PRESS RELEASE

February 2010

Jaguar returns to Le Mans

JaguarRSR XKR GT2 confirmed for 24 hours of Le Mans in 2010 – the 75th year of Jaguar

The year 2010 marks 75 years of the Jaguar name on both road and race cars. As a continuation of this great heritage, Jaguar can confirm it will return to the famed Le Mans 24 hours. With a total of seven wins between 1951 and 1990, Jaguar is the single most successful British make in the race’s history. Jaguar will return to Le Mans this year lining up on the starting grid on 12th June 2010 with an XKR GT2 run by JaguarRSR.

Paul Gentilozzi, Principal Partner, JaguarRSR commented: “We are delighted the ACO has granted us entry in the prestigious 24 hours of Le Mans. It is a race that is held dearly in the hearts of motorsport fans across the world and for Jaguar to be racing again is something special.

“We are fortunate to bring an international line up of the world's finest driving talent including Scott Pruett and Marc Goossens as our drivers for this race.”

Gentilozzi, who will drive the JaguarRSR XKR GT2 in the 2010 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) added: “Spirits will be high around Jaguar’s return to Le Mans but we must remember the incredibly high level of competition - a podium place will not fall into our hands. That said, I can guarantee 100 per cent commitment from JaguarRSR and urge fans of Jaguar and Britain’s racing heritage to support the team whole heartedly.”

C.J. O'Donnell, Global Marketing Director of Jaguar Cars said: “Motorsport has always been important to the Jaguar brand. Our domination of Le Mans in the 1950s was a foundation on which the company was developed. It was twenty years ago that Jaguar last won Le Mans with a TWR Jaguar Sport entry driven by John Nielsen, Price Cobb and Martin Brundle. Returning to Le Mans will reignite excitement for the marque across the globe, all the more poignant in our 75th year.

"With the introduction of the new XK, XF and XJ, the Jaguar brand has advanced cutting-edge technology, stunning design and our ‘R’ performance driving experience. We now return to motorsport to demonstrate this achievement and the prowess of the Jaguar XKR.”
In 1951, the C-type won Le Mans at its first attempt, with a further victory in 1953. The D-type took Le Mans wins in 1955, 1956 and 1957 while this racing success was followed in 1988 with the Jaguar XJR-9LM, a V12-powered Group C car. Another outright victory would follow in 1990 with the Jaguar XJR-12.

ENDS

Details of Jaguar’s wins at Le Mans 24-hours:

Year Model Race No Drivers Result Notes
1951 C- type 20 Peter Walker 1st 1st Jaguar win; 2244 miles, 93 mph
Peter Whitehead
1953 C-type 18 Tony Rolt 1st 2nd Jaguar win; 2540 miles, 106 mph
Duncan Hamilton
1955 D-type 6 Mike Hawthorn 1st 3rd Jaguar win; 2570 miles, 107 mph
Ivor Bueb
1956 D-type 4 Ron Flockhart 1st Ecurie Ecosse ; 4th Jaguar win; 2507 miles, 104 mph
Ninian Sanderson
1957 D-type 3 Ron Flockhart 1st Ecurie Ecosse ; 5th Jaguar win; 2732 miles, 114 mph
Ivor Bueb
1988 XJR-9LM 2 Jan Lammers 1st TWR Jaguar; 6th Jaguar win; 394 laps, 3313 miles, 138 mph
Johnny Dumfries
Andy Wallace
1990 XJR-12 3 John Nielson 1st TWR Jaguar; 7th Jaguar win; 359 laps, 3034 miles,127 mph
Price Cobb
Martin Brundle

 

That's a greater news even than hearing Jaguar named OFFICIAL CAR OF SEBRING

 

I had heard about this. Sounds like great news.

Now all you need to do is to get me an invite as a 'Guest' together with a pit pass, hotel etc. and I'll pop over and get some pics etc for us all.

I'm just over two hours away:-))

 

Lol....I have asked for "invites" to any model launches etc etc and been advised that that may be a possibility, so we'll see.
Also discussed was the possibility of some sort of competition with a prize of sorts, but unsure as to whether that will happen or not?

The upside is that this forum is in communication with Jaguar direct and privvy to all the latest press releases etc as they happen....

Baby steps translator.....baby steps

 

I saw that too. It is a great idea rather than trying to win overall. I read the biggest issue is aerodynamics as the XK has to move 20% more air out of the way than the 911 Porsches. The official site is here

http://www.jaguar.com/gl/en/#/about_...returns_lemans

I hope we get better than the usual non existent TV coverage.