TRACKDAY NOVICE

TRACKDAY TENDERFOOT

We believe in actually using our classic Jaguars (at least, the editor does…). Flashing blue lights and speed cameras – plus a healthy sense of selfpreservation deter us from exploring the limits – there is an answer:

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: PETER SIMPSON

Driving in a dynamic fashion on public roads is a foolhardy pursuit. There are other vehicles, pedestrians and animals to consider let alone speed limits. Few have access to a private airfield, so is there be a safe environment for those who yearn to let loose, craving the invigorating freedom of speed in which to develop skills and understanding for the handling capabilities of their Jaguar?

You may have been aware of trackdays, assuming them to be the preserve of the seasoned track god, thus evoking feelings of inferiority sufficient to dissuade a potential participant through the risk of personal embarrassment. However, novicefriendly events do exist and this feature recounts the experience of not just a trackday novice but that of Emma, a 27-year-old female unaccustomed to most forms of intense driving beyond the daily commuting battle in her tiny Korean hatchback. Having said that Emma has always been captivated by racing so the concepts involved were not entirely alien and she had long-harboured a desire to learn the craftmanship of the track.

Luckily Emma has a father who owns Jaguars and was sufficiently malleable in the hands of his daughter to agree to loaning his precious XK8 convertible for this trackday session. In his defence, dad pointed out that her one-litre city car would provide its own learning opportunities but was quickly silenced by that indefinably persuasive ‘daughter look’. Thankfully though, this was no unrestricted track brawl,

It all starts here

No appointment necessary but attendance is compulsory

Noise testing - attempting to rev the engine as quietly as possible A ticket to ride

A useful reference tool!

but a carefully controlled occasion that, most importantly, included free professional instruction available before any dilletante needed to access the track for unaccompanied circuit driving.

The JEC TrackSport events comprise precisely the nurtured structure required to ensure the novitiate gains the optimum knowledge and enjoyment from the endeavour. The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club has long been involved in organising motorsport events and for 2022 devised a new initiative to broaden the field and make it accessible to a wider audience. JEC TrackSport was born, comprising trackdays, hill-climbs, sprints and navigational events to cater for every level of motorsport enthusiast, or indeed to make an enthusiast of those who may never previously have considered going out for a spirited drive in a controlled environment. You do not need to be a member of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club to take part, although discounts are applicable to those who are. All that is required to participate on a trackday is a driving licence, helmet (these can generally be hired on-site) and to have all limbs covered. Gloves are not necessary although favoured by many and light footwear is a bonus, so leave your work boots at home as they offer little in the way of feel on the pedals. Standard motor insurance policies will generally not cover trackday scrapes and, whilst not compulsory, there is peace of mind in taking out specialised cover for the event.

As for the vehicle, this may be a JEC Trackday but your car does not have to be a Jaguar and almost anything roadworthy from classic to modern will suffice. On this day there were E-types, Mk2s, XJ40s and many more. All modern examples were represented too, some race prepared and others totally standard daily drivers. There are sensible preparations to undertake before subjecting your car to the extra pressures of high-speed manoeuvres and these will be divulged in the next issue’s ‘Tech Topics’ - telling you all you need to know to minimise the risks.

This particular fixture in the calendar was at Wiltshire’s Castle Combe Motor Circuit, adapted in 1950 from the perimeter road of a former wartime pilot training airfield. The circuit was notoriously fast with lap records reaching 130 mph before two chicanes were added in 1998, amidst safety concerns, to reduce overall speeds. Today the circuit measures 1.85 miles and its sustained variety makes it the ideal venue to learn or practice your track craft.

The day commenced with signing on and vehicle noise testing. Most circuits impose strict sound limits to »

avoid complaining neighbours and for Castle Combe it is 100 decibels. Our XK8 has a mildly modified exhaust system (the popular deletion of the rear silencers) but it still only tested at 85db so was well within limits. There followed the opportunity to obtain a hearty breakfast in the on-site café before a mandatory safety briefing by resident ARDS Instructor Tim Nash. Tim’s upbeat presentation outlined the day’s timetable, offered sage advice and an explanation of track etiquette. To ensure the safety of all participants, driving standards are rigorously policed and this is vital to avoid shattering the confidence of the newcomer. Trackdays are most definitely not competitive racing events. You compete solely with yourself and not others. The most important safety regulation concerns overtaking, which is only permitted on a given side and only on the straights, with such manoeuvres being completed before the marked braking cones. This rule is to protect the novice who has enough to occupy them when negotiating corners than to be unsettled by the passing whoosh of a circuit king. Nevertheless, slower vehicles should defer to those approaching from behind when still within acceleration zones. It’s all common sense and encourages consideration for everyone involved.

Close formation for the safety briefing

CHOCKS AWAY

Following the briefing it was time to head on to the track for familiarisation laps which took the form of attendees driving in small, linear groups behind the course car following the recommended racing line at a gentle pace. It afforded participants the opportunity to note the positions of the various coloured cones explained at the briefing that indicate when to brake, turn and the location of apexes on corners. Novices were then given exclusive track time to settle in and digest a few laps taken at speeds they were comfortable with before the big boys were permitted on the track to conceivably cause any form of distraction. Hopefully, this recounting of the initial procedure to the day is reassuring to those of you who are considering a first trackday involvement. Bear in mind however, that if you were to book with another trackday provider, such a level of consideration for greenhorns may not be encountered. It is undoubtedly a feather in the cap of the JEC who are sensible to the needs of all abilities.

