Hi All!!
I am considering autocrossing my 98 xk8 in a week or so. Have never autocrossed!!! Anyone out there have any tips or advice on handling the xk8 for this type of track run???

Many thanks!!!!

 

Autocross in and XK8?

Wrong type of car for this applicaition

 

Could you give an explanation as to why it is the wrong application??? Many thanks!!!!

 

Compete against yourself to see if your driving skills improve with additional runs. Ideally, autocross vehicles are very small, light and nimble with stiff suspensions.

Your Jaguar is made to cruise in comfort with some sporting capability... not ideal for autocrossing.

Study online about how to properly drive a car through a corner and pay attention to 'apex', braking and acceleration techniques.

Here is a video of a girl having fun with autocross:
Here is something slightly more advanced and includes techniques that are beyond what you'll need your first time (don't worry about heel/toe braking and acceleration right now). Autocross Basics

Concentrate on your vehicle positioning and build your confidence as you get more involved. If you want to see what a more appropriate car can do in the autocross, ask for a ride in a vehicle driven by someone that is already pretty good at it. Warning: you may want to go out and buy a second car, like a Miata, to use at your next autocross event!

It's all about the fun. Go for it!

 

You are trying to make the car do what it is not made to do, basically you are trying to take a heavy car with a suspension made for bumpy roads and turn it into a race car. It can be done, you will need to lighten the load, stiffen up the suspension and you will have an 'OK' car for auto crossing. But if you want to keep the car, I would get racing insurance. Before you go out to the track, you need to look up the cost, most tracks require a roll bar and 5 point harness is a MUST have and new tires, safety inspection and I am sure I am missing something.
Call your local track or better yet, go to a race and talk to drivers. I have not done it in 10 years, it was a blast in my vette.

 

I totally agree with the responses above. You can force this car to autocross. It does not want to do it. I have owned lots of sports cars. Some have been great for autocross or track days. This is not one of them. Too big. Too heavy. I wonder how much tire rubber you can chunk off if you really push it?

Jack

 

Is an XK8 a great autocross car? No. Will you set the fastest lap? No. Will you have a fun time? Hell yes! Just go and have a good time. Try to be smooth and learn with each lap. Also, most autocrosses devide the cars into classes so its likely that you'll be competing with cars more similar to yours and not the Miatas. Good luck, have fun.

 

I have memories of my first autocross in my new 64 XKE in 1965. It pretty much immediately understeered into a curb and required surgery. Too much power, too heavy in front and a driver with too little experience equals time sitting in the frame/alignment shop. I used to autocross my 69 TR6 and it did pretty well, I just held it in first till the valves floated. Autocrossing is very hard on the equipment. If you are ready to deal with that, autocross away!

 

XKR would be far better at autocross than an XK8.

 

Looks like fun, but like the guys have said to make it perform will cost $$$$ and then it will be nasty to drive on roads.....