The day began quite chilly and damp with intermittent rain creating some nervous looks on the faces of those first out to brave the track. They weren't without preparation though, because the friendly and helpful staff at Castle Combe gave everyone a thorough briefing after they had signed on. The clerk of the course talked every driver through the track, where to brake and what to look out for. Furthermore there was assistance out on track with cones marking the braking and turning points to help novices and first time track day drivers with the getting around the 2.97 km circuit.
There was a wide variety of cars out on track from standard road-going saloons such as the XJ40 of Anthony Willshire and the XJS of Simon Dunford through to the full race cars there using the opportunity to test and set up their Jaguars for the next championship event.
The star of the show during the lunch break was the opportunity to see a Jaguar XJR-15 out on track driven by its owner Andrew Maynard with parts specialist Julian Barratt in the passenger seat.
As the afternoon sessions commenced, the sunshine broke and the drivers were treated to a full afternoon of warm sunshine, dry track conditions and clear skies to allow them to get the very best from their Jaguars out on track.
When drivers weren't testing their mettle around the track, our partners and sponsors were on hand to offer advice to members on car detailing, getting the perfect apex, restoration advice and even where to go on holiday with their Jaguar!
Swallows Jaguar were out in force as the title sponsors of the event and arrived with a fleet of cars giving passenger rides to other drivers and visitors. See below for the video of a lap with JEC championship driver Tom Robinson at the wheel of the Swallows XK race car.
The Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club are looking to build on the success of this event for next year and would like to thank Swallows Jaguar for the demonstration laps and sponsorship of the event. Also equally to Drapers Tools for attending with a superb display of products, to Fiennes Restorations, Exquisite Car Care, Petrolheads Welcome, Castrol and Meguiars for attending and supporting this superb day.
View the full gallery of images
View the video of the XJR-15 at Castle Combe
Ride on board a lap of Castle Combe with Tom Robinson in the Swallows XK.
