Jag returns to track

The 1960 Jaguar MK 2 is currently owned by local Chris Lavender, who bought the car in July this year.

Mr Lavender has been working with Jeff Hemming from All You Need Forbes to get the car ready for racing and the pair are very excited to be competing in the Bathurst Supersprint race today at Mount Panorama.

“It’s the first time we’ve been to the event and the first time the car has been raced in a long time,” Mr Lavender said.

The racing Jag can reach speeds of 150-160 miles per hour but Mr Lavender said today’s race is not about winning.

“We’re taking it out to show it off for our own personal experience,” he said.

“I love showing it off.”

“We’re not aiming to win, we’re just aiming to go - it’s a lifetime opportunity for both of us,” Mr Hemming said.

“We’re looking forward to it, it’ll be a bit of a thrill.”

When Mr Lavender first bought the Jaguar, he had no idea about it’s history with Stirling Moss and only discovered how special it was when he started reading the paperwork.

“It’s the only car in Australia that has especially been built for Stirling Moss,” he said.

“He even made a special trip back to Australia to take the wooden steering wheel out, which was his personal steering wheel.”

The car has been raced at Bathurst and Amaroo Park and all over the place.

Mr Lavender said he has had old cars before but this Jaguar represents a lifetime dream, which is even more special considering he bought it for a very reasonable price.

He has since been offered $150,000 for it, but won’t sell.

“I’m very attached to it - I think I’ll keep it,” Mr Lavender said. “I haven’t had a toy for years.”

Mr Lavender and Mr Hemming are also busy working on another Jaguar, which they hope to bring to the same standard as the 1960 Jaguar MK 2.

“That’s the one we’re aiming at for our own fun but also to show what we can do,” Mr Hemming said.

The men said it’ll take about 10 months and a lot of hard work to get the old Jaguar up to scratch with everything to be done at All You Need.