The second season of the Jaguar Classic Challenge will include a trip to Le Mans Classic on 8-10 July. The Le Mans Classic will be one of the major highlights of the 2016 season that will see a field of pre-1966 Jaguars going wheel-to-wheel in the competitive single-marque series.
Jaguar has a long and successful history at Le Mans, with the marque first winning there back in 1951 with Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead driving the C-type known as XKC 003.A one-two finish followed in 1953 with the duo of Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton taking overall honours. Jaguar dominated Le Mans for three consecutive years in 1955, 1956 and 1957 in the D-type. A further two race victories were to follow years later in 1988 and 1990 in the XJR-9LM and XJR-12 respectively.
Along with the inclusion of the Le Mans Classic in the calendar, the 2016 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 particular consideration to a car’s period specification and are in keeping with the spirit of historic motor racing.
Drivers participating in this year’s Classic Challenge will now also qualify to enter many other international historic races that run these standardised set of rules.
Dates for the 2016 Jaguar Classic Challenge:
- Donington Historic Festival: 30th April – 2nd May
- Silverstone International Trophy: 21st – 22nd May
- Le Mans Classic: 8th – 10th July
- AvD-Oldtimer-Grand-Prix, Nürburgring: 12th – 14th August
- Oulton Park Gold Cup: 27th – 29th August
Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said, “Jaguar’s wonderful history of racing at Le Mans will add to the spectacle of the Jaguar Classic Challenge. Watching a diverse array of pre-1966 Jaguars racing on the iconic circuit, some of which even raced there in period, will surely be a sight not to be missed. The racing and camaraderie between the drivers during the inaugural season was fantastic to witness and the new regulations will enhance the experience for both competitors and fans alike making it a fitting tribute to the brand’s rich racing pedigree.”
Drivers wishing to take part in 2016 can visit the dedicated web page for the new season for full details and information on how to enter.
[Source: Jaguar]
