Win Percy gave the XJR-17 its first shakedown at Enstone Airfield before a test session was held at Snetterton. However, the deal collapsed, and Hugh Chamberlain instead was to use the car as a Group C2 entrant in the 1992 24 Hours of Le Mans. Chamberlain, however, was also unable to get enough funding to compete, and the car, already prepared for the Le Mans qualifying session, was not used in the event. The XJR-17 eventually ended up in the hands of Brian Chatfield, who ran the car in a few minor races held at Castle Combe in 1993 and 1994, whilst racing driver John Grant used it in some races from 2003 until 2004.