Jaguar Racing: Thrills on Wheels

Thundering down into Lydden Hill’s turn one, called ‘Pilgrims’, I had become convinced that number 99 had gone wrong — the engine note was completely different, much louder and harsher. A few more races into the season and I soon learned that this was the thunderous sound that 20 plus Jags make when given the beans at the same time. It’s what I call a proper noise, especially when you’re right in the middle of it.

I hit the brakes for ‘Pilgrims’ — the never-ending right-hander.  I needed to turn in, but I couldn’t see the track — just other Jags in close quarters.  Eventually, I got around it only to then be hurtling towards Devil’s Elbow.

I had previously spun at this point during qualifying, so with that fresh in my mind, I tiptoed around Devil’s Elbow and then got back on the power to blast up hill to North Bend.  And despite its name, it’s not a bend — it’s a hairpin — a slow second gear corner. 

Accelerating hard out of North Bend I was convinced I had a whiff of over steer — I probably painted another set of elevens. What a hero I thought. Well, that’s how I remember it — in reality it was probably a missed apex and a fumbled exit.

If I’m honest, that’s about all I remember from my first race. I don’t tend to be able to recall lap by lap and apparently that’s normal — if you can remember the race, you’re not ‘on it’ and obviously, you need to be ‘on it’. 

I do recall that once the lights changed green and we were under way, the nerves cleared and I felt relaxed. Over time, that feeling of calmness as soon as the race starts has increased. However, anxiety prior to a race has also increased and I find the 30 minutes prior to a race unbearable, or maybe I am — one of the two. It’s when all the cars are lined up in the holding area waiting to go that I am at my most anxious. I could quite easily go home.  It’s at this point sometimes I wish I’d taken up something more relaxing like golf.

However, finishing and finishing well is a hard feeling to beat — the release of emotion as you cross the line is a real, genuine, rush and certainly worth every pang of anxiety you feel beforehand.

Racing Highlights

The current iteration of number 99 is quite different to the one I drove round Lydden in 2000 — it’s a bit of an animal. I enjoy driving it and it has certainly provided me with plenty of standout moments and several of those have crystallised in my memory.

The first time I went through ‘The Bomb Hole’ at Snetterton flat out was amazing — it’s here that the car goes light on the exit so trusting the machinery, you keep your foot down and eventually the tyres grip again on the exit and the track comes back to you — that is properly exciting!

Another favourite is racing at Brands Hatch, because it’s Brands Hatch of course. Paddock Hill before hitting the brakes for a blind entry, keeping the throttle pinned and all four wheels over the rumble strip on the exit – wow, what a thrill!

Being driven around Castle Combe in the class winner’s car, aka the Pope-mobile and waving to my family also feels fantastic – I felt like rock star.

The biggest draw of racing a Jaguar is the club and the competitors. It’s hard to sum it all up in a short article, but the fun, passion and camaraderie at Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Racing is tangible and has kept me coming back for more, while also keeping me away from playing a serene bit of golf…Now, that wouldn’t be half as much fun would it?

Join the JEC

If you’re interested in Jaguars and racing, or both, then take a look at our website and the different ###a href=”racing” class=”redactor-linkify-object”>http://www.jec.org.uk/events/3… events we have coming up. There’s lots of things you can get involved with as a member and it all starts with having a passion for Jag.

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