This is Edgar Boles driving his 1960 Mk II Jaguar 3.8L Saloon.
Edgar Boles, Jaguar Mk II

The Mk II and the XK 140 are both solid axle Jaguars of about the same weight.
1960 Mk II Jaguar Saloon
And both cars take Turn 5 at Elkhart Lake in similar fashion.
1955 XK 140 Coupe
Note all the tire marks on the pavement from oversteer spins!

In the Continuing Saga of this fine Mk II Racer, after Edgar traded it for another car,
our new friend Tad Takasu from Japan bought it and has freshened it for racing on his home circuits.

Tad Takasu, 11/2001, Twinling Motegi

As you can see, Tad's not bashful about getting right into the thick of things!

Tad Takasu, 11/2001, Twinling Motegi

November 15, 2001

Dear Leaping Cats Racing,

Here is my report on Nov.10, Historic Automobile Festival Race in Twinling Motegi:

  • 1. Time trial for Starting Grid.
    It was in heavy rain against our hope and weather report for the area. I had no choice to use BMW 320 6in.rim with radial tire that we know it has a same Hub bolt pattern. At the middle of the first lap my engine temp. started to rise. I had to pull in to our pit area then found out that my new water pump Pulley base had loosened from a shaft and touched the newly re-cored Radiator. The damage on the Radiator was minimum and Pulley was fixed in 2 hours by the time our Race started.
  • 2. The Touring Car Cup Race
    I started from the End of 28 cars, Road surface was getting dry at the start because of no rain for 2 hours and I decided to use Slick Tires. MK-2 and I are passing a lot of cars even with a Vibration comes from a self welded Harmonic Damper to limit my rpm - to 5000.
    At the last lap I was 10th over all 2nd in class to X-Works Cortina Lotus. And chasing Mini Cooper at close range then I lost Clutch control which then became engaged all the time, couldn't downshift till I realized an estuation. Spanned and back to the Finish Line without clutch, finished 14th over all, 3rd in Class.
    It was great feeling that this MK-2 is fantastic. Car was 5 sec./lap. Faster than fully prepared last years champion MK-2 in the race.
    Next Race is Jan. 13th, 2002 at Suzuka Circuit. I had the car re-painted. It is painted in Bright Maroon that look almost Red under the Sun. Thank you for big support. Hope you and your families well.

    Best regards,

    Tad Takasu

    • The MK I and MK II Jaguars had a long, proud racing
    career in the British Touring Car Championships.
    MK II's at Goodwood, 1961
    On the front line for the start are Mike Parkes,
    Roy Salvadori, Graham Hill and Bruce McLaren
    With some practice, any one of these guys could
    have possibly made the LeapingCats Racing Team!!

    We take some time to train the "Next Generation" of racers, too.
    Anne Veale take a turn or two at Karting!
    Here's Anne making a run for the Checkered Flag!

    Larry Ligas drove nearly 3 hours of the 6 hr Inside Enduro!
    Larry Ligas hangs it out - and turns fasts lap.
    For those of you that haven't tried this, it's TIRING!!!!!

    Gratten Raceway in Michigan is one of the more challanging tracks for Jaguars.
    Tom Veale at Gratten Speedway in Michigan

    The Carrousel at Mid-Ohio is also a very hard series of corners for the '53 XK 120.
    Carrousel exit onto Start/Finish straight, Mid-Ohio

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