 or so undersquare straight 6. I think the Cobras were
considerably lighter, as well. Though, in racing trim, who knows?
Whatever the case, I will say that the early XKE convertible was one of the
best looking cars ever made. Never cared much for the hardtops, though.
There is an E-type that often races at Road America that is no slouch, but he
isnbt giving many problems to big block Cobras or Corvettes.
Larry
From: Kirk Hargreaves
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 4:00 PM
To: Larry Daniels
Cc: spridgets at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Wine Country Classic Sonoma Infineon Raceway
Larry,
Well, one Cobra was in the lead for a bit until it broke down. This was the
only breakdown in that race. . and that Cobra might have faired well had it
not had mechanical issues. However, after that the Jag not only took the
field, but it did so by a good margin. Yet with that said, Infineon has short
straights with a lot of corners. Had it been a different track where the
Cobras could have stretched out, it probably would have been a different
story.
My guess is that the Cobra's were all small block versions. . . Factory 5 type
cars . . and by the sound and from what I saw, therefore none with 427's.
I tried to find the company that campaigns this Jag (on the internet) but
could not remember the name or find the same car.
As I recall, they were claiming that it was putting out over 400 HP. . does
this sound right for a 4.3 highly prepped engine with triple Webers, headers,
higher compression heads, etc etc?
If was for sure a fun experience watching a British car take and hold on to
the lead as it did.
Kirk
On Thu, May 26, 2011 at 1:39 PM, Larry Daniels <ladaniels at sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
I still remember a couple of years ago watching an E Type Jag, straight 6,
taking a field of V8 Cobra's as it made such wonderful sounds down the back
straight. The track tends to favor cars that are quick in the corners.
The
driver's comment after the race, "They can't catch the Cat in the corners."
This was a wonderfully prepped E-Type drop top that should be racing again
this season.
Here is a nice site showing some pics, first weekend in June, and such
regarding:
http://www.sonomauncorked.com/wine-country-events/annual-events/wine-countr
y-classic-vintage-car-races/
Kirk
_______________________________________________
Unless they were bone stock 260 or 289 Cobras and a highly modified Jag, I
can only assume that those must have been some exceptionally poorly driven
Cobras.
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