Off to Le Mans

Car no. 15 - one of the 'missing six' examples of Jaguar's iconic sports car - is ready to race on the track where Jaguar scored seven Le Mans 24 Hours wins.

Stratstone's Jaguar Lightweight E-type is set to play a starring role in this weekend's Classic Le Mans - the 24-hour historic racing event on July 8-10, which takes place on the same circuit as the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Le Mans Classic is unique in the motorsport calendar, with a series of races and parades for vintage race cars from the 1920s to the 1970s that run around the clock - including races that take place at night. Alongside the Le Mans 24 Hours, it is facebook.com/stratstone the only event that runs on Le Mans' full 8.5-mile La Sarthe layout.

The circuit includes sections run on closed public roads, the challenging Mulsanne straight where some cars approach 200mph, and the fearsome Porsche Curves. It is the scene of Jaguar's seven Le Mans wins - with the C-type in 1951 and 1953, the D-type in 1955, 1956 and 1957, and the XJR in 1988 and 1990.

Stratstone's Lightweight E-type will be competing in the Jaguar Classic Challenge in a field of almost 70 vintage XK120, C-type, D-type and E-type sports cars, as well as Mk 1 and Mk 2 saloons. At the wheel will be respected car journalist, racer and Top Gear presenter Chris Harris.

The Le Mans Classic event will be a big weekend for Jaguar fans. The grid for the Group C Racing series includes the Richard Eyre-driven Jaguar XJR that was raced by Davy Jones in the 1991 IMSA GTP series, while a wealth of XK120s, C-types and D-types will compete in the event for cars from 1949-1956 - Jaguar's golden era of Le Mans victories. Jaguar E-types will be taking on long-standing rivals such as the Ferrari 250 LM and the Shelby Cobra in the event for cars from 1962-1965.

You can read more about how Stratstone's Lightweight E-type was prepared to race in the Le Mans Classic event here, and see footage of the car being tested at Donington Park here.

We'll be covering Le Mans Classic direct from the track on stratstone.com, as well as on Twitter @StratstoneLive and Facebook. So, be sure to follow us to get the latest news.