The JEC track day at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire produced a breath-taking finale to end the first season of JEC TrackSport. Over two hundred members and guests enjoyed a fantastic spectacle of Jaguars doing what they do best throughout a packed day of track-based action.
No less than eighty members ventured out on track in a variety of sixty-five different Jaguars from all eras during the day. Many more also took advantage of hot lap passenger rides in a range of exotic track prepared Jaguar hardware, courtesy of our official partner Swallows Racing. The Somerset based company were also on-site all-day offering tips and advice along with a trade display of their performance upgrades for Jaguars.
Club member Andrew Maynard once again generously supported JEC TrackSport with his XKRS-GT (one of ten only right-hand drive cars) giving passenger rides. Andrew also kindly brought along R9R, the original XJR-15 prototype. To top this off, he then handed the keys to fellow club member and former F1 & Le Mans racing driver Mike Wilds to thrill the crowd with some high-speed demonstration laps!
The lunch hour offered the chance to wander the paddock crammed with the Jaguars on display ranging from XK120s to SVO F-Types. JEC TrackSport days are track days, car shows, and social events all rolled into one. They are alive with the sounds, sights, and smells of wonderful Jaguars and always have something for everyone.
The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) never disappoint at these events, and once again brought along some historical gems for us all to enjoy. The prototype Project 8 took to the track along with the Nürburgring X351 ‘Ring Taxi’. As lunchtime ended and the track action resumed, JDHT produced their ‘showstopper’ in the form of the 1984 TWR XJS ETCC winning car that was driven by Tom Walkinshaw and Win Percy in period. As it rolled it out onto the historic Castle Combe tarmac, the sound of its glorious, unbridled, TWR tuned V12 brought everyone out to the many easily accessible trackside viewing points to grab a glimpse of Jaguar history in action. For two full laps the TWR XJS lived and breathed again, bringing back memories of the awesome motorsport achievements of this, ‘the car that saved Jaguar’. There were goosebumps all-round and maybe even the odd teary eye!
To round off the event, our special guest Mike Wilds then took to the wheel of the Swallows Racing JP1 taking several privileged members out on hot laps, what an experience!
A huge thanks to Ray Ingman and Tim Nash who once again guided both nervous novices and those with experience wishing to improve their driving skills on track with their superb ARDS coaching once again.
One such attendee, Peter Simpson said, “Yesterday, my daughter Emma participated in a JEC TrackSport Track Day at Castle Combe, with me tagging on as humble photographer. I was secretly hoping that the JEC’s resident ARDS Instructor Ray Ingman would judge Emma to be wholly unsuited to racing and order that my precious XK8 remain in the pits, unsullied by track punishment. But no, Ray declared Emma to possess a natural affinity for the racing line and encouraged her to make full use of the abundant track-time opportunities! The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club are worthy of high praise for these Track Day initiatives, as is Ray for exuding the composure that marks the consummate Instructor.”
Our thanks to our volunteers from Somerset Region, Central & West Midlands Region for their support, Castle Combe Circuit, Swallows Racing, Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, Mike Wilds, Andrew Maynard, and our JEC office team.
Watch this space for our 2023 JEC TrackSport Calendar to be announced soon.
