 Three works XJ220 @-@ Cs were entered in the 1993 24 Hours of Le Mans race , in the newly created Grand Touring Class . John Nielsen , David Brabham and David Coulthard won the GT class , beating Porsche by two laps ; the other two cars retired , both through engine failure . However , the class win was revoked when the Jaguar XJ220 @-@ C was controversially disqualified for failing to run with catalytic converters . The Jaguars had passed scrutiny and completed the first day of qualifying when senior steward Alain Bertaut complained that Jaguar were not running catalytic converters . The cars had been entered under the IMSA GT category and Bertaut claimed that they needed to run with catalysts . The cars ran in the race under appeal . International Motor Sports Association ( IMSA ) officials wrote to the Automobile Club de l 'Ouest ( ACO ) ( English : Automobile Club of the West ) , organisers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans , confirming that the XJ220s had complied with IMSA rules . Jaguar won their appeal ( supported by the FIA ) but were nevertheless disqualified , as the ACO confirmed that the appeal had not been lodged in time . 