Familiarisation over and it was time to line up for the real thing with anticipation flowing liberally through the breeze. Those who were eager to launch from the pit lane lined up to enter their own personal fray. Those seeking guidance, like Emma, joined an adjacent line where the ARDS Instructors took each vehicle individually onto the track for tailored tuition. ARDS stands for Association of Racing Drivers Schools and the instructors are highly skilled in coaching drivers of all abilities. For this trackday there were two instructors on hand and Emma was partnered with a name familiar to readers of Classic Jaguar, none other than our editor Ray Ingman who is also the JEC’s tame ARDS Instructor. For the purposes of this account, we shall refer to him as “Racing Line Ray”. To call him “Racy Ray” would be to misinterpret his priorities…

Emma instantly warmed to Ray’s amiable disposition and gentle persuasion and, with the rear-view mirror tilted to the instructor’s line of vision, Emma received the comfort of being able to concentrate on her driving without undue distraction. She deftly displayed an instinctive feel for the racing line, although initial laps saw Ray lightly guiding the wheel to suggest the optimum position, as he nurtured Emma’s latent

abilities to instil increasing confidence with every turn of the circuit.

Something the JEC advise at these events is not to be out on track too long. This is counter-productive to both drivers and cars. Drivers can lose concentration and vehicle brakes can fade or become dangerously hot. It is recommended that 15-minute sessions are sufficient, allowing time to recompose, cool down and analyse the preceding laps. Obviously, it would be undesirable for all vehicles to be on track at the same time and Castle Combe Circuit limit track occupancy to a maximum of 12 cars at any one time. However, with the frequent rest periods no one need wait long before re-joining the action. This again is a plus point to consider when booking a track day. To be accompanied by an uninhibited number of vehicles would cramp everyone’s style and this JEC approved policy is an excellent precedent. There are cheaper trackdays available, but the circuit is likely to be busier and hence the experience frustrating.

A relaxed briefing - Emma and Ray could be discussing what’s on the lunch menu

After initial tuition and unaccompanied driving exposure, Ray had suggested that Emma took advantage of further instruction (after all it is available free of charge at JEC events) and she accomplished several more laps under his tutelage during the afternoon. Nonetheless, to be accompanied by an instructor is to be suspended in a bubble of serene control and it can be a very different matter on your own. Track time alone is very important as a means to learn from your errors of judgment and to absorb the positive qualities from observing others track users. Following a driver who is experienced and respectful is a valuable pursuit, even though »

All systems are go! X marks the novice. Newcomers can voluntarily place this marker on their vehicle to alert other drivers to their unfamiliarity with trackdays.

Front wheels quickly become discoloured by brake dust The variety on the circuit adds to the appeal of the day

they will soon leave you lagging far behind! Or you may catch another raw recruit who brakes too late or turns in too early and with your ringside seat can watch the ensuing struggle as they attempt to get back on line. The science behind the art of track driving is fascinating and addictive.

In between driving circuits many took to the spectators’ banking, which at Castle Combe provides close and unrestricted views of the action and an alternative perspective to scrutinise the accuracy of those following the racing line on track. In addition to the resting drivers, there were other spectators because the JEC open these events to their members as a social gathering, free to go along and enjoy the spectacle. It’s a lovely gesture on the Club’s part. Not only that but passenger rides were available in a selection of racetuned Jaguars courtesy of the JEC’s partnership with Swallows Racing, an Independent Jaguar Specialist with a division devoted to preparing customer cars for the track. In addition, these Trackdays are supported by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) who added considerably to the proceedings with vehicles from their collection that included the prototype Project 8, the former Nürburgring XJR ‘Ring Taxi’ and their TWR XJ-S European Touring Car Championship Winner, the latter undertaking several snarling hot laps to entertain the crowd during the lunchtime interlude. The JDHT attend these trackdays to exercise cars that are not road registered, others for testing and as an opportunity for their valued volunteers to gain track experience. It also promotes public awareness of the Trust and engenders much goodwill. All these ‘extras’ come as part of the JEC TrackSport events and at no charge to the attendee.

The chequered flag fell at 5pm, the track suddenly silent, which was more than could be said of Emma who was bursting with adrenaline-fuelled volubility on the drive home, reliving her endeavours of the day. The occasion had exceeded every expectation with the balance of instruction, personal track time and interaction with participants of varying abilities declared as ideal. And that’s the whole ethos of these trackdays, they are for everyone regardless of the prowess of the driver, including you, because there’s one out there with your name on it! ■

“...to be accompanied by an instructor is to be suspended in a bubble of serene control...”

Some cars defy the laws of physics and some don’t!

The JDHT’s chief technician Jock Howe drew the lucky straw to drive the TWR XJ-S