Page 5 - On the Prowl: The Definitive History of the Walkinshaw Jaguar Sports Car Team

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It was a sweet win for the two friends, who had been required to run a
blistering record pace of over 100 mph to keep the marauding hordes of rivals
at bay. Even without the mighty Mercedes, it was an impressive victory, and
a great advertisement for the new World Sportscar Championship.„6
Despite the terrific win by the C-type in 1953, the Jaguar team knew
it was in need of replacement, and development was already underway
on what would become known as the D-type. Its roots were clearly in its
predecessor, but there was a missing link in a specially modified C-type
that was referred to as the “light alloy car.” It was tested throughout 1953,
with its new body style, synchromesh gearbox and SU carburetors all in
place, in preparation for the next car, which was greenlit in the fall of 1953.
vLocal newspaper Le Maine breathlessly declares “The Jaguars brilliantly
take the 24 Hours, winning 1st, 2nd and 4th places, breaking all records
and crossing the 4000 km threshold.” Elsewhere they note that Jaguar
had played its cards close to the chest and all three finished, while it
was a “disaster” for the Italian cars. The sad fate of the #16 Ferrari is
also reported, Tom Cole having died instantly when thrown from his 340
Barchetta. (Terry Larson)
◊ Duncan Hamilton brings XKC051 across the finish line to win the 1953
Le Mans 24 Hours with his co-driver Tony Rolt. The winning margin was
four laps over his team-mates Stirling Moss and Peter Walker, five laps
in hand over the third place Cunningham of Phil Walters and John Fitch.
(Plain English Archive)
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