Jaguar heritage to headline at festival of speed

Jackie Stewart is to bring the sparkling new Jaguar Formula One team to Goodwood on June 23-25, as part of a massive marque celebration at the centrepiece of Lord March’s eighth Festival of Speed. No word yet as to whether Johnny Herbert or Eddie Irvine both of whom have previously taken part in the showpiece will drive the RI racer through his front garden.

The rich heritage of Jaguar, which enters the F1 World Championship for the first time this year buoyed by progenitor Stewart-Ford’s dramatic maiden F1 victory last autumn will ensure a tremendous presence within the visual extravaganza, themed ‘Champions and Challengers’. The most famous cats will be featured in what is promised to be a stunning display of “every significant Jaguar racing car” outside Goodwood House. Among the hordes will be Le Mans-winning C and D-types of the 1950s and the Silk Cut Jaguar XJR-8, XJR-9 and XJR-14 which claimed the World Sportscar Championships in ’87, ’88 and ’91. Because the event does not clash with a Grand Prix, it is hoped that drivers Raul Boesel, Martin Brundle and Teo Fabi will be reunited with their respective steeds.

Williams F1 cars will also star at the event, with Alan Jones set to make his Festival debut aboard one of the Cosworth-powered FW07 chassis which he drove to the 1980 World Championship. MP