To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the world’s favourite sixties’ icon, the Jaguar E-type, Jaguar Heritage and the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) have joined forces to create a new historic race series for 2011 and beyond called the E-type Challenge and an agreement has just been made for the races to be supported by world renowned classic vehicle restoration specialist and Jaguar experts JD Classics.
Over 60 E-types have registered for the races since the series was announced last year. The first races will be at the HSCC’s Historic Superprix meeting on Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit where the impressive annual programme becomes a three day event for the very first time, from 1st-3rd July. Races will also include Historic Formula One, Sports and Touring Cars.
The world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the Silverstone Classic, is up next from 22nd-24th July. Silverstone’s latest GP circuit configuration allows the organisers to field even bigger grids – and more action – than ever before. The all time biggest grid of race-prepared E-types (as many as 58 in all) is expected. And the latest forecasts suggest that this event will be the greatest gathering of Jaguar E-types ever assembled, as their owners bring their pride and joys from around the world to the party, not only to race but to show as well.
The Oldtimer Grand Prix at Germany’s world-famous Nürburgring will host the next race. This will be the 39th staging of one of Europe’s first and most important historic racing festivals and will take place from the 13th -15th August.
Two more races will feature in the Gold Cup at Oulton Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend 28th -29th August. Since its launch as a non-championship Formula One race, the Oulton Park Gold Cup has developed into the north west of England's premier historic car event, with more than 400 vehicles taking part each year. It is also the venue where the E-type scored its very first race win in April 1961 driven by Graham Hill and Ray Salvadori.
At the Goodwood revival on Saturday 17th September the feature race - the Fordwater Trophy – will be a 45 minute two-driver invitation race for some very special E-types only.
JD Classics founder and Managing Director Derek Hood is delighted to be associated with this commemorative series. “Having worked on some of history’s most important E-types over many years, naturally we are thrilled to help celebrate the car that caused a sensation when it was launched,” he said. “The E-type went on to set standards in design and performance that were unsurpassed for a decade. In my opinion, it’s hard to overstate its influence on the evolution of motor racing design and we’re very excited to play a part in supporting a series that will underline just why so many people over so many years feel the same way.”
E-type enthusiasts – wherever they’re from – will no doubt agree and will not want to miss the once-in-a-lifetime festivities this summer. Spectators should get in touch with the respective event organisers to buy their tickets, whilst owners looking to compete in the four races should contact the HSCC for more information.
