Senna and Brundle Lead Jaguar Charge as the 2014 Mille Miglia Begins in Brescia

15 May 2014

With the flag about to drop on the 2014 Mille Miglia, Jaguar Heritage Racing is revving up for 1,000 miles of high‑speed driving through Italy – led by Martin Brundle and Bruno Senna, who are piloting a genuine piece of Coventry history

IN BRIEF 

  • Jaguar Heritage Racing gets ready for the off with Martin Brundle and Bruno Senna leading the charge in a 'Long Nose' D‑type 
  • Famous 1956 car was the penultimate example built and is the only D‑type taking part in the Italian event  
  • Jaguar Heritage Racing is fielding ten 1950s models in the 2014 Mille Miglia, including XKs and C‑types
  • Top racers plus household names from stage and screen as well as fashion, motor sport and music celebrities driving with Jaguar Heritage Racing 

IN DETAIL 

(Whitley, Coventry ‑ 15 May 2014) With the flag about to drop on the 2014 Mille Miglia, Jaguar Heritage Racing is revving up for 1,000 miles of high‑speed driving through Italy ‑ led by Martin Brundle and Bruno Senna, who are piloting a genuine piece of Coventry history. 

Ex‑Jaguar Le Mans and World Sports Prototype Championship winner, Formula 1 driver and SKY F1 TV pundit Brundle along with ex‑Formula 1 racer Bruno Senna are sharing the famous 'Long Nose' Jaguar D‑type. 

Martin Brundle, commented: "As some people know, I'm a fan and owner of the E‑type ‑ but this D‑type is phenomenal car. I can only imagine how brave my racing driver predecessors were to pilot it at 190mph‑plus down the Mulsanne Straight.

"Bruno and I will make sure we do this legendary British racing car justice. We have discussed our strategy for the Mille Miglia and feel quietly confident. We haven't raced together before but we share a huge amount of enthusiasm for this amazing rally." 

Bruno Senna added: "The D‑type is one of the most beautiful racing cars ever made ‑ and it's a real privilege to drive it on the Mille Miglia in its 60th anniversary year.

"This 'Long Nose' car has such an incredible history, you can feel that from every detail, from the competition‑worn aero windscreen to the seats and of course that remarkable tail fin. Martin and I won't be holding back. We're heading the Jaguar Heritage Racing charge and will do so in style." 

The penultimate example built, the D‑type carries the registration 393 RW and is a true racing thoroughbred. Produced in March 1956 for the works team, it won the Reims 12‑hour race, driven by Duncan Hamilton and Ivor Bueb then went on to finish sixth in the Le Mans 24 Hours. 

Such is its originality, 393 RW carries the same wraparound aero windscreen, passenger seat, door and famous integrated tailfin as it did when it competed in 1956. After retiring from European competition, the car even had an extended career on American shores too, finishing third in the 1957 Sebring 12‑hour race. 

With D‑type production beginning in 1954, the sight of this legendary Jaguar model in this year's Mille Miglia is a fitting way to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2014. 

Jaguar Heritage Racing will be tackling the legendary Mille Miglia classic car endurance event from 15‑18 May with a line‑up of top‑name drivers, which will be traversed over 1,000 grueling miles from Brescia‑Rome‑Brescia in ten of the most revered and sought‑after historic Jaguar cars ever produced. As with all of the Jaguar Heritage Racing cars competing in the Mille Miglia, support will come from classic car technical experts, JD Classics. 

A number of new Jaguar F‑TYPE Coupés will support the Jaguar Heritage Racing team, following the full Mille Miglia route through Italy with broadcast crews and VIP guests.

The drivers making up the Jaguar Heritage Racing team will be tweeting live throughout the event, which was famously once proclaimed as: 'The most beautiful race in the world'.

Live updates will be available through Jaguar official social media channels, as well as Twitter profiles of drivers using hashtag: #JaguarMille

Twitter profiles to watch for the latest personal updates on the event include:

Jaguar Heritage Racing Driver

Twitter profile name

Jay Leno

@LenosGarage               

Martin Brundle

@MBrundleF1                 

Bruno Senna

@BSenna                        

Jodie Kidd

@RealJodieKidd             

David Blakeley

@daveblakeley               

Milow

@milow                             

Elliot Gleave (Example)

@example

Erin Gleave

@Erin_McNaught            

Brian Johnson

@BrianJohnson       


In addition Jaguar will be publishing live updates from 14‑18 May at: www.facebook.com/Jaguar and www.twitter.com/jaguar

For media enquiries contact: 

Dan Connell | PR and Communications Manager| E: dconnel1@jaguarlandrover.com | T: +44 (0)7880 177307 

Jon Morgan | Senior ProductPress Officer | E: jmorgan8@jaguarlandrover.com | T: +44 (0) 2476 564 507 

Anna Jackson | Press Officer | E: ajackso1@jaguarlandrover.com | T: +44 (0) 7880 401103 

‑ ENDS ‑ 

Notes to Editors: 

Full list of drivers in photo with caption 'Jaguar drivers at Mille Miglia 2014: 

(L‑R) Jeremy Irons, John Edwards, Ian Callum, Jay Leno, Elliot Gleave (aka Example), Erin Gleave, Bernard Kuhnt, Brian Johnson, Milow, Jodie Kidd, David Blakeley, Martin Brundle, Richard Frankel, Andy Wallace, Mike Cross 

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