Oulton Park will host Jaguars at Oulton – Cheshire Cats, which will act as the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust’s dedicated national day, on Saturday 8 August. This all-new fixture will celebrate one of Britain’s most famous automotive marques with a blend of competitive on-track action, demonstrations and displays.
Entertainment on the circuit will come from a race programme curated by the Classic Sports Car Club (CSCC). Themed highlights will include the CSCC Jaguar Championship, a ‘Powered by Jaguar’ race, plus the Mike Hawthorn Jaguar Challenge with its grid of pre-1961 classics from the iconic automotive manufacturer.
One of the core attractions will be a special on-track ‘big cats’ demonstration, featuring a special selection of famous machines chosen by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. The machinery taking to the picturesque Cheshire parkland setting will include evocative Group C sports cars.
Off the circuit, the venue will be filled with a vast array of Jaguar cars from all eras. This will include various displays from a range of Jaguar owners’ clubs as well as individual displays, all helping to celebrate a number of Jaguar anniversaries.
Further entertainment will include Q&A sessions throughout the day from special guests and Jaguar specialists, as well as a track parade lap at the end of the day for all Jaguars on display.
Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Managing Director, Matthew Davis, said: "The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust is really excited to be working with MotorSport Vision, the CSCC and Jaguar Land Rover Classic to deliver Jaguars at Oulton - Cheshire Cats, a unique celebration of all things Jaguar. This is a big year for Jaguar as we celebrate 25 years of the X-Type, 30 years of the XK8/XKR, 40 years of the XJ40, 65 years of the E-Type, 130 years of Daimler and the launch of the highly anticipated new Jaguar.
“Oulton Park is one of the finest circuits in the country and holds an important place for Jaguar. It was the scene of the first race win in an E-Type and brings us closer to the huge community of Jaguar lovers in Cheshire and the North West. The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust will be bringing our unique XJ13, the Silk Cut Jaguar XJR-9 that won Le Mans in 1988 and a host of Group C and XJ220s to lead a parade of 'big cats' in between some fantastic Jaguar racing, organised by the CSCC."
CSCC Managing Director, David Smitheram, said: “The CSCC has a long history with Jaguar, particularly the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club (JEC), so we are thrilled to be involved in the very first Jaguars at Oulton - Cheshire Cats event. The day will feature a total of nine races, with four contests featuring a particular focus on Jaguar. The JEC also plans to present a special award to commemorate a Jaguar drivers achievement at the event.
“The Jaguar offering includes two races for the Alpha Lexis Law Firm Jaguar Championship, featuring big cats from the ‘70s through to the modern era while the Mike Hawthorn Jaguar Challenge with Suffolk Classic Services, will compete for 40 minutes, for the coveted Norman Dewis Trophy. It will be a special sight to see ‘50s and ‘60s models sliding around the circuit just as they would have done in period.
“Last seen in 2013, the ‘Powered By Jaguar’ category returns too. This is a 40-minute all-comers race for Jaguars and other cars with a Jaguar engine. We’re hoping this will attract a diverse entry of wonderful creations and replicas, but all with a beating Coventry heart.”