Jaguar to pull out all the stops at this years silverstone classic, from New F-Types to C-Types and XJ14 Len Mans cars.

• Jaw-dropping Art of Performance Tour comes to Silverstone   
• Go drifting in an F-TYPE and take home film of your experience
• Jaguar XJ14 holds the Silverstone Classic circuit lap record
• C-types, D-types and E-types all in racing action

Jaguar’s racing heritage has always been massively to the fore at the Silverstone Classic but, for the first time, later this month the legendary British manufacturer will be the Official Experiential Partner to the world’s biggest historic motor racing festival.

Visitors to this year’s Silverstone Classic (29-31 July) will not only be able to see racing Jaguar C-types, D-types, E-types and Group C prototypes in all their nostalgic glory roaring around the famous Grand Prix circuit but they will also be given the chance to experience a state-of-the-art F-TYPE being pushed to the limit within the event’s thrill-laden Adrenaline Zone. 

The tyre-smoking Art of Performance Tour will take show-going passengers out of their comfort zones with the heart-pumping thrills of drifting in an F-TYPE… with a professional driver at the wheel. What’s more, this totally free mind-boggling experience will be recorded on video for exhilarated participants to take home.

Jaguar will similarly be entertaining those not seeking quite such an adrenaline rush, allowing them to test their skills with remote control scale replica Jaguar F-TYPEs on a mini drifting circuit.

Away from the Adrenaline Zone, as always a wonderful array of pedigree Jaguars will feature strongly throughout all areas of the ultimate Classic. Between them, the XK and Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Clubs will be celebrating 50 years of the E-Type 2+2, 30 years of the XJ40, 20 years of the XK8 and several other notable milestones in the marque’s rich history with special displays and track parades, while racing Jaguars will be rolling back the years in many of the Classic’s most prestigious showdowns.

Indeed, Jaguars have savoured notable successes in recent years including victories in the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy for Pre-’56 Sportscars, Sir Stirling Moss Trophy and International Trophy for Pre-’66 GT Cars. The outright lap record around the Silverstone Classic circuit is held by a 1991 Jaguar XJR14 sports-prototype, set by Nic Minassian in 2013’s spectacular Group C retro races. The French ace averaged close to 123mph around the 3.64-mile layout in the remarkable Ross Brawn-designed record-breaker – a sensational marker that’s yet to be topped.  

Fans wanting to see all these thoroughbred Jaguars in track action or to have their eyes opened by drifting in an F-TYPE, must buy their tickets in advance. Adult admission prices for the Classic start at £42, with £6 admission for accompanied children aged between 6 and 16-years-old. A wide range of weekend, camping, VIP hospitality and Family Tickets are also available. Adding to the festival’s immense appeal, tickets include free entrance to both racing paddocks, trackside grandstands and live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings which this year include The Boomtown Rats, Reef and The Stranglers.

Jaguar celebrates a very successful 2015 Mille Miglia with all nine cars finishing.

• Jaguar Heritage’s team of three C-types, three D-types, two XK120s and an XK140 all cross the finish line of the gruelling 2015 Mille Miglia in style
• Topping the table for the Jaguar team was Jaguar Vehicle Integrity Chief Engineer Mike Cross and journalist Mikey Harvey in a Jaguar C-type
• Model and TV presenter Jodie Kidd and model and GQ.com columnist David Gandy were next best Jaguar finishers in an XK120 Roadster

Jaguar is celebrating an excellent team performance in the 2015 Mille Miglia with all nine cars finishing the gruelling 1,000-mile endurance rally across Italy, with two cars inside the top 200 hundred finishers.

In the year that Jaguar celebrates its 80^th anniversary, Jaguar Heritage headed to the start in Brescia with three C-types, three D-types, two XK120s and an XK140 driven by famous faces from the world of motorsport, TV and music.

In total, well over 400 cars took part in the punishing four-day event, which started in Brescia, headed to Rimini on the east coast, before dropping down to Rome, back up to Parma – taking in historic Siena and Pisa on the way – before finishing back in Brescia.

Supported by an expert crew of Jaguar Heritage technicians, the nine Jaguar entries never missed a beat allowing each driver pairing to focus on the core demands of the Mille Miglia: covering big daily mileages while also completing regularity time-trial stages.

