The greatest number of "works supported" Jaguars ever will take part in this year's Mille Miglia, with a D-type, four C-types and a Mark VII saloon being supported by Jaguar Cars and the Jaguar Heritage Trust.
Joining the historic cars and a fleet of XKR and XFR support vehicles will be Norman Dewis, the former Jaguar test development driver who navigated for Stirling Moss in the 1952 race - which was to end with the duo's C-type crashing on the Raticosa Pass only 123 miles from finish and while lying third at the time.
Jaguar has had a long association with the famous event. In 1950 four works-prepared XK 120s ran in the Mille Miglia, and in 1951 a young Stirling Moss took part in a similar car.
Since the race was recreated as a retrospective event, privately owned Jaguars as well as those from the Jaguar Heritage collection have taken part almost every year.
This year will see a total of 20 Jaguars from around the world competing with 355 other cars of all shapes and sizes. Tony O'Keeffe, the Jaguar "works manager" at Jaguar Heritage, said: "we wanted to create a proper 'works team'. We are sending our long nose D-type, our C-type which actually took part in the Mille Miglia in 1953, and we are supporting three other C-types and a Mark VII saloon. We will also have a Jaguar legend with us - Norman Dewis
"It will be history repeating itself," said Norman, now 88. "In 1952, 57 years ago, we drove the C-type I competed in that year, and a Mark VII support car, all the way from Coventry to Brescia, and this year will create the atmosphere that I remember so well."
Peter Mitchell Executive Director at Jaguar heritage said: "The Mille Miglia is one of the most famous events in the world. It allows Jaguar Heritage to show two of its most famous cars to a worldwide audience, support other famous historic Jaguars which have been invited, and allows Jaguar Cars to showcase their latest vehicles."
photo:Jaguar
The Mark VII was Jaguar's first 100 mph sedan. It was built from 1951 to 1956. In 1953, one (97 DMH) competed in the Mille Miglia. |
Joining the historic cars and a fleet of XKR and XFR support vehicles will be Norman Dewis, the former Jaguar test development driver who navigated for Stirling Moss in the 1952 race - which was to end with the duo's C-type crashing on the Raticosa Pass only 123 miles from finish and while lying third at the time.
Jaguar has had a long association with the famous event. In 1950 four works-prepared XK 120s ran in the Mille Miglia, and in 1951 a young Stirling Moss took part in a similar car.
Since the race was recreated as a retrospective event, privately owned Jaguars as well as those from the Jaguar Heritage collection have taken part almost every year.
This year will see a total of 20 Jaguars from around the world competing with 355 other cars of all shapes and sizes. Tony O'Keeffe, the Jaguar "works manager" at Jaguar Heritage, said: "we wanted to create a proper 'works team'. We are sending our long nose D-type, our C-type which actually took part in the Mille Miglia in 1953, and we are supporting three other C-types and a Mark VII saloon. We will also have a Jaguar legend with us - Norman Dewis
"It will be history repeating itself," said Norman, now 88. "In 1952, 57 years ago, we drove the C-type I competed in that year, and a Mark VII support car, all the way from Coventry to Brescia, and this year will create the atmosphere that I remember so well."
Peter Mitchell Executive Director at Jaguar heritage said: "The Mille Miglia is one of the most famous events in the world. It allows Jaguar Heritage to show two of its most famous cars to a worldwide audience, support other famous historic Jaguars which have been invited, and allows Jaguar Cars to showcase their latest vehicles."
The 1952 Jaguar C-type with registration mark MDU 214. Stirling Moss is at the wheel. |
photo:Jaguar