Jaguar back at Le Mans

With seven outright victories Jaguar is one of the most famous names when it comes to Le Mans. Yet, the big cat hasn’t been seen loping around the Circuit de la Sarthe since the early 1990s. In 2010, the JaguarRSR team will put things right when they take to the track in June with their XKR GT2 machine.

Principal Partner of JaguarRSR, Paul Gentilozzi, says “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.”

This year also marks Jaguar’s 75th anniversary, so a good showing in their class at Le Mans will be just the ticket for the iconic British marque. If you’d like to learn more about Jaguar’s proud motorsport history you could do a lot worse than track down a copy of the relevant episode of Victory by design, hosted by Alain de Cadenet.

In other Le Mans news, 1992 Formula One World Champion Nigel Mansell will be making his debut at the 24 hour race in 2010. He will join his sons, Leo and Greg, behind the wheel of a British-built Ginetta Zytek.

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 in our category 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.

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

1951
C-type
Car #20
Drivers Peter Walker, Peter Whitehead
First Jaguar win; 2244 miles @ 93 mph avg

1953
C-type
Car #18
Drivers: Tony Rolt, Duncan Hamilton
Second Jaguar win; 2540 miles @ 106 mph avg

1955
D-type
Car #6
Drivers: Mike Hawthorn, Ivor Bueb
Third Jaguar win; 2570 miles @ 107 mph avg

1956
D-type
Car #4
Drivers: Ron Flockhart, Ninian Sanderson
Ecurie Ecosse entry; fourth Jaguar win; 2507 miles @ 104 mph avg

1957
D-type
Car #3
Drivers: Ron Flockhart, Ivor Bueb
Ecurie Ecosse entry; fifth Jaguar win; 2732 miles @ 114 mph avg

1988
XJR-9LM
Car #2
Drivers: Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries, Andy Wallace
TWR Jaguar Sport entry; sixth Jaguar win; 394 laps, 3313 miles @ 138 mph avg

1990
XJR-12
Car #3
Drivers: John Nielsen, Price Cobb, Martin Brundle
TWR Jaguar Sport entry; seventh Jaguar win; 359 laps, 3034 miles @ 127 mph avg