It was ‘NDU 289’, the Jaguar C-type of Jaguar Vehicle Integrity Chief Engineer Mike Cross, with Telegraph journalist Mikey Harvey, which came out on top for the Jaguar team, finishing in 153^rd place – a great performance given that the top 100 places are filled with regularity time trial experts.

“We’ve driven 1,000 miles over four long days and the C-type has been superb throughout,” said Mike Cross, who leads a team responsible for giving Jaguar cars their unique driving qualities. “There’s definitely a discernible blood line: the faster you go, the better the C-type gets. It becomes more precise, more stable, more calm – and that DNA is carried through to modern Jaguars.”

Finishing not far behind them in 171^st place were model and TV presenter, Jodie Kidd and model and GQ.com columnist David Gandy, driving ‘OOF 748’, a Jaguar XK120 roadster.

This was the second time Kidd had driven the Mille Miglia in this car, affectionately nicknamed ‘Betsey’: “It was just so much fun to be reunited with Betsey again,” she said. 

“I’ve really learned how to drive her and get the best out of her. As ever, the roads and the crowds were just sensational. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the Jaguar support team who put in some Herculean efforts to keep everyone motivated and moving.”

Fellow driver, David Gandy, added: “It’s just been a real privilege and an incredible experience. I think the highlight for me was the way Jodie and I worked as a team. Our driving styles are very similar – we’re just as committed on the road as each other.”

Rapper and musician Elliot Gleave, aka Example, drove with his father, Michael Gleave. This was the second time Elliot had driven the Mille Miglia. This time he drove in ‘TAC 740’, an XK140 roadster. 

“This year was even better than the first time. I really got to grips with the car, the route books and the timing challenges. It has been a totally brilliant experience, but I’m knackered. 

I feel like I’ve done 20 days of touring. Doing it with my Dad has been amazing. He lives in Australia so I only see him once or twice a year. This is something we’ve been able to bond over. It’s been very special indeed.”

Driving his own Jaguar C-type, ‘PUG 676’, was Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee Chairman, Ben Cussons, partnered by journalist Alex Goy. He commented: “It’s been a great event – superb organisation throughout, a warm welcome from other drivers and even the weather was good with only a few drops of rain. 

The C-type performed superbly and was supported by a supremely dedicated Jaguar crew. Jaguars always seem to be a favourite with Italians – they always cheered when they saw the C-types and D-types.”

The event certainly left a profound effect on TV chef, James Martin, who drove ‘393 RW’, a long-nose D-type.“You feel elated at the end. It’s just the most amazing feeling. I’ve been through the turmoil and the heartache of not finishing the Mille Miglia so to be able to cross that line...I’m a Yorkshire farmer but I had tears in my eyes.

“The long nose D-type is the fastest machine out there. It’s just amazing to drive. There was an incredible moment when we were joined by another Jaguar works D-type and we had an amazing battle with a Ferrari TR over 100 miles up in the mountains.”

Recalling Stirling Moss’ 1955 victory in the Mille Miglia during which he averaged just under 100mph, Martin said: “If we experienced just 0.1 per cent of what Stirling Moss went through then you respect the man even more. 

For him to do what he did back then for 1,000miles is just unbelievable. It’d be an understatement to say I want to come back next year. This has been the best four days of my life. Thanks to Jaguar.”

Martin’s co-driver, adventurer Charley Boorman, was just as in awe of the experience: “I didn’t really know quite what to expect. When I did the Dakar, there was the similar feeling of the unknown. But James and I just had a laugh from beginning to end. We were like two children in a sweet shop at Monza on the banking! 

“I can’t believe we actually finished. Given the drop-out rate and how tough it is on man and machine, I’m so thrilled to get over the line. The D-type was fantastic. It was brutal. I really want to do it again. Big thanks to Jaguar – everyone who supported us to keep us going. They barely slept. They were fantastic."

Driving ‘RSF 303’, the priceless Jaguar D-type ‘Long Nose’ Ecurie Ecosse racer of businessman and classic car enthusiast Clive Beecham, was Jaguar Design Director, Ian Callum.

“This was my third Mille Miglia,” he said. “I was offered the chance to do this year’s event in a D-type, and an Ecurie Ecosse D-type at that. I couldn’t turn it down, especially as I remember that car being driven at Ingliston race track in Scotland when I was about seven or eight years old.

