Words and Track Images Colin Porter
Pitlane images: Ray Ingman
It’s the day after our Silverstone International Track Day, and to be honest, I’m still processing all that happened. Often, because I’m so involved in the planning and organisation, it’s difficult to step back and take it all in and have an objective view. Shortly after the day was up and running, I had to make a dash from the ‘Wing’ to the hotel across the bridge over the Hamilton Straight to collect a crash helmet. I paused for a moment on the bridge to take the awe-inspiring view of our Jaguars streaming out of Club Corner and under the bridge, and I couldn’t help feeling a small sense of pride. How far has JEC TrackSport come in five years? I do hope that Graham Searle (our late GM and director) and Ray Searles (our late chairman) were looking down at that moment too, as so much of these events is owed to them.
The day got underway with the mandatory driver safety briefing delivered by our ARDS (Association of Racing Driver Schools) instructor, Ray Ingman. Ray was at the circuit early to ensure that cones were in place for braking, turn-in and apex points, on the circuit, something I know many of you felt was very helpful. He then ran sighting laps behind the safety car in groups to learn the tricky technical international loop. A dedicated novice session followed, giving new circuit drivers a chance to bed-in before quicker cars took to the track. I know that many of you then benefited from Ray’s expert coaching throughout the day.
The open-pit lane got underway, and it was wonderful to see the range of Jaguars on track spanning more than sixty years, from Mk 2s and E-types to F-types and F-PACES, daily drivers such as XEs and modified track-focused XKs, all enjoying the International circuit together.
We were again blessed with support from our club partners, Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust and Swallows Racing, as well as friends from the Jaguar racing community, including Colin Philpott from Powerbell, Andrew Maynard, Samantha Chiene, and Mark Bennett. Lucky members and guests were treated to passenger rides in the JDHT and F-TYPE Race Taxi, expertly piloted by former JLR chassis engineer Mike Gallery. Mike has been a regular on the sprint and hillclimb racing scene since the 1980s, competing in Minis and Porsche 911s, and now devotes many hours a week as a volunteer with the trust. Friend and JEC club member, former F1, F5000 and Le Mans driver Mike Wilds, was at the wheel of the JDHT X351 Ring Taxi, putting in countless laps with grinning passengers at his side. Mike has been so helpful to the club recently, supporting many of our JEC TrackSport events in various ways. After Mike Wilds had done his shift, it was the turn of Jaguar Enthusiast Magazine Editor, Wayne Scott, to lap the Ring Taxi, and you can read his thoughts on the car in June’s Jaguar Enthusiast Magazine.
2025 Jaguar Champion Jack Robinson and his brother Tom Robinson, 2022 Champion from Swallows Racing, showed guests their family’s talent by running passengers around in Swallows’ immaculately prepared XK8 and XJS race cars. It was a special treat for many to enjoy a ride in Jack’s championship-winning XK8, which recently secured a class win at the Spa Francochamps Summer Classic. Swallows Racing were supported on the day by their partner Tarox, their brake supplier, who provide brake packages for their winning cars. Adding to our Jaguar champions line-up, 2024 Champion Colin Philpott in his freshly liveried Powerbell Eden Interiors XJS, Colin putting in many passenger laps for our visitors, also fresh from a class win at Spa. We were also enormously grateful to Andrew Maynard from Amitec UK in his XKRS-GT, Andrew now entering his fifth season in the Jaguar Championship, and to Sam and Mark in Sam’s XJS race car for taking many members around in their cars. Sam is now a leading light in the British Women Racing Drivers Club (BWRDC). Mark was runner-up in the 2025 Jaguar Championship in his unique X Type Estate race car, which he built.
For many, particularly our large contingent of spectators, the highlight of the day came in the form of the JDHT Quaker State Group 44 XJR-5, with the trust’s chief mechanic, Jock Howe, at the wheel. We were treated to the sight of chassis #009 lapping the Silverstone circuit, a fitting tribute to the car’s creator, Bob Tullius, who sadly passed away in March, aged 95. Bob was famed for racing British marques, including Triumph, MG and Jaguar, in the USA and beyond. We are incredibly grateful to Matthew Davis and his team from the trust for bringing these wonderful cars from their collection. Having so many special cars from JDHT, Swallows Racing and others elevates JEC TrackSport from a simple track day into a significant club event that can be enjoyed by all.
