OREANDA-NEWS. Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge to provide a curtain raiser for the Invictus Games on Tuesday 9th September, with the first medals of the Games awarded.

Teams from 11 Invictus Games nations to compete in all-terrain and tarmac driving stages, held at the Jaguar Land Rover Design and Engineering Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

The Invictus Games, championed by Prince Harry and presented by Jaguar Land Rover, is an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women taking place in London from 10th-14th September 2014.

Jaguar Land Rover is Presenting Partner of the 2014 Invictus Games and is committed to exploring ways to enhance the valuable role of veterans as skilled employees, to create a lasting legacy for the Games.

Whitley, UK: Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans for an Invictus Games driving challenge, with 11 nations competing to win the first medals of the Games.

Taking place at the Jaguar Land Rover Design and Engineering Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire, on Tuesday 9th September, two competition stages will challenge the competitors' driving and navigation skills. Teams, made up of a driver and navigator, will compete over a Land Rover all-terrain stage and a Jaguar tarmac track stage.

Times from both the stages will be amalgamated to give each team a total time. The four quickest pairs will then qualify for the finals, where they will compete for the first gold, silver and bronze medals of the Invictus Games.

In addition to their backing for the Invictus Games, Jaguar Land Rover supports wounded, injured and sick Service personnel through their involvement in the Race2Recovery motorsport team.

Daniel Whittingham was a corporal serving in 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment of the Royal Logistics Corp when he was blown up by a Taliban IED in January 2009. He eventually had his left leg amputated below the knee. He will compete in cycling and wheelchair rugby at the Invictus Game and said: "After finishing the Dakar rally last year with Race2Recovery, which was an extraordinary feat of endurance against all odds, I was keen to explore further ways to focus my recovery. Having the chance to compete with other Servicemen and women who have been through similar hardships and who have come out on top despite all odds, is a massive personal honour.

"For me and indeed all the competitors, there has been so much effort behind the scenes, not just training for the Games but also in adjusting to daily life with our disabilities. I am proud to represent the British team and look forward to the Invictus Games in September."

Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover said: "Jaguar Land Rover is immensely proud to be enabling the Invictus Games and hosting this exciting driving challenge. We have been inspired by the passion with which Prince Harry has championed this visionary idea, to celebrate the commitment and achievements of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel. In addition, we're exploring with the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence innovative ways of enhancing their employment prospects and those of other Service personnel when moving into civilian life, to create a lasting legacy from the Games."

The Invictus Games is being organised with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence. It will see more than 400 wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women, from 14 nations, competing at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, thanks to the Mayor of London, the London Legacy Development Corporation and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.