“It’s a huge privilege to be part of that car’s history – because it’s made even more history now, being part of the Mille Miglia. And this year’s drive was pure enjoyment for me, pure exhilaration. This event is amazing – it gives you a unique feeling for what the car is about. It underlines exactly what the Jaguar brand is all about.”

The team was completed by finishes from endurance racing legend, Derek Bell and art collector Adam Lindemann, who drove ‘KSF 182’, a C-type, Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Dr Ralf Speth and Tony O’Keeffe in ‘280 BPE’, an XK120 roadster, and classic car expert and owner of D-type ‘NVC 260’, Simon Kidston with journalist Jason Barlow.  

Jaguar details the nine cars that it will be taking to the \Mille Miglia 2015.

• Nine of Jaguar’s most celebrated Heritage models from the 1950s to compete in the famed Mille Miglia: three C-types, three D-types, an XK120, an XK140 and a MK VII
• Highlights include C-type ‘NDU 289’, which competes in 2015 event some 62 years after it raced in the original Mille Miglia
• Racing pedigree in depth with D-type ‘Long Nose’ Ecurie Ecosse, which finished in second-place finish at the 1957 Le Mans
• Priceless line-up includes Jaguar works team D-type - winner of 12 Hours of Reims in 1956
• Event runs from 14-17 May, 2015 with a star line-up of drivers coming from motorsport, music and entertainment to drive historic Jaguars on the Mille Miglia  

Nine of Jaguar’s most decorated and iconic heritage cars will compete in the 2015 Mille Miglia as the brand celebrates its 80^th anniversary.

Fans lining the 1,000-mile loop in Italy will be treated to the sight of three C-types, three D-types, an XK120, an XK140 and a MK VII saloon, which will compete as part of the Jaguar Heritage team. 

Held from 14-17 May, 2015, the Mille Miglia presents one of the toughest tests for both car and driver, beginning and ending in Brecia and running through the heart of Italy’s capital, Rome.

The first of the C-types wearing registration number ‘NDU 289’, is no stranger to the Mille Miglia having competed some 62 years ago in the original race format back in 1953, driven by Mario Tadini and Franco Cortese. It also forms part of the Jaguar Heritage Trust collection. 

The car is one of three models competing at this year’s race that are owned and run by the Jaguar Heritage Trust and will be driven by Jaguar Vehicle Integrity Chief Engineer, Mike Cross.

C-type ‘KSF 182’ bearing Chassis No. 42 that was raced by Jimmy Stewart and later by Sir Jackie Stewart over a three-year period from 1953 to 1955. It will be driven by five-time winner of the Le Mans 24hr, three-time Daytona 24hr winner and world sportscar veteran, Derek Bell. Derek is driving as a guest of art collector, classic car enthusiast and owner of ‘KSF 182’, Adam Lindemann. 

Completing the C-type trio is ‘PUG 676’ that was raced extensively in the post-World-War II era and will be driven by its owner, Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee Chairman, Ben Cussons.

Jaguar’s participation would not be complete without the legendary D-type. This year’s Mille Miglia line-up will include ‘NVC 260’, a car that competed in several Mille Miglias in the 1980s. Formerly owned by Ralph Lauren, this special D-type also proved its worth over a two-year racing career between 1956 and 1957. It will be driven by its owner, one of the classic car world’s most respected experts, Simon Kidston.

Also competing will be ‘RSF 303’ and ‘393 RW’, which featured in several renowned races back in the 1950s. The Ecurie Ecosse D-type ‘RSF 303’ was bred for competition and after grabbing the runner-up position in the 1957 Le Mans race, took part in Mille Miglia testing that very same year and then again in 1958. It will be driven by Jaguar Design Director, Ian Callum and businessman and classic car enthusiast and owner Clive Beecham.

Reinforcing the D-type’s competitive spirit and performance was ‘393 RW’, which crowned a glorious year in 1956 by winning the 12 Hours of Reims and finishing in a credible sixth place – and setting the fastest lap – at Le Mans in the same year. It will be driven by host of the hugely popular BBC One show, Saturday Kitchen and well-known chef, James Martin.

Customers can experience what it feels like to drive a C-type, D-type and E-type at Jaguar’s test facility at Fen End near the home of Jaguar Land Rover in the West Midlands. Jaguar Heritage Driving Experiences give people the opportunity to fully experience the feeling of driving a classic Jaguar. A choice of one-hour test drives, a half-day Le Mans 24 Hours race-themed special or a full-day ‘Grace and Pace’ hospitality and driving programme are available. 

