EVENT REPORT
ALL THE ‘CONVENTIONAL’ clubs (and for that matter, print media) are looking for ways to engage the younger generation in order to ensure their continued wellbeing.
Sunday April 2nd saw the second running of the Jaguar Enthusiast Club’s ‘Young Driver day’ initiative, held again at the increasingly impressive Bicester Heritage motoring hub. The event was aimed at 17 to 35 year olds, but one or two more senior individuals did sneak in under the radar.
Hosted by the JEC’s Oxfordshire region, many private owners and organisations donated their time and precious Jaguars in order that a new generation could experience the joys of Jaguar driving first-hand. A range of examples were available to sample in a safe and controlled environment - hopefully sparking the newcomers’ enthusiasm for the marque.
Those brave donors included the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, MD Matthew Davis bringing along their SVO Project 7 F-Type, aided by JDHT volunteer Dave in the XJR (X351) ‘Ring Taxi’. The ever supportive SNG Barratt, attended with CEO Julian Barratt in his personal ‘60th Anniversary’ commemorative F-Type V8 coupe, backed up by Peter Stant in the company’s well patinated, period racer XK120 roadster.
Swallows Independent Jaguar, supplied their ‘PalmerSport’ XKR (X150) trackday experience car, bravely driven down ‘on the road’ by Colin Porter (JEC TrackSport organiser), who reported a little curious attention by the boys in blue en route. Event organiser, Andy Webber arrived in the JEC’s less obvious Swallow modified XF (X250) Sportbrake. Customer Andrew Maynard also provided his extremely limited edition XKRS-GT.
CMC, Bridgnorth loaned an unusual manual transmission XJ6 Series
