JEC Racing - A short history
In June '98, the XK50 event was a tremendous success and a large number of XK's
were persuaded out on to the track. The strong view was 'Why can't we do this more often?'
To judge the level of interest a Trackday and Meeting was held at Castle Combe in
October &, with considerable interest being shown, a series of 8 races (the XK Challenge) was
run in 1999. The drivers and a
large number of JEC Member spectators attended venues as diverse as Silverstone, Croft, Co
Durham and Croix in France. This brought grids of 8-12 cars, which was quite encouraging for
the first year. Also in 1999, the JEC held a Sprint along Blackpool seafront, Hillclimb at
Northern Day, Harewood & Sprint at the Dragster Strip at Santa Pod, Nothants. Additionally 2
Trackdays were held at Mallory Park, Leicestershire where 180 JEC Members were professionally
coached and let loose on the circuit in their road cars.
For 2000 5 Race Series' were scheduled. These were E Type, XJS, XK, Saloon & Jaguar Powered Challenges.
JEC Highlights of the year included the 25th Anniversary of the XJS at Donington. The E Type
Challenge was the least subscribed but the other others went from strength to strength.
This continued throughout 2001-2006 & included better circuits, bigger grids
& some very special events. We were invited to run a race at Zandvoort in Holland as part of
the British Sports Car Festival. The E Type celebrations at Donington were a great success and
voted 'Race Meeting of the Year' by the racing fraternity. Additionally, a
large number of our cars regularly race at Spa, Monthlery, Angoulheme & Phoenix
Park. Some of our XKs also take part in Historic Le Mans so I think you can say
that by the end of 2006, Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club racing had arrived!!
2007 proved our best season ever with larger grids overall although the XKs
suffered from a number of clashing dates & the Powered by Jaguars from
conflicting championships. With the championship season over the icing on the
cake for many drivers was a fun team race at Brands Hatch, the Birkett
six-hour trophy race at Silverstone &, to cap it all, some drivers took
their cars to Daytona, USA for a terrific weekends' racing combined with a
holiday. All races were fiercely but fairly fought throughout the whole season
with the results going down to the last races. Congratulations to John
Lock (XJS Championship), Trevor Groom (XK Championship), Lawrence Coppock
(Powered by Jaguar (Championship) & Chris Boon (Saloons)
2008 is the 10th Anniversary of JEC Racing & promises to be an outstanding
year. Saloon & XJS grids continue to flourish with more new drivers joining
us. Continued sponsorship from Toyo Tires for the XJSs & an exciting
new sponsor, Jaguar Classic Parts, joins the Saloons. The XK Championship
will link with the Masters Cloth Car Series to run in longer (45 minute) races.
Masters Series run very successful historic racing in UK & Europe & is a
natural home for the XKs. The XKs will remain under JEC Control. Due to lower
numbers the 'Powered by Jaguar' cars will run with the CSCC as part of the
Sports vs Saloons races. This was trialled for a number of races in 2006 &
2007 & proved very successful.
We will also be running Trackdays at Brands Hatch (28th February), Goodwood for
XKs & E Types (15th April) & Mallory Park (date to be advised). JEC
Racing will have a stand at Stoneleigh on 14th-16th March at the Historic Racing
Car Show (Race Retro). As part of the XK 60th Anniversary there will be
celebrations at Cowdray Park & Goodwood on 8-10th August. These events,
coupled with around 55 races should be enought to please everyone.
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