Mintex provides stopping power behind Jaguar Land Speed Record attempt

Date: Tuesday 26 April 2022

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TMD Friction’s renowned Mintex braking brand is providing the stopping power behind racing instructor and bodyshop owner Kevin Bourne’s Jaguar XJ6, as he looks to write his name in the history books and break a land speed record for Jaguar cars.

Bourne, a self-confessed ‘petrolhead’ and speed lover, is aiming to hit speeds of 226 miles per hour over the seven-mile course on the fastest racetrack in the world, Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, in an attempt to set a new Jaguar land speed record.

However, the challenge, which is set to take place during Speedweek on 6th – 12th August, is no mean feat, and has been years in the making to ensure every last detail has been taken into consideration.

Safety is naturally of paramount importance during the challenge, and Bourne has made every attempt to make the vehicle as safe as possible.

The vehicle’s speed will be significantly reduced by the use of a parachute, but its braking components are crucial to the challenge, and that’s why Bourne opted for a quality brand that he could trust with Mintex.

Mintex has provided bespoke racing pads and discs for the vehicle to ensure they can offer the performance, durability and reliability to endure the high demand that will be placed on them to stop the Jaguar at such high speeds.

Bourne said:

“Mintex has been stopping Jaguars since the 1950s. They got it right then and are still going strong all these decades later, so it’s clear they’re doing something right! Mintex braking is synonymous with classic vehicles and heritage goes hand in hand with quality, and with braking being such an essential element of this project, it was a natural choice for me.”

Bourne has also fitted a non-standard roll cage within a roll cage and upgraded the vehicle’s cooling systems, providing larger capacity for oil cooling, in line with specific guidelines of South California Timing Association. Representatives will also thoroughly check the vehicle over before the challenge to ensure all requirements have been adhered to.

The XJ6 will also be put under its paces at Elvington before making the trip to Utah to ensure all elements are fully prepared and in good working order.

The long-term project features an 8.73 litre Quad Cam V12 based on Jaguar’s legendary racing prototype engine and has been built bespoke by Bourne to offer maximum power. Bourne chose the XJ6 as an acknowledgement for his love of classic cars, and thanks to its streamlined shape and long-wheel base.

Bourne added:

“I’ve always loved a challenge, from building my first engine at the age of nine in my dad’s shed, to coming up the idea of breaking the Jaguar land speed record with a bespoke classic car in the pub one night; this project has been seven years in the making, and I’d like to thank my sponsors for helping to make the dream become a reality. No one thought I could do it – I’ve done the hard part in building the car, now I just need to break that record!”

Richard Barton, category manager for Mintex Racing at TMD Friction, said:

“This is an exciting project, and one that we’re proud to be a part of, as it highlights that Mintex braking pads and discs are able to deliver time and time again in the most extreme conditions. We wish Kevin and his team the best of luck in Utah and will be cheering him on in his world record attempt!”

Keeping with the tradition of naming classic racing cars, Bourne has called his Jaguar, Alfred, after his beloved mother and father, Alice and Fred, and more information can be found on his website here.

 

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