Jaguar E-Types on track at the Goodwood Revival 2011

Jaguar E-Types tussling on track at the Goodwood Revival

It’s been a big year for the E-Type Jaguar. Despite still being probably the most iconic car ever made it’s finally reached middle-age, with the big 5-0 arriving in March at Geneva.

Understandably, Jaguar has made the most of the anniversary of the E-Type by rolling out E-Types at every event they could, but perhaps the most appropriate event for the E-Type to headline at has been this weekend’s Goodwood revival, a veritable cornucopia of nostalgic and historic motoring goodness.

And the E-Type at The Goodwood Revival has been a fitting pinnacle for this year’s celebrations.

On static display there have been a heap of Jaguars, from the beautiful SS100 to the rare E-Type lightweight (the inspiration for Eagle’s stunning Lightweight E-Type Speedster).

But the E-Types at Goodwood haven’t just been on static display – they’ve been out racing and reliving their youth on the Goodwood Circuit.

Today sees the E-Types racing for real, but at yesterday’s race practice we had the joy of seeing the Lightweight of Gerhard Berger and Adrian Newey (and if you don’t know who they are – where is the petrol in your veins?) fighting hard with another Lightweight piloted by Emanuele Pirro and Desiré Wilson fighting for pole.

And even though the cars on  track had a value in the tens of millions, there was no pussy-footing around and playing safe. Pole was achieved with a stunning time of 1:24s with a 102.2mph average. None too shoddy.

Tony O’Keefe, Curator at Jaguar Heritage, said:

It’s been an incredible first day at the Goodwood Revival – a truly unique event and a fitting place to celebrate 50-years of the E-type. I’m grateful for the support shown by private owners in entering their valuable cars in the races as well as putting them on display – Jaguar has a wonderful heritage, kept alive by the enthusiasm and passion of the owners.

If you aren’t at Goodwood today you’ll miss a real treat. But do yourself a favour and stick a note in the diary to get tickets for next year.

You’ll love it.

(11 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK