Jaguar has announced that it will re-enter the Le Mans 24 hour race after a 20-year hiatus from the event. The firm, which is the most successful British make in the competition's history, is racing to celebrate 75 years as an automotive company.

Between 1951 and 1990, Jaguar won Le Mans seven times with a host of well known drivers, such as Martin Brundle and John Nielsen, at the helm. C.J. O'Donnell, Global Marketing Director of Jaguar Cars, said: "Motorsport has always been important to the Jaguar brand. Our domination of Le Mans in the 1950s was a foundation on which the company was developed."

However, Jaguar is trying to suppress any delusions of grandeur in light of its success in past years. Paul Gentilozzi, Principal Partner at JaguarRSR said: "Spirits will be high around Jaguar's return to Le Mans but we must remember the incredibly high level of competition - a podium place in our category will not fall into our hands."

Spectators can expect to see the Jaguar XKR GT2, driven by Scott Pruett and Marc Goossens, at Le Mans on 12th June this year.

Kieran Fitzpatrick - 4 Feb 2010