Fancy a driving tour of France's famous race tracks with Norman Dewis OBE, well, now you can.

Jaguar’s legendary test driver Norman Dewis OBE is to host a special tour to the famous Hotel de France between October 28th and November 1st. 

Drivers will be able to join Norman on a 5-day trip that will take them to the circuit at Lohéac, the famous motoring hotel, where they will spend three nights, and Le Mans, where he raced for Jaguar.

The tour is being run by specialist tour operator Classic Grand Touring and spaces are still available.

Owner of the Hotel de France Martin Overington said: “This is a unique opportunity to spend time with one of motoring’s legendary drivers and to hear from him about his racing and driving experiences as we explore the Loire Valley, one of France’s most beautiful regions.”

On Saturday evening, after a day of driving and visits to the principal chateaux in the Loire, Norman will talk about his experience with Jaguar, driving in the Mille Miglia and delivering the E-Type to the Geneva Motor Show in 1961.

Situated in the town of La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, around 40km away from Le Mans, the Hotel de France is famous for its long association with motor sport and the Le Mans 24 hour race. From the 50’s to the 80’s, many drivers such as Stirling Moss, Caroll Shelby and Derek Bell, and victorious teams would use the hotel as headquarters, preparing their racing cars in the courtyard and then driving them to and from the circuit on public roads.

The Loire Valley is famous for its picturesque towns, chateaux and country roads, which are regarded as some of the most beautiful in France. Drivers will have the opportunity to visit these magnificent chateaux as well as enjoy sampling at the local vineyards

Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson recreate the 1955 Mille Miglia in #722, all in 360 degree filming.

TMW THOUGHTS

It has to be said, Sir Sterling Moss, is and shall always be an absolute hero, here he is, 60 years after doing this same thing, driving the same car, the man is a legend, he never seems to stop loving driving, and will have a go in anything, and still races, today, maybe not as competitively as he used to, but remember, he, not long ago, had an awful accident where he broke a number of bones in his own home, but he still carried on, the man is 85 years old, yes thats right EIGHTY FIVE, and can still out drive the vast majority of the public. 

Good on you Sir Sterling, and long may you continue to drive, race and be a total legend.

Today the 2015 running of the Mille Miglia begins and Mercedes-Benz has combined the old and the new with the creation of a cutting edge 360 degree film to mark a special anniversary.

A little over 60 years ago, on 1^st May 1955, Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson won the Mille Miglia in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR – number 722. They drove flat out for 10 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds and averaged 98 miles per hour – all on public roads.

It was recognised as one of the greatest feats of driving ever – their record still stands today.

In 1955, the W 196 R racers were the most advanced cars in the world – they won every race they finished and used cutting edge materials.

At a time when road cars would struggle to hit 70 mph, the W 196 R could exceed 180 mph. Today only eight examples still exist, but now and again they’re let loose…

Sixty years on, Sir Stirling Moss has been reunited with the 300 SLR number 722, on the very same roads on which he won.

The film released today allows you to control the camera and watch from nearly any angle as Sir Stirling Moss takes ‘722’ on the roads he and Denis Jenkinson set records on. Three dimensional sound makes the footage even more vivid.

In the coming weeks the film will be available to be downloaded via iTunes (for the iPhone and iPad) and the Android Store as well as being capable of being experienced on Oculus devices such as the Samsung Gear VR.

1930 failed "Bentley Boy" Mille Miglia, will, 85 years later have a second attempt, this time they will succeed.

• Historic Bentley takes on epic thousand-mile test of endurance
• This year marks 85 years since Birkin and Barnato’s aborted attempt
• 1930 4½-litre supercharged Blower one of just 55 ever produced

In 1930, ‘Bentley Boy’ Tim Birkin claimed his aborted attempt on the Mille Miglia in his legendary Blower was due to a lack of “due preparation”. 85 years on, Bentley has ensured all plans are in place for a successful Blower run in the 2015 event.

‘Bentley Boys’ the Hon. Sir Henry (Tim) Birkin and Bentley Chairman Woolf Barnato were to be the first British drivers to attempt the thousand-mile Italian test of endurance, in a supercharged ‘Bentley Blower’ known as the No. 2 ‘Birkin Blower’. 

According to contemporary media reports, however, ‘much disappointment was felt at the news of the Bentley withdrawal from the Brescia Thousand Miles Race’.

This year, Bentley’s original 1930 4½-litre supercharged Blower is aiming to finish what its sibling never started, taking on the world-renowned cross-country route between 14 and 17 May.

Director of Royal and VIP Relations, Richard Charlesworth, who will be piloting the historic Blower, said: “When the Blower was built in 1930 the Mille Miglia was uncharted territory for British racers. 

Some 85 years on and the Bentley is now a familiar sight – this year will be the Blower’s fifth entry. Last year we achieved the best result ever for Bentley, and this year we are hoping to continue that success.”

One of just 50 examples built for the road, the 85-year-old Blower features its original Vanden Plas Open Sports Four-Seat body. It was described by Autocar magazine in September 1930 as having ‘the appeal of immense power, linked with great docility’ – qualities the team will be hoping to exploit in Italy.

Built for racing, all Blowers featured the legendary supercharger installation developed by Amherst Villiers. The car running the Mille Miglia this year started life in 1930 as one of the company’s first showroom demonstrators, and is still performing eight decades on. 

With its classic British Racing Green livery and distinctive exhaust note, the Blower is one of the most instantly recognisable cars of all time.

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.

JD Classics celebrates successful Donington Historic Festival 2015.

• JD Classics takes two podium finishes and two pole positions at the 2015 Donington Historic Festival
• The team’s Costin Lister was driven from sixth on the grid to a second place finish
• In the new Jaguar Heritage Challenge, JD Classics’ E-type also raced to third in a strong field of pre-1966 Jaguars
• In a successful weekend of racing, the JD Classics team also posted two fastest laps in its Cooper T33 and Costin Lister
• JD Classics’ Bastos Rover SD1 and Cooper T33 both forced to retire from the lead following technical issues

JD Classics finished the Donington Historic Festival with two podiums, two pole positions and two fastest laps – despite technical difficulties forcing two of its entries to retire from leading positions.

Competing in the Stirling Moss Trophy for pre-1961 sports cars was JD Classics’ Costin Lister, which qualified well in sixth place at the hands of JD Classics’ own Chris Ward. 

A slight misfire prevented a higher qualifying position but with the car running smoothly for the race, the Costin Lister was in the lead by lap six, having posted the fastest lap of the race. 

With a time penalty for using just a single driver and a driver mistake while chasing the leader, the Costin eventually finished second.

In the newly created Jaguar Heritage Challenge event for pre-1966 Jaguars, JD Classics was competing in an E-type, again with Chris Ward at the wheel along with historic racing driver John Young. With a qualifying position of fifth, the team were in good shape for the race, and were dicing for the lead with two other E-types. 

At one point an oil spill forced all three cars off the track and the race was red-flagged. Following a driver change shortly after, the JD Classics’ E-type came home in third place.

JD Classics’ Bastos Rover SD1 was competing in the Historic Touring Car Challenge race, where former Touring Car driver, Steve Soper, drove it emphatically to pole position. 

As the race kicked off, the Bastos Rover began pulling away from the pack, looking set to dominate from the front. Unfortunately, though, it was forced to retire with technical issues before the chequered flag.

In the Woodcote Trophy, JD Classics’ entered its Cooper T33, which put in a brilliant qualifying time to take pole position more than six-tenths of a second ahead of the Aston Martin DB3S sitting in second. 

While sitting comfortably in the lead – and having posted a fastest lap of the race – the occasional puff of smoke in the corners hinted at a mechanical problem. With the car in the pits, the team were forced to retire the Cooper T33 with a head gasket failure.

Following its successes at Donington and at the 73^rd Goodwood Members’ Meeting earlier this year, JD Classics’ next challenge is to take on the gruelling Mille Miglia with a host of expertly prepared cars.

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.

Jaguar celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the Mille Miglia with a field of Seven classic Jags'.

• Jaguar Heritage to field nine of the marque’s most famous 1950s models in the 2015 Mille Miglia
• Event runs from 14-17 May with drivers piloting three C-types, three D-types, an XK120, an XK140 and a MK VII
• Star line-up of drivers come from motorsport, music and entertainment to drive historic Jaguars on the Mille Miglia
• Live updates from event will be available through Jaguar’s official social media channels, as well as Twitter profiles of drivers using hashtag: #JaguarMille

Jaguar is celebrating its 80^th anniversary by once again taking on the legendary challenge that is the Mille Miglia. Held from 14-17 May in Italy, Jaguar Heritage Racing will be fielding a team of drivers who will cover more than 1,000 miles from Brescia-Rome-Brescia in nine of the marque’s most celebrated models.

Famous faces from the world of motorsport, TV and music will put their historic Jaguars through their paces on the gruelling route which takes place over four punishing but unforgettable days starting in Brescia, heading to Rimini, Rome, Parma and then back to Brescia. 

Crowds lining the route will get to see examples of historically-significant Jaguar XKs, C-types and D-types hurtling past them with famous faces in the cockpits.

Five-time winner of the Le Mans 24hr, three-time Daytona 24hr winner and world sportscar veteran, Derek Bell, will make his Mille Miglia debut driving a Jaguar C-type.  Derek is driving as a guest of art collector and classic car enthusiast Adam Lindemann.

Piloting the second C-type, ‘NDU 289’, will be Jaguar Vehicle Integrity Chief Engineer Mike Cross, while the final C-type, ‘PUG 676’, will be driven by Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee Chairman, Ben Cussons.

Driving ‘RSF 303’, a priceless Jaguar D-type ‘Long Nose’ Ecurie Ecosse racer, which finished second at Le Mans in 1957, will be Jaguar Design Director, Ian Callum. A veteran of the Mille Miglia, Ian drove with US chat show host Jay Leno in the 2014 event - this year he will be partnering up with businessman and classic car enthusiast, Clive Beecham.

At the wheel of a Jaguar MK VII will be a man who’s no stranger to speed and sleep deprivation – Charley Boorman. More used to two wheels than four thanks to his many motorbike adventures, Charley will be partnered by Bremont co-founder Giles English. The fastest saloon car of its day, a Jaguar MK VII was famously piloted to victory in the 1956 Monte Carlo Rally by Ronnie Adams with co-drivers Frank Biggar and Derek Johnstone.

Making for a very glamorous cockpit is ‘OOF 748’ - the XK120 roadster of model, TV presenter and current host of Channel 5’s The Classic Car Show, Jodie Kidd, whose co-driver will be male supermodel, GQ columnist and classic car enthusiast, David Gandy.

Host of the hugely popular BBC One show, Saturday Kitchen and well-known TV chef, James Martin, will be partnered by Bremont co-founder Nick English, brother of Giles. They will share the penultimate ‘Long Nose’ Jaguar D-type ever built, registered ‘393 RW’. Completing the trio of D-types will be one of the classic car world’s most respected experts, Simon Kidston.

Completing the Jaguar Heritage team line-up is successful British singer/song-writer Elliot Gleave, otherwise known as Example. Elliot will be driving a XK140 with his father, Michael, as co-pilot. The XK140, registered ‘TAC 743’, was once owned by successful British racing driver David Hobbs.

On the Mille Miglia, a number of new Jaguar XEs will also support the Jaguar Heritage Racing team, following the full route through Italy with broadcast crews and VIP guests.