ENGINE UPGRADE FOR RSR 911
The JWA GT Porsche will receive a boost in performance latter this month with an engine upgrade. A 3.8 litre flat six will replace the existing power plant, thereby significantly improving the torque and driveability. This is the latest development on a long list of proposed work by the JWA engineers.
GT TEAM TO TEST AT SPA AHEAD OF 24HR RACE
Paul Daniels and Allan Simonsen will lay down some valuable testing mileage at Spa later this week in preparation for the upcoming 24-hour race. This official test gives the team an opportunity to fine-tune the cars handling characteristics and find the best balance of tyre performance and endurance.
ALLAN SIMONSEN CONFIRMS FOR SPA 24HR
The GT team is excited to announce that they have acquired the services of talented Danish driver, Allan Simonsen for the Spa 24hr. Allan has recently been plying his trade racing in both LMES and GT3 championships with factory-backed Autorlando Sport and JMB Racing Ferrari, respectively.
GO AUSSIE GO – BRYCE WASHINGTON JOINS TEAM FOR NURBURGRING
22-year-old Bryce Washington is one of the most talented drivers to emerge from South Australia in recent years and has quickly made his mark. Introduced by Allan Simonsen, Bryce has confirmed that his LMES and European debut will be with James Watt Automotive at the legendary Nurburgring.
JWA TO ASSIST LOCAL INVENTOR
JWA has a diverse customer base to match its broad capabilities. The design department has been asked to finalise three-dimensional CAD models for a local inventor and then assisting him with prototyping his invention. Watch this space!
GT TEAM TO RACE SPA 24HR
James Watt Automotive can confirm their entry into this years Spa 24 hour race, held over the weekend 29/30th July. “This is an exciting development for JWA and is a logical progression from our current LMES racing programme.” This will be the team’s maiden experience of a full 24hr event and will push their GT project one step near to racing at Le Mans 24hr next year.
JACK ELSEGOOD TO RACE AT NURBURGRING
Former Australian ruby league player, Jack Elsegood is keen to get back into the RSR again after his emotional drive in Spa. Elsegood, now a property developer ‘down under’, has provisionally booked his seat in the JWA prepared Porsche at Nurburgring.
MOTORSPORT MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Motorsport (The Original Motor Racing Magazine) is re-launched this month and James Watt Automotive is providing the motivation for a new section. JWA’s aspirations in both restoration and racecar preparation are laid bare in an excellent article based on an interview with James Watt {Volume LXXXII No.6 – June 2006}.
SPA 24HR DREAM A STEP NEARER
The FIA have now confirmed that cars from both LMES and FIA GT championships can enter the Spa24hr in July. The Spa 24 Hours remains as the highlight of the FIA GT season and today’s announcement brings JWA closer to its GT project ambitions. THE
BATTLE OF SPA – RACE RESULTS
Heroic drives from Xavier Pompidou, Paul Daniels and Jack Elsegood successfully got the RSR to the chequered flag in a classified position - 25th overall. The trio had their work cut out after an incident at Eau Rouge on the first lap left the Porsche heavily damaged. See the RACE REPORT for more info…
HESKETH TAKES RACE VICTORY AT BRANDS
James Watt Automotive were invited to reverse the fortunes of Mike Wrigley’s ailing Hesketh-308E at the Grand Prix Masters event at Brands Hatch. The Hesketh had previously been plagued by problems until the JWA mechanics got their hands on it. Applying rational engineering techniques to the problem, coupled with skilful driving soon paid dividends – 2nd in Race 1 and a lights to flag victory in Race 2!
DESIGN TEAM TO MODEL 1920 FRAZIER NASH CYLINDER HEAD
JWA’s 3D modelling techniques is adaptable and can be applied to varied design applications including; their latest project – a 1920 Frazier Nash cylinder head. The original design will be modified to include four inlets and then replicated in-house by CNC machining.
XAVIER POMPIDOU TO DRIVE JWA PORSCHE
After a successful GT test programme, JWA will head for Spa buoyed by securing the services of current LMES GT2 champion Xavier Pompidou, Paul Daniels and Aussie racer (ex rugby star) Jack Elsegood.
JWA RESTORES A PIECE OF HISTORY
JWA have meticulously dismantled a Matra V12 engine untouched for over 30 years. Every element of the engine was measured, analysed and recorded. The data forms part of the MS670B restoration projects and will be used to improve performance on the current build of three Matra V12’s.
NEW RSR GETS SEXY MAKEOVER
JWA have launched this year’s 2006 LMES campaign with a bang – new car and new livery! A stunning pearlescent blue with body-hugging lines that show off the RSR’s curves has replaced the plain colours on the old RS.