Although not available to drive in the Jaguar Heritage Drives programme currently, the MK VII saloon will still give fans and followers of the Mille Miglia on Jaguar’s social media platforms a chance to see why it was one of the most remarkable cars of its era, thanks to its ability to travel at 100mph with five people and their luggage. 

This year’s event will feature ‘97 DMH’, driven by adventurer Charley Boorman. A MK VII very similar to this was famously piloted to victory in the 1956 Monte Carlo Rally by Ronnie Adams. 

Adding glamour to the 2015 Mille Miglia challenge is ‘OOF 748’ - the XK120 affectionately christened as ‘Betsey’ by TV presenter and current host of Channel 5’s The Classic Car Show, Jodie Kidd, who drove this stunning Jaguar in the 2014 trial. 

She will again drive ‘Betsey’ in this year’s event, this time partnered by male supermodel, GQ.com columnist and classic car enthusiast, David Gandy. 

The successor to the XK120, the XK140, arrived in September 1954 and continued its predecessor’s legacy of grand two-seater open-top motoring. 

The specific XK140 racing in this year’s Mille Miglia, registered ‘TAC 743’, was once owned and raced by successful British racing driver David Hobbs. 

Fully restored by Trevor Groom back in 2006, it will be driven by Elliot Gleave, aka musician Example, and his father Michael. It completes Jaguar’s team of contenders at the 2015 Mille Milglia.

Jaguar Completes MINI Miglia in Scotland, ahead of taking part in the full Mille Miglia next week.

• Jaguar Heritage hosts inaugural ‘Mini Miglia’ for 2015 driver team in preparation for the Mille Miglia in Italy,14-17 May
• Vehicle familiarisation and ‘shakedown’ event took in 100 miles of the best Scottish roads, helping guest drivers to prepare for the gruelling Mille Miglia
• Chef, TV Presenter and Car Collector James Martin won the ‘Mini Miglia’ trial in a Jaguar D-type ‘Long Nose’
• New short film captures the spirit and action from the rally:
• https://youtu.be/dArVf9d_diM

Jaguar Heritage has successfully hosted the inaugural ‘Mini Miglia’ in Scotland, giving its Mille Miglia entrants a chance to familiarise themselves with the stunning range of iconic sports cars they’ll be driving in Italy from 14-17 May. Taking in some of the finest roads Scotland has to offer. 

The ‘Mini Miglia’ gave the Jaguar Heritage team drivers a chance to perfect their time trial skills and to familiarise themselves with their cars. 

Some of the most important sports and touring models from Jaguar’s heritage collection. Visually captivating scenery, roads and cars - as well drivers including Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum, Chef and TV Presenter James Martin and Supermodel David Gandy – all feature in a new short film which previews the Mille Miglia celebration tour: https://youtu.be/dArVf9d_diM

The incredible scenery and winding roads of the Scottish Highlands provided the perfect backdrop for such an iconic selection of Jaguars. The cars travelled from Loch Lomond northbound on the A83 towards Inveraray Castle and then south along The Rest And Be Thankful – part of the original British Hill Climb Championship. Finally, the route looped back around towards Loch Lomond and the finish line.

Also tackling this 100-mile training course – which included a Mille Miglia-style time trial – was adventurer Charley Boorman.

Jaguar’s Director of Design Ian Callum piloted an Ecurie Ecosse D-type with its owner Clive Beecham. Ian Callum said: “Driving these cars in this situation is just the most wonderful thing in the world. It is one of the highest highs I can possibly imagine.”

The ‘Long Nose’ D-type is the very same car that was runner-up in the 1957 Le Mans 24 Hour race, won by another of Ecurie Ecosse’s cars – and helping cement the Scottish team’s place in history.

Accompanying the Ecurie Ecosse D-type in Scotland, were two Jaguar XK120s, an XK140, a Mk VII, two C-types and another D-type. Each of the cars performed spectacularly throughout the 100-mile trial.

The D-type driven for the first time in anger by James Martin was awarded first place in the ‘Mini Miglia’ regularity trial, followed by the Mk VII of Charley Boorman. The cars and drivers will next meet on the start line in Brescia on May 14^th, ready to tackle 1,000-miles through Italy on the 2015 Mille Migla.