Jaguar XJR-17

Andy Evans approached Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) about the possibility of running a full-works IMSA GTP Jaguar sports prototype for the 1991 IMSA GT Championship season, but such a deal proved unworkable.[2] However, as TWR were winding down their project, a deal was struck to instead strip down a Jaguar XJR-16 for use in the IMSA Camel Lights championship.[2] David Fullerton designed the car, dubbed the XJR-17, whilst TWR SVO and Andy Morrison were the constructors.[2] The XJR-16 chassis was stripped down to reduce cost and parts from various Jaguar XJR Sportscars were installed: the front wing came from the XJR-14, the rear wing came from one of the XJR-9, the gearbox casing was a mixture of XJR-11 tunnels and the XJR-16's bellhousing, and the nose was remodelled in the style of the XJR-14, as was the engine inlet.[2] The engine was essentially the XJR-16's 3.5-litre V6, but with the twin-turbochargers removed;[2] in this configuration, it produced a claimed 450 hp (336 kW; 456 PS).[1]

Win Percy gave the XJR-17 its first shakedown at Enstone Airfield before a test session was held at Snetterton.[3] However, the deal collapsed, and Hugh Chamberlain instead was to use the car as a Group C2 entrant in the 1992 24 Hours of Le Mans.[3] Chamberlain, however, was also unable to get enough funding to compete, and the car, already prepared for the Le Mans qualifying session, was not used in the event.[3] The XJR-17 eventually ended up in the hands of Brian Chatfield, who ran the car in a few minor races held at Castle Combe in 1993 and 1994,[4] whilst racing driver John Grant used it in some races from 2003 until 2004.[5]