Jaguar returns to Le Mans for 2010 (click for bigger image)
Jaguar is returning to Le Mans this year with a works-backed XKR run by JaguarRSR.
2010 marks the 75th anniversary of Jaguar and a close look at the state of Jaguar after so long in the business of making cars sees it in better shape than at any time for the last forty years.
The current range of cars – soon to be joined on the road by the new Jaguar XJ – is the best on offer for a generation, and there’s a new feel about Jaguar; confident; forward looking; innovative. Jaguar is quickly become a desirable marque once more, and the future plans for Jaguar seem set to cement that growing feeling.
And in a sign of the burgeoning confidence at Jaguar they are returning to Le Mans after an absence of 20 years with a works-backed Jaguar XKR. Jaguar is the single most successful British manufacturer in the history of Le Mans and they are obviously hoping that they can add to those historic wins and cast a ‘Le Mans glow’ across their range of production cars.
The works backed Jaguar XKR will be run by JaguarRSR whose principal partner – Paul Gentilozzi – will drive the JaguarRSR XKR GT2 in the 2010 American Le Mans Series (ALMS). He said:
“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.
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.”
All of which should see the roads to Le Mans this year carrying even more UK traffic than usual to the race.
Should be a bonanza for the ticket-happy Gendarmes.
List of Jaguar Le Mans Victories to date
| Year | Model | Race no | Drivers | Result | Notes (distance and average speeds rounded off to nearest whole figure) |
| 1951 | C-type | 20 | Peter Walker, Peter Whitehead | 1st | First Jaguar win; 2244 miles, 93 mph |
| 1953 | C-type | 18 | Tony Rolt, Duncan Hamilton | 1st | Second Jaguar win; 2540 miles, 106 mph |
| 1955 | D-type | 6 | Mike Hawthorn, Ivor Bueb | 1st | Third Jaguar win; 2570 miles, 107 mph |
| 1956 | D-type | 4 | Ron Flockhart, Ninian Sanderson | 1st | Ecurie Ecosse entry; fourth Jaguar win; 2507 miles, 104 mph |
| 1957 | D-type | 3 | Ron Flockhart, Ivor Bueb | 1st | Ecurie Ecosse entry; fifth Jaguar win; 2732 miles, 114 mph |
| 1988 | XJR-9LM | 2 | Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries, Andy Wallace | 1st | TWR Jaguar Sport entry; sixth Jaguar win; 394 laps, 3313 miles, 138 mph |
| 1990 | XJR-12 | 3 | John Nielsen, Price Cobb, Martin Brundle | 1st | TWR Jaguar Sport entry; seventh Jaguar win; 359 laps, 3034 miles, 127 mph |
