Autosportfoto

Jaguar Heritage Racing is go!

12th March: Today marks the launch of Jaguar Heritage Racing, a programme which will see Jaguar return to the competitive arena through the vibrant world of historic motorsport. For the first time since 1956, works-supported C and D-types will race again at venues including Goodwood and the Nürburgring, while the season-long programme will also see Jaguar Heritage Racing support numerous additional events on the historic motoring calendar. These include the Mille Miglia, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and each round of the E-type challenge in the UK - a series which in 2011 demonstrated the depth of global interest in historic motorsport, and in Jaguar's participation specifically.

As Jaguar embarks on the most extensive new product development cycle in its history, it is the perfect time to invest in and celebrate its heritage. Says Jaguar Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark: "Jaguar is proud of its heritage, and it is a heritage that is both alive and ever evolving."

"Advanced engineering is part of our heritage - 2012 sees the 60^th anniversary of Jaguar's development of the disc brake for automotive use, and ten years since the marque introduced aerospace-inspired aluminium monocoque technology to its modern range, technology today used on both the XJ and XK. Forward looking design is part of our heritage - the poised intent of the C-X16 concept pushes the boundaries today just as much as the SS Jaguar 100 did in 1935. And racing is very much part of our heritage also - which is why we have launched the Jaguar Heritage Racing programme that this year will see Jaguar C and D-types in competitive action."

The first event at which Jaguar Heritage Racing will be present is the 2012 Mille Miglia retrospective in May. This year's running of the Mille Miglia has particular significance for Jaguar as it marks 60 years since Sir Stirling Moss and Norman Dewis (then Jaguar's chief development driver) took the start in the first disc-brake equipped C-type. Later that same year Sir Stirling Moss recorded the first win for a disc-braked car when he drove another C-type to victory at Reims, paving the way for the wide-scale use of the technology that we all take for granted today.

In August, the Jaguar Heritage Racing team will then be in competitive action at the AVD Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix. Often referred to as the 'green hell', the Nürburgring Nordschleife is regarded as one of the toughest tracks in the world, which is why Jaguar has a dedicated test facility located there running a rigorous durability and performance programme for its modern range.

Says Jaguar Land Rover Global Head of Communications, Frank Klaas: "The Nürburgring Nordschleife presents a unique automotive challenge that Jaguar's development team continually subject our current and future models to in order to perfect their attributes of quality, durability and dynamic precision. To also see historic works Jaguars in competitive action at the Nürburgring this year will be fascinating."

From Germany, the team will then head back to British shores for the Goodwood Revival in September. The undisputed jewel in the crown of the historic motor racing calendar, the Revival provides a dazzling backdrop of nostalgia for an equally dazzling array of competitive action in which the Jaguar Heritage Racing C- and D-type will play their part.

The Jaguar Heritage Racing programme is operated and managed by JD Classics, based in Maldon,Essex. An established player in the historic motorsport world, JD Classics will prepare both the C- and D-type Jaguars which will take to the track, and have responsibility for all race-day activities. Derek Hood, managing director, JD Classics, said: "Jaguars have been at the heart of our business for many years, and the opportunity to work with Jaguar Heritage Racing and ensure that the company is as well represented in historic motorsport today as it was when those same models competed in period is one we were only too happy to accept."

The Jaguar Heritage Racing programme will supplement the activities of Jaguar Heritage - a charitable trust and custodians of an extensive collection of priceless models from Jaguar's past, including the unique XJ13 prototype. Its cars are not campaigned competitively on-track, but will continue to be exhibited - and demonstrated - at a huge number of events during 2012.

The Jaguar Heritage Racing programme was launched today, 12^th March, at an event held at the RAC Club in London. Sir Stirling Moss was the guest of honour and, displayed in the foyer, was C-type XKC 005 - this was the very first disc-braked car to achieve competition success when Sir Stirling Moss drove it to victory in a sports car race at Reims in 1952.

Throughout the season the activities of the Jaguar Heritage Racing programme will be broadcast around the world via its global media partner, CNN - see separate release to follow.

Jaguar Heritage Racing will be participating in the following key events in 2012:

• Mille Miglia (Italy): 17-20 May
• Nürburgring AVD Oldtimer Grand prix: 10-12 August
• Goodwood Revival: 14-16 September

Key Jaguar motorsport victories: 

• Jaguar secured the first win for a disc-braked car with the C-type (XKC 005) in 1952. Sir Stirling Moss recorded the win atReimsin a sports car race supporting the French Grand Prix. 

• Jaguar has wonLe Mans seven times:

• Jaguar won the European Touring Car drivers' championship with Tom Walkinshaw in 1984 (TWR XJ-S)
• Jaguar were manufacturers' champion in the World Sports Car Championship in: 1987, 1988, 1991

Other key victories include:

• 1950 Tourist Trophy, Dundrod - XK 120 - 1st - Stirling Moss
• 1951 Tourist Trophy, Dundrod - C-type - 1st - Stirling Moss
• 1953 Reims 12-hour sports car race - C-type - 1st - Stirling Moss and Peter Whitehead
• 1954 Reims 12-hour sports car race - D-type - 1st - Peter Whitehead and Ken Wharton
• 1955 Sebring 12-hour race,USA- D-type - 1st - Mike Hawthorn and Peter Walters
• 1956 Reims 12-hour sports car race - D-type - 1st - Duncan Hamilton and Ivor Bueb
• 1988 Daytona 24- hour race,USA- XJR-9D - 1st - Brundle, Boesel, Nielsen and Lammers
• 1990 Daytona 24- hour race, USA- XJR-12D - 1st - Jones, Lammers and Wallace

Jaguar today:

Jaguar's current range comprises the XF, XF Sportbrake, XJ and XK models. Jaguar Land Rover is investing to deliver 40 product initiatives for the two brands over the next five years. In recent years, Jaguar has captured the public's imagination with two spectacular design and technology concept vehicles, the C-X75 supercar and the C-X16 production concept sports car. Full details of the Jaguar range can be found at: www.jaguar.com

Photo gallery: Jaguar Heritage Racing