MALLORY PARK TRACK/TEST DAY 27th FEBRUARY

Despite the weather a number of Jaguar drivers braved the ellements at the first JEC track day of the year. Despite the slippery conditions, all but one returned home with their cars mostly intact!

The camera crew were there, and were most disappointed that car No.18 wasn't! Plan B was to interview Gail Hill the 2006 XJS Champion, and Andrew Jeffery with his Lister XJ6!

Strange place to park up and reflect on a good day exploring the challenges of the Mallory Park track!

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Pic1. Andrew Jeffery takes a break from filming to try out his Lister XJ6. Pic2. Always nice to see a Cobra on the track, not sure if its of the AC variety?

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The selection of Jaguars on track spanned several decades, and ranged from standard road cars to highly modified racing machines!

The ex Stuart Ulph XJ6 now campaigned most successfully by Dean Sewell, finishing 3rd in class A in 2006. The car lost a core plug with clouds of what looked like smoke pouring from the bonnet coming out of Gerrards. Fortunately it was an easy fix, and Dean was soon back on track!

Pic1. E Type No.55 Exits Devil's elbow closely followed by Chris Palmer's X300. Pic2. Sadly the only picture I have of Gail Hill's meticulously prepared class G car. This was the first outing for the V12 engine that was previously in the ill fated car written off at Brands Hatch 2005. A few teething problems mean that Gail will probably start the season in Class E and may use the Class G car for other racing exploits?

Pic1. James Ramm's Class E car in a new paint scheme. Pic2. Another new paint Scheme is Gail Hill's old Championship winning car now in the hands of rookie driver Roger Webster. Looks like Simon Seath may have had some paint left over from his recent colour change!

Several generations of big cats on the Kirkby Straight

Beautifully prepared XK120 in the Paddock, presumably destined for some action in the XK Championship this year?

PADDOCK GOSSIP.

CLASS WARS.

At the beginning of the day I was under the impression that Class D of the XJS Championship was looking very healthy for the new season, F was looking similar to last season, G was also looking good with only a couple of entries in E.

By the end of the day D & F hadn't changed, but E was looking much more promising with Paul Merrett having registered, and Graeme Reynolds, James Ramm, Gail Hill, Graham Silverton, Simon Currell, Dexter Dimblebee, and possibly David Ball all threatening to make an appearance! Colin Thatcher with his car last seen in flames at Lydden Hill in 2003 is considering returning to class E after a promising days testing.

The good news for Class G is that Derek Pearce has not sold his car, and will be going for the championship again in 2007. Steve Davis has also promised to make an appearance! Ray Ingman has registered for G but doesn't have a car at the moment? Will he use the old Classic Spares car if it hasn't sold by the start of the season??? David Weaver has registered for G but has apparently decided to quit! Stewert Lyddall has told me that he intends to do the complete season in G following successful testing towards the end of 2006, although he is yet to register!

On the face of it Class F looks likely to be similar to 2006 with the same drivers. Gordan Bobic looks favourite again if he can keep the car on the track. Both Paul Reynolds and Ralph Hosier are busy improving their cars, so who knows!

NEXT TRACK DAY.

There is another track day at Mallory Park on the 27th of March organised by the CSCC, there should be several Jaguars including No.18 there! Possibly there will also be a special track day organised by Jaguar cars at Silverstone on the 29th March. More details as soon as we have them.

MORE PICTURES FROM THE TRACK DAY WILL FOLLOW SOON