JWA BUILDS 410 BHP MATRA V12
Recent research and development has led to the construction of a 410 BHP Matra V12 by JWA engineers. The engine previously rated at 378 BHP, underwent piston design changes and piston ring modifications (total seal) in order to create the extra power. The changes increased the compression ratio and reduced blow-by, in order to generate the 8.5% increase in power.
WESTBROOK TO TEST RSR AT DONINGTON PARK
The JWA mechanics have enthusiastically prepared the new GT3 911 Porsche for its maiden outing in 2006. Richard Westbrook (current British Porsche Cup champion) will shakedown the RSR at Donington Park later this week.
MATRA 670B-05 BACK ON TRACK - 30 YEARS ON!
The sight of a Matra powered MS670 roaring round a race track was revived today when the JWA restored car hit the track at Donington Park for its maiden test, 30 years after the car finished 3rd at Le Mans. The car ran faultlessly all day, posting consistently quick times. JWA’s modern engineering approach gave the car drivability and good handling characteristics that made it “a joy to drive.”
NEW! BMW MINI 64MM THROTTLE BODY
JWA has launched a bespoke 64mm throttle body for BMW Mini Cooper S. Designed, CNC machined and built in-house, it is sold through Lohen.co.uk as the largest throttle body available on the market.
JWA SET TO BUILD A TWIN-CHARGE MINI ENGINE
Lohen.co.uk have requested that JWA build of the first twin charge BMW Mini engine in the UK. The addition of a turbo to the standard supercharger should increase the power to over 300 BHP – a 40% increase over a Works Cooper S!
DANIELS TO RACE NEW 911 PORSCHE IN 2006
Paul Daniels is back in a James Watt Automotive prepared Porsche for 2006, and has bought the ex Pierre Ehret 996 GT3-RSR for the campaign. The RSR has a 3.6 litre engine producing approximately 440 BHP. This coupled with its updated aero package, gives significant performance gains over last year RS.
MATRA WHEEL DESIGNS SURPASS EXPECTATIONS
JWA’s new three-piece Matra wheels have surpassed expectations – not only replicating the original styling but also coming in under weight! JWA’s three-piece design concentrates the mass at its centre, consequently reducing its moment of inertia and improving vehicle handling.
MODIFYING YOUR MINI WITH RACE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
JWA have been chosen to provide engineering support to Lohen.co.uk, a modern company specialising in BMW Mini modifications. Projects include; race bucket seat kits, throttle body redesign, and supercharger upgrades.
JWA TO RESTORE THIRD MS670 JWA have been commissioned to re-build a third V12 Matra MS670B for Abba Kogan. The car finished 3rd at Le Mans in 1973, and will provide many of the original components required for another restoration. However, this gives the team an opportunity to employ its bespoke engineering, machining and fabrication capabilities to a worthy cause. JWA TO RACE LMES IN 2006 After last years successful debut season in the GT3 RS Porsche, James Watt Automotive will challenge the best in Europe by competing for another season in the Le Mans Series. The 2006 series offers one of the most rich and diverse GT grids in the world with no less than 12 makes + 16 models in the prototypes, and 9 makes + 13 GT models.
JWA TO REPLICATE HISTORIC RACING WHEEL-CENTRES
JWA’s new modelling and CNC machining capabilities have now made it possible to replicate historic racing wheels for use in FIA approved championships. “Our approach gives us the ability to 3D model, stress analyse, redesign, and manufacture three-piece replica wheels for many differing styles.”
HEADLINERS AT STONELEIGH MOTORSPORT SHOW
JWA shared a stand with partners: Mill Lane Engineering and MCP Tooling Technologies at Stoneleigh this year. The stand was dominated by JWA’s recent restoration projects; including the beautifully finished E-Type and race-ready MS670B-05 that demonstrated the company’s bespoke engineering excellence.
JAGUAR E-TYPE RESTORATION FINISHED IN RECORD TIME!
The JWA mechanics have pulled-out-all-the-stops to finish the Jaguar E-Type restoration in record time. The Mill Lane commission needed a complete overhaul, renovation and rebuild – in under a month! “Just one of the advantages of using a professional racecar preparer.” See report for more details…
JWA TO RESTORE LE MANS WINNING MATRA
JWA have been given the honour of restoring the 1973 Le Mans winning Matra back to original condition – complete with patina! The No. 11 V12 powered MS670B-02 won the prestigious race in the capable hands of Henri Pescarolo and Gerard Larrousse. Thirty years on, the car has become a mismatch of differing parts and will require monumental efforts by JWA to return it to former glory.
MILL LANE ENGINEERING CHOOSE JAMES WATT AUTOMOTIVE
JWA have been commissioned by Mill Lane Engineering to do all of its UK based restoration work. Mill Lane specialises in the prestigious classic car market, and has identified JWA’s broad engineering capabilities as a significant benefit to their ambitions. JWA’s first charge will be restoring a Jaguar E-Type Roadster in time for this years Stoneleigh show.