The main goal for Wolfgang Kaufmann and Siamak Siassi in the Italian race was, as always, to be the fastest Jaguar among the GT field. It seemed to be the best the duo could hope for on the fast circuit with its long straights which particularly suits the big-bore Shelby Cobras.

Qualifying confirmed that assumption. Behind six of these V8 giants, Kaufmann put in the seventh-best lap time with the Jaguar E-Type Coupe, which also accomplished his 2Mission Jaguar”. Conditions on race day were downright inhumane – the endurance race with its two hours of scheduled duration began in ambient temperatures of 35 degrees Centigrade, in the shade… “It will be tough”, Kaufmann knew even before the start, “we have heat coming into the car from the engine compartment in front of us, from the gearbox and exhaust below – it will be a fight.” Appropriate for someone nicknamed “the Fighter”…

Wolfgang Kaufmann stepped into the searing hot Jaguar for the start of the race and quickly progressed to 4th and then 3rd position. While some competitors fell victim to the immense heat, or their own mistakes, the Jaguar team bravely held on for two hours. While the brakes showed some deterioration toward the end of the race, that problem was taken care of with earlier braking points.

What no one had thought possible before the race became reality as the chequered flag dropped: The Jaguar of Kaufmann/Siassi crossed the finish line in 1st position! For the first time in 60s Endurance competition, Kaufmann was able to win not only his class, but also the race outright. “While it was a tough race, it was tremendous fun”, said a visibly exhausted Kaufmann after the race, “going a cool 240 or 250kph with such an old car, to fight and to win on the traditional track here at the Royal park in Monza, is amazing!”

The professional racer from Molsberg in Germany nearly racked up another fine result on the same weekend. In the 60 minute race of the Classic Endurance Series that followed the 60s Endurance event, he drove a Porsche 911 RSR. In his class, Kaufmann was initially in 2nd place until the engine began suffering from ignition trouble. Just before the scheduled pit stop, the motor cut altogether at the Parabolica curve, and Kaufmann only just managed to coast back to the pits. The crew feverishly got to work on the six cylinder boxer power plant, and at least brought it back to life. Kaufmann went back out for the remaining laps until the pit stop window opened, and handed the car over to Afschin Fatemi with a lap’s deficit. The engine continued to fire irregularly but the Porsche was sent back out in order to at least collect some points and protect the duo’s good position in the overall standings. Eventually, they took the flag in 6th place in class. “It was a slightly unjust result for us”, Kaufmann summed up his CER outing, “car preparation was top-notch, all went well in the practice sessions. At least we were able to collect the points for 6th place, the might make the difference at the end of the season.”

Wolfgang Kaufmann’s “historic” season continues this coming weekend, at the Youngtimer Trophy in Spa-Francorchamps with the Ford Escort Mk.I BDA.