The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club excelled once again at inspiring a new generation of Jaguar fans by putting on another memorable experience day event for young drivers at Bicester Heritage.
The day of driving sessions allowed the younger generation to drive Jaguars from all eras, accompanied by instructors who were all either long – term Jaguar enthusiasts or experienced drivers, instructors or motorsport competitors.
Hosted by the JEC’s Oxfordshire region, the attendees enjoyed a sunny Spring day, if a little chilly to start. Any thoughts of getting cold though were soon forgotten though when the adrenaline started pumping!
The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust really put the event on the map by bringing along their SVO Project 7 F-Type, aided by JDHT volunteer Dave in the trust’s XJR (X351) ‘Ring Taxi’. JDHT Managing Director Matthew Davis worked extremely hard to get the cars insured for such an event and was also on hand throughout as an instructor, accompanying many young enthusiasts on their life changing driving experiences.
Away from the track-based experiences, spectators also enjoyed rides around the heritage facility courtesy of JEC Oxfordshire members in their display cars.
SNG Barratt, attended with CEO Julian Barratt in his personal ‘60th Anniversary’ commemorative F-Type coupe, backed up by Peter Stant in the company’s well patinated but highly prepared XK120 roadster. These cars really did give the drivers the ability to experience truly classic Jaguars before comparing them to the latest F-Type with all the modern technology.
Swallows Independent Jaguar, supplied their ‘PalmerSport’ XKR (X150) track day experience car, together with an XFR. The club took along our very own modified XF Sportbrake, and JEC member Andrew Maynard provided his 1 of 10 limited edition XKRS-GT – a real show stopper!
Matthew Harris from CMC in Bridgnorth bought along an unusual manual transmission Daimler XJ6 Series 3, which was an excellent ‘interim’ car between the earlier models and the later cars. Regional ambassador and JEC stalwart Geoff Johnson bought his XK150 DHC, which attracted a lot of interest on the day and ran faultlessly throughout.
The event went so smoothly that the drivers had time to experience four track sessions instead of the planned three. We’d like to thank Ray Ingman and Brian Pallett for their support on the day and for keeping everyone safe on the track and also to the enthusiastic volunteers from the JEC’s Oxfordshire Region for their superb hosting.
Hear what our attendees had to say:
I have been a JEC member for nearly 20 years. During that time, I have been to many JEC events. However, this event has been without doubt, the best Jaguar event that I have ever attended.
Andy Stodart
On behalf of Mia and Alex I would like to thank you and all the JEC team for another successful day for the young drivers. All I saw all day were big smiles after each drive – well done all!!!
Anthony Horobin
It was great to experience a variety of Jags from different eras, and I was surprised how willing the owners were to share their cars and let us get a feel for them on the test track. I would recommend the event to others.
Evan Bailey
