Goodwood kicks-off busy week for GP2 driver ahead of British GP
Date: 25 / 06 / 2015
Ahead of his home race at Silverstone and the British Grand Prix, GP2 and Manor F1 development driver Jordan King will make his Goodwood Festival of Speed debut in a Group 44 Jaguar XJS, run by JD Classics.
The 21-year-old Warwickshire-based GP2 rookie, who is halfway through his maiden Formula 1-feeder-series campaign, will drive the famous hillclimb in the loud and ferocious Big Cat on Friday 26 June.
“I’ve always loved the Festival since I was a small child,” says King, “It’s a dream come true to be invited to participate by JD Classics – and what a car to do it in – I’ve never sampled a tin-top before.
“The XJS really does embrace this year’s theme of ‘Flat-out and Fearless’. I think the crowd will absolutely love the noise and speed of the Jaguar. It sounds incredible in the stripped-out cabin, too.”
A 500bhp 5.3-litre V12 engine powers the Group 44 XJS, propelling the car to a top speed of 200mph, although not at Goodwood! The original base car was stripped out and modified to race, providing a tremendous sight and sound for both spectators and drivers.
Embracing every aspect of the Goodwood experience, King will be appearing on Goodwood Radio, the official sound of the Festival, on Friday morning. The young driver will be discussing all things motorsport with event commentator Henry Hope-Frost, before heading to a Sky Sports F1 interview to talk about his journey through GP2 and on to Formula 1.
After Goodwood, King will head to Spain to start preparations with his Racing Engineering team ahead of the fifth round of the GP2 series at Silverstone, before undertaking a UK-based media tour, returning to Silverstone on 3-5 July for his home race.
Image credits: Goodwood