BRESCIA, 20TH MAY 2012.- THE SIX-CAR STRONG JAGUAR HERITAGE RACING TEAM ARRIVED BACK IN BRESCIA IN THE EARLY HOURS OF SUNDAY MORNING TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE 2012 MILLE MIGLIA. THE TEAM’S ENTRIES COMPRISED THREE C-TYPES, TWO XK 120S AND A MK VII SALOON, EACH CREW AND CAR FINISHING THE CHALLENGING BRESCIA-ROME-BRESCIA ROUTE WITHOUT INCIDENT AMONGST AN ENTRY THAT INCLUDED 32 JAGUARS IN TOTAL – A NEW RECORD.
Little more than 48 hours earlier, the event had begun in celebratory fashion for the marque when Sir Stirling Moss and Norman Dewis took the start in a disc-brake equipped C-type, just as they did in 1952; their Mille Miglia efforts of 60 years ago representing a huge step forward in Jaguar’s development of disc-brake technology for wide-scale road car use.
Today, Moss and Dewis are the oldest surviving Mille Miglia driver/co-driver pairing. Their heroic efforts of 60-years ago were fondly acknowledged by the Brescia crowds who were treated to the sight of Moss completing a parade lap in the very C-type (XKC 005) which, later in 1952, he drove to victory at Reims to record the very first win for a disc-braked car.
Said Frank Klaas, Global Head of Communications, Jaguar Land Rover: «The Mille Miglia is always a very special event, and one that Jaguar is again proud to sponsor. This year’s Mille, however, had heightened significance for Jaguar as it represented a great anniversary in the marque’s history of building technologically innovative cars; 60 years since Sir Stirling Moss and Norman Dewis put disc-brake technology through its first competitive endurance test.
«Their efforts played a crucial part in developing disc-brakes for volume production, technology that has since saved countless lives on the road. The bravery of Moss and Dewis in 1952, and their continued enthusiasm for life in 2012, was an inspiration for the entire Jaguar Heritage Racing team on this year’s Mille Miglia.»
The 2012 Mille Miglia was the first competitive full team outing for the Jaguar Heritage Racing programme which, later this year, will also see works-backed C- and D-types race competitively for the first time since 1956 at both the Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix and the Goodwood Revival.
The 2012 Mille Miglia Jaguar Heritage Racing works-entry comprised:
- C-type (chassis: XKC 005, registration: MDU 212).
- C-type (chassis: XKC 018, registration: 70 XVK).
- C-type (chassis: XKC 045, registration: NDU 289 ).
- Mk VII (registration: LHP 5).
- XK 120 OTS (registration: OOF 748).
- XK 120 fixed-head (registration: LWK 707).
You can look back at Jaguar’s progress through this year’s Mille Miglia via:
media.jaguar.com
facebook.com/Jaguar
twitter.com/jaguar
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The Jaguar Heritage Racing programme was launched on 12th March 2012 at the RAC Club in London andis operated and managed by JD Classics, based in Maldon, Essex. An established player in the historic motorsport world, JD Classics will prepare both the C- and D-type Jaguars which will take to the track at the Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix (10-12 August)and Goodwood Revival (14-16 September).
The Jaguar Heritage Racing programme will supplement the activities of Jaguar Heritage – a charitable trust and custodians of an extensive collection of priceless models from Jaguar’s past, including the unique XJ13 prototype. Its cars are not campaigned competitively on-track, but will continue to be exhibited – and demonstrated – at a huge number of events during 2012.
Throughout the season the activities of the Jaguar Heritage Racing programme will be broadcast around the world via its global media partner, CNN.
Text by: Clásicos al Volante.
Photographs by: Jaguar.
