Jaguar is to make a nostalgic return to Le Mans this year as their sports cars are confirmed for 2016’s Classic.
The Jaguar Classic Challenge, seen here at Oulton Park last year, visits Le Mans in 2016.
The Le Mans Classic programme, 8-10 July, will now include a leg of the Jaguar Classic Challenge series of races for 2016, providing a field of pre-1966 Jaguars racing wheel-to-wheel.
Jaguar’s long, successful history at Le Mans began in 1951 when Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead drove C-type XKC 003 to victory. Following a one-two finish in 1953, the marque dominated Le Mans in 1955, ’56 and ’57 in the D-type. In 1988 and 1990, the works team won in an XJR-9LM and XJR-12 respectively.
The Jaguar Classic Challenge, run in conjunction with the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC), will also adopt new technical regulations based on the FIA’s Appendix K framework for cars competing in international historic racing competitions. These regulations pay consideration to a car’s period specification and are in keeping with the true spirit of historic motor racing.
‘Jaguar’s history of racing at Le Mans will add to the spectacle of the Jaguar Classic Challenge,’ says Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic.
The season kicks off at Donington Historic Festival, 30 April-2 May.