The E-type Challenge, created in 2011 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E-type, will continue in 2012 when the HSCC will run E-type races at a series of high profile historic race meetings.

Although initially conceived as a one-off programme to mark 50 years of the iconic British sports car, such has been competitor support that the HSCC has decided to repeat the series next season. A programme of five or six events, with some double-headers, is being planned, with at least one date on mainland Europe.

A total of over 70 cars registered for the 2011 season and a record-setting grid of 52 cars competed in a pair of races at the Silverstone Classic in July.

“We spoke to the competitors towards the end of the season and there was widespread support for continuing the concept in 2012,” said HSCC executive director Grahame White. “We plan to run it on very similar lines next season, once more with very thorough scrutineering. There is a pool of around 70 cars ready to race and we are keen to offer them a series of dates at significant historic race meetings. We hope to release the full schedule shortly.”

The series, managed by the Historic Sports Car Club, in conjunction with Jaguar Heritage, was supported by JD Classics in 2011 and runs with two classes, for cars prepared to period race trim and standard cars.