British sports and luxury car manufacturer Jaguar has assembled a team of high profile stars from the worlds of music, entertainment, fashion, design and motorsport as it prepares to compete in the legendary Mille Miglia celebratory tour from 14-17 May this year in Italy. The exciting line-up of drivers for the Jaguar Heritage Mille Miglia team features household names including Example (aka Elliot Gleave), David Gandy, Jodie Kidd, James Martin and Charley Boorman.
The Jaguar Heritage team will cover more than 1,000 miles from Brescia-Rome-Brescia in nine of the marque’s most celebrated models.
These iconic Jaguar cars will be put through their paces on the gruelling route, which takes place over four punishing but unforgettable days starting in Brescia, heading to Rimini, Rome, Parma and then back to Brescia. Crowds lining the Mille Miglia route will get to see examples of historically-significant Jaguar XKs, C-types and D-types hurtling past with famous faces in the cockpits.
Making for a very glamorous cockpit is the XK120 of model, TV presenter and current host of Channel 5’s The Classic Car Show, Jodie Kidd, whose co-driver will be none other than globally-recognised male supermodel and sports car enthusiast, David Gandy. Jodie completed the Mille Miglia in 2014 – and will be keener than ever to improve her performance. David also returns after competing in the event in 2013 with Yasmin Le Bon.
Another returning famous face is Elliot Gleave, otherwise known as successful British musician, Example. Elliot will be driving an XK140 with his father, Michael. Meanwhile, host of the hugely popular BBC One show, Saturday Kitchen, and well-known chef, James Martin, will be partnered by Bremont Watch Company founder Nick English in a priceless D-type. Nick’s brother and Bremont Watch Company co-founder Giles will also be taking part, driving a Jaguar MK VII with a man who’s no stranger to speed and sleep deprivation thanks to his many motorbike adventures – Charley Boorman.
Five-time winner of the Le Mans 24hr, three-time Daytona 24hr winner and world sportscar veteran, Derek Bell, will make his Mille Miglia debut driving a Jaguar C-type. He’ll be partnered by art collector and classic car enthusiast Adam Lindemann.
Also piloting C-types will be Jaguar Vehicle Integrity Chief Engineer Mike Cross and Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee Chairman, Ben Cussons. Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum will drive a D-type. A veteran of the Mille Miglia, Ian drove with US chat show host Jay Leno in the 2014 event – this year, he will be partnering up with business magnate and classic car enthusiast, Clive Beecham. Completing the D-type line-up will be one of the classic car world’s most well-connected classic car experts, Simon Kidston.
On the Mille Miglia, a number of new Jaguar XEs will also support the Jaguar Heritage Racing team, following the full route through Italy with broadcast crews and VIP guests.
Twitter profiles to watch for the latest personal updates on the event include:
Jaguar Heritage Racing Driver Twitter profile name (using #JaguarMille)
Derek Bell @MrDerekBell
David Gandy @DGandyOfficial
Jodie Kidd @RealJodieKidd
Elliot Gleave (Example) @example
James Martin @jamesmartinchef
Nick English @BremontNick
Giles English @GilesEnglish
Charley Boorman @charleyboorman
Ian Callum @IanCallum
In addition Jaguar will be publishing live updates from 14-17 May at:
www.facebook.com/Jaguar and www.twitter.com/jaguar
Note: Courtesy Jaguar Land Rover.
