FROM THE JEC CLUBHOUSE

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE - ENCOURAGING THE NEXT GENERATION

New initiatives put in place – and positivity abounds!

The historic vehicle community has a bright future ahead of it. Despite the recent headline grabbing hysterics of climate extremists, the celebration of transport heritage has never been more popular. Emerging technologies around fuels, the development of heritage skills apprenticeships and the drive towards a ‘make do and mend’ lifestyle over consumption all give us much to be positive about.

Indeed, many of those in power, who create the legislation that shapes our roads, also feel there is a place for transport heritage on the roads of tomorrow. This is clear to be seen from the exemptions on ULEZ zones for historic vehicles and the securing of supplies of E5 on forecourts. These are all indicative of the power and influence we still have as a sector, via the clubs and our lobbying bodies like the FBHVC. Not to mention the fact that we contribute over £7.3 billion to the UK economy, despite covering a mere 1,200 miles a year on average. That figure, by the way, is less than a quarter of one percent of the total miles travelled on the UK’s roads, meaning our impact on carbon output is immeasurably tiny. It’s insignificant even before all the current initiatives to offset carbon emissions by planting trees with the FBHVC and Tree-V and develop net zero fuels for example.

On the NEC Classic Motor Show’s Live Stage, during the panel session on the future of classic car clubs, the big question put to me was: What did I feel was the biggest threat to clubs in the future? The honest answer was our ability to evolve, to adapt to the changing needs of new generations of classic car owners, to offer them value and most importantly – encourage young people to engage with the hobby and its community. That’s the real challenge that faces the movement for the immediate future.

Luckily the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club is forward thinking in this respect and have already formed a Young Enthusiasts’ division of the club, for young people, run by young people. Then recently, came the next step, as the JEC launched a new insurance offering that offers true membership benefits for everyone in the club, but especially young Jag fans. That new scheme is called ‘Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Insurance’ and it has been developed by Jaguar enthusiasts for Jaguar enthusiasts in partnership with Peter James and gives members access to a range of benefits that you they are unable to find elsewhere.

Peter James Insurance are well known for their provision of specialist classic and vintage vehicle insurance and have been at the heart of the historic vehicle community for many years. Peter James also understands how crucial it is for organisations, like ours, to ensure we are well funded through commercial partnerships to ensure we can invest in club activities on the one hand, and on the other, are continuing to offer exclusive membership benefits to add value to the annual subscription.

The insurance benefits now include member to member cover, laid up cover, self-repair options, multi-vehicle with the daily driver and favourable premiums. But it offers all this, whilst also providing insurance solutions for younger club members – either as Jaguar owners, or as additional drivers on their parents’ vehicle, plus cover for club organised track days as part of the JEC TrackSport programme.

As the largest Jaguar club in the world, the JEC is committed to enhancing Jaguar ownership for its members. A key benefit, especially in the current climate, is also enabling members to keep costs of ownership as low as possible both on and off the road without comprising on the quality of service – including insurance.

Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club Insurance was officially launched at the NEC Classic Motor Show, with a talk by Richard West on the success of TWR Jaguar, presented next to the 1988 Le Mans winning XJR-9, in the 40th anniversary year of Group C. Then followed the opportunity to gather over a glass of fizz and hear from the scheme manager Dave Youngs about the bright new future we are building for members of all ages here at the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club.

Come and join in the fun via www.jec.org.uk where you can also read more about Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Insurance. ■

Castle Combe Circuit - 25th April Harewood Hill Climb - 8th JuLY BLYTON PARK CIRCUIT - 3RD AUGUST THRUXTON CIRCUIT - SEPT / October TBC