2010 marks Jaguar’s 75th anniversary of both road and racecars. And in order to continue the great heritage, Jaguar has confirmed it will return to the Le Mans 24 hour race this year. With a total of seven wins between 1951 and 1990, Jaguar is the single most successful British make in the history of the race. It will return with an XKR GT2 run by JaguarRSR.
Photo 2/2
|
Jaguar Returns to Le Mans 2010 With JaguarRSR XKR GT2 - Web Exclusive
Paul Gentilozzi, Principal Partner at JaguarRSR commented: “We are delighted the ACO has granted us entry in the prestigious event. It is a race held dearly in the hearts of motorsport fans across the world, and for Jaguar to be racing there again is something special."
The team will bring Scott Pruett and Marc Goossens as drivers for this race. Gentilozzi himself will drive the XKR GT2 in the 2010 American Le Mans Series.
CJ 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 developed. It was 20 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 re-ignite excitement for the marque across the globe, all the more poignant in our 75th year.”
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 racecar. Another outright victory would follow in 1990 with the Jaguar XJR-12.
Jaguar Returns to Le Mans 2010 With JaguarRSR XKR GT2 - Web Exclusive
| Year | Model | Drivers | Notes (distance and average speed) |
| 1951 | C-type | Peter Walker, Peter Whitehead | First Jaguar win; 2,244 miles, 93mph |
| 1953 | C-type | Tony Rolt, Duncan Hamilton | 2,540 miles, 106mph |
| 1955 | D-type | Mike Hawthorn, Ivor Bueb | 2,570 miles, 107mph |
| 1956 | D-type | Ron Flockhart, Ninian Sanderson | Ecurie Ecosse entry; 2,507 miles, 104mph |
| 1957 | D-type | Ron Flockhart, Ivor Bueb | Ecurie Ecosse entry; 2,732 miles, 114mph |
| 1988 | XJR-9LM | Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries, Andy Wallace | TWR Jaguar Sport entry; 394 laps, 3,313 miles, 138mph |
| 1990 | XJR-12 | John Nielsen, Price Cobb, Martin Brundle | TWR Jaguar Sport entry; 359 laps, 3,034 miles, 127mph |
