Classics Round 9: Cats at Spa

The big cats took to the forest as Shane and Tiara lined up in identical Jaguar XJS coupes for a 44-lap contest at Spa. Though better known for its grand touring comfort, the XJS has a surprising motorsport legacy—including a class win at Spa in 1984 under Tom Walkinshaw Racing during the European Touring Car Championship. This race brought that history full circle.

Tiara’s #2 car showed flashes of brilliance, setting the fastest lap of the race with a 9.456, but her aggressive push proved costly. Mistakes crept in as she tried to keep up with and overtake Shane, and by the time the checkered flag dropped, she had completed only 36 laps.

Shane’s #4 XJS ran faultlessly. He never reached Tiara’s outright pace, but lap after lap, he stayed on track and in control—completing all 44 laps and finishing 8 laps clear. His steady hand once again proved the winning formula in the Classics Series. Shane is also now 4-0 to Tiara when it comes to Jaguars.

Next up: Monza, where the howling V12s of identical Lamborghini Countachs will take center stage, followed by a high-stakes rematch in the 2007 F1 cars.