The purple, white and yellow Silk Cut Jaguar seen at Oulton Park was the Jaguar XJR-9 LM. More importantly, it was the actual No. 2 car that won the 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Jaguar XJR-9 was developed by Tom Walkinshaw Racing for international sports car competition. Its 7.0 litre, naturally aspirated Jaguar V12 produced approximately 750 bhp, giving the car the power and endurance required for Group C racing.

At Le Mans in 1988, the winning XJR-9 was driven by Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace. It completed 394 laps and secured Jaguar’s first overall victory at Le Mans since 1957. The achievement was even more remarkable because the car was stuck in fourth gear during the final part of the race.

The Silk Cut livery became one of the most recognisable colour schemes in endurance racing. Its combination of purple, white and yellow remains closely associated with Jaguar’s successful return to the front of international sports car competition during the 1980s.

The car appearing at Jaguars at Oulton Park was not simply a replica wearing a famous racing livery. It was the historic Le Mans winning XJR-9 preserved by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust.

Seeing the XJR-9 standing still provided an opportunity to appreciate its low bodywork, enclosed rear wheels, large aerodynamic surfaces and purposeful cockpit. Hearing its V12 engine and seeing it take part in the on track demonstration brought an entirely different dimension to the experience.

For event photography, a car like the Silk Cut Jaguar offers more than an attractive subject. Its colours, engineering and racing history allow a photograph to connect a modern event at Oulton Park with one of the most important victories in Jaguar’s motorsport history.

The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust has a detailed record of the 1988 Le Mans winning Jaguar XJR-9.