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The Harrier LR9C is a grand tourer-style race car designed and built by Harrier Cars. Built to GT1 and GT2 regulations, it is based on a stillborn road car prototype released in 1991. The LR9C competed in the British GT Championship from 1994 to 1998 and contested the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans.

History

The original Harrier LR9 prototype car was revealed in 1991 as an Alfa Romeo-powered coupe designed by Lester Ray. By 1994 the car had failed to enter production, but a racing chassis named the LR9C appeared at the opening round of the 1994 British GT Championship with driver Ian Jacobs. After making select starts throughout the season, the closed-top British GT chassis was converted to an open-top GT2 configuration for entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Named the LR9 Sypder LM, the car failed to finish with support from Chamberlain Engineering.

With new ownership and financing from Richard Austin, the owner of Evesham Micros, Harrier entered the LR9C into the full campaign of the 1995 British GT Championship with a rotating roster of drivers including Jacobs, Austin, and Win Percy. After failing to finish the first five races of the season, Percy achieved the car's first win at round six at Thruxton. Harrier expanded to a two-car operation in 1996, fielding a dedicated GT2 entry for Austin in addition to Percy's GT1 entry. The car achieved three wins with Percy as a solo driver including back-to-back wins in the final two races of the 1996 championship.

LR9 GT97

Under the guidance of designer Phil Bourne, an updated version of the GT1 specification car was introduced for the 1997 season. The new LR9 GT97 featured revised bodywork, an enlarged rear wing, and a new roof scoop air intake. Percy and new teammate Charlie Cox achieved three wins in the updated LR9C, matching the previous season's win total.

GT1-98

The final iteration of the LR9C vehicle platform was designed by Phil Bourne for the 1998 British GT Championship. Featuring significantly revised bodywork, the new design was an attempt to better compete with new competitors including the long tail McLaren F1 GTR and the revised Lister Storm GTL. However, even with new lead driver Jamie Campbell-Walter, the GT1-98 failed to achieve a single podium in 1998 as Harrier slipped into the midfield.

Due to a naming rights dispute with Ford and Lester Ray, the LR9C was retired from active competition following the 1998 season. Richard Austin and Phil Bourne left soon thereafter to build the Sintura S99 that contested the following year's championship.

References

1. "Harrier LR9 3-ltr". www.madle.org. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
2. ^ "1991 Harrier LR9 Road/Concept Car". rarecarsonly.com.
3. "British GT Championship Silverstone 1994 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
4. Showroom, Motorsport. "Motorsport Showroom - 1993 Harrier LR9C". motorsportshowroom.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
5. "British GT Thruxton 1995 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
6. "British GT Championship Oulton Park 1996 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
7. "British GT Championship Silverstone 1996 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
8. "British GT Championship Oulton Park 1997 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
9. "British GT Silverstone 1998 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
10. "Sintura S99 GT1 - NIVELANDO A ENGENHARIA". 2022-03-18. Retrieved 2024-11-15.

• Grand tourer racing cars