The new JEC TrackSport season got underway on 25th April 2023 with a record attendance and stunning weather conditions. Over 62 cars took to the track, representing Jaguars from all eras from C-type replicas to the latest F-Types, from a Series 1 XJ6 to a family XF Sportbrake and everything in-between. These were all members cars out having high-speed fun in a safe, friendly, and supportive environment.
Swallows Racing once again supported the day with the attendance of several of their star cars and drivers, plus the Swallows transporter lorry. Members were able to enjoy passenger rides with the Swallows family team including Tom Robinson in one of their two Palmersport XKRs, brother Jack Robinson in his championship Jaguar and father Gary Robinson in a JP1. The Swallows Racing team never fail to thrill our attendees with their adrenaline filled passenger hot laps, a real treat at all our JEC Tracksport events!
This year of course marks the F-Type’s 10th anniversary and to celebrate that fact, the event held a celebratory cavalcade of F-types on track during the lunch break. The cavalcade was made up of over 20 different F-Types from JEC members plus the Sky Team car and a Project 7 from the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust.
Another huge draw for F-Type fans was the Newbarn Racing Britcar Endurance Series prepared example with its 6.2 litre engine. It was the first time that a JEC Tracksport event had played host to Newbarn Racing and their clearly rapid car was a huge hit with those present so a huge thanks to Paul Murray, their principle, and the other members of the team who made it possible for us all to enjoy this awesome F-type on track and in the paddock.
The team from the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, who were present with the cars, also had another huge treat for enthusiasts attending on the day. JEC TrackSport attendees looked on in astonishment as the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust rolled out the Silk Cut liveried TWR XJR9, the very car that won the 1988 Le Mans 24 Hours with Andy Wallace, Jan Lammers and Johnny Dumfries at the wheel. The car then took to the track at Castle Combe for three spectacular, goosebump inducing laps in a high-speed formation with Andrew Maynard’s TWR built R9R (XJR-15).
It was an emotional moment for all the onlookers that lined the circuit, but nobody was more moved than Richard West, who was in the passenger seat of the XJR15 alongside Tom Robinson (who masterfully drove the fearsome beast). For Richard, it was the first time he had sat in a race car since he had done so with the late, great, Ayrton Senna during his F1 career. Clearly emotional, Richard West said, “It really brought back some amazing memories, not just of these superb cars and my time at TWR, but also the achievements of the team of people that built them. My heartfelt thanks to Andrew Maynard for making this possible and to Tom Robinson for his skilful driving!”
You can hear the full interview with Richard in a future episode of the JEC Podcast.
Amongst other notable attendees was Julian Barratt from SNG Barratt who was lapping in his anniversary edition F-type, Independent Jaguar specialist Tom Lenthall who brought his epic XJS race car, Lord Bath of Longleat and the team from the JEC’s Insurance scheme and Peter James.
Ray Ingman, our tamed racing driver was joined by Tim Nash, both ARDS instructors, to offer free tuition and coaching to members on the day. They ensured everyone got the best out of their Jaguars on track and learned some new skills to take with them through the rest of the season of JEC TrackSport events.
If you missed out this time, or if you came and are already eager for the next one, then get booking a www.jec.org.uk/tracksport to secure your place on our next track experience fixture. Also, if you’d like to get your own Jaguar out on track – don’t forget that the club’s insurance scheme – JEC Insurance – cover our track day events as part of your club members’ policy, free of charge. All you must do is let them know you’d like it included when you call on 0121 274 5360.
To view our full gallery of images click here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QbMd…
