Dear JCOH Member,
With the AGM behind us it is time to look ahead at new events and activities in 2006 and beyond. Like any club, a vital part of its “drive” is to attract not only new members, but also news officers. It brings the needed energy and new input, but also secure that the club doesn’t wear down its officers.
As you can read elsewhere in the Newsletter, our President will introduce you to some of the changes that has been made. Including what you’re reading at this moment -. the Newsletter.
When Patrick McLoad asked me about 3 years ago to volunteer - bringing a brand new definition of the word “volunteering” to my attention – to take over the Newsletter, it was with the purpose to revitalize the Newsletter as well as securing a regular distribution of news to the members. Furthermore Patrick needed to focus more on his duties as Concours Chairman, the largest single event the club undertakes every year.
When Patrick a couple of years ago was looking for a replacement to the Concours duties, he again approached me. I don’t know what his problem is, but apparently medication doesn’t work, or he doesn’t take it!. Those of you who knows Patrick, who never says no or refuse to help if asked, equally knows how difficult it is to “say no” to him too. So for the past couple of Concours events I have served as “site organizer” to learn the infrastructure of an event that on the surface may look like a small, and easy event, but in reality is the combined result of the hard work by all the devoted volunteers involved.
So when Patrick this year wanted to step down from his Concours duties as Chairman, I again found myself in his replacement position. Does someone know a good career consultant? Looks like I could need one!
As for Patrick he will still co-chair this years Concours before he is allowed to “retire” from the officer’s line of duty on the condition that we always can call upon him when needed. As most of you know, Patrick is one of our founding members, and probably the person who over the years has done most for the club and to keep it together.
However, before taking on the Concours challenges it was necessary to find a replacement for the Newsletter, and I am very pleased to announce that a relatively new member, Pat Phillips has agreed to take over the task of bringing y’all the news. After having been stuck with a poor Dane trying to learn the language, you will now be spoiled with genuine, proper English, as that’s Pat’s origin. Besides from his Jaguar enthusiasm, Pat brings along an impressing love affair with all sorts of British cars and racing, and will no doubt bring a lot of new life to the club and the Newsletter, and from this Newsletter on will be your new editor.
Welcome to Pat, and thank you to the members for the positive feed back I have enjoyed as yours truly.
Introduction
First of all let me introduce myself, I am Pat Phillips, Ebbe has passed the task of writing the news letter on to me while he concentrates on Concours events. I hail from Wales (North East of Texas) and my Jaguar is a 1974 Series 3 E-Type roadster; Kitty and this is she.
That picture was taken Last year at the Carlton Woods CC Concours event. I came first in my class, I think if anyone else had been in my class I would have been an awesome second and so on. The event for me was a terrific learning experience, I know I am late and many people have said this before but it was a great day with the nicest most helpful and friendly people.
We all love Jaguar cars and probably for quite different reasons, my heart is lost to the Infernal Combustion Engine and the thing we refer to as the “Under carriage”. By profession I am an Engineer, but I was born to be an Engineer. Believe me the E-type is as stunning underneath as it is from the sidewalk. So if I were to share a secret with you that my passion is to drive my car and find as many bends in the road as I can, you probably will not be surprised.
So continuing on this theme I decided to see what the Jaguar Car Club of Great Britain were doing and I was actually shocked when I read the note posted on their Website:
| “As of 31st January 2006, the Jaguar Car Club (of Great Britain) will formally cease operations. This means that services beyond this notice are no longer available from this website. The successful International Jaguar Spares Days will however be continuing, to be operated on a commercial basis by John Salway. All enquiries in connection with the International Jaguar Spares Days should be addressed to John Salway using the contact details below. To clarify, the JCC will no longer be organising these shows.”
— Jaguar Club of Great Britain |
Wow I am still stunned! On a somewhat ironic note the Jaguar Drivers club is not only going strong, it is going so well that it issues it’s own colour magazine! On their calendar they do race day’s, rallies in the countryside, tech sessions, cruises in the countryside and a host of others too numerous to mention. Interestingly they also collaborate with other car clubs on many events.
I understand Terese is canvassing your opinion at this point, what would you like to see happening in the club? Please support her efforts and give her your thoughts.
I think it’s obvious that the Jaguar Car Club of Great Britain did not fade away because of a lack of cars, more likely a lack of enthusiasm and engagement.
Gardening
I have prepared a topical item here in anticipation of the Hurricane season. A think tank of knowledgeable Boffins Back in the UK has come up with a hedge design wind tunnel tested at +200MPH
I think you will agree with me that the Brit’s have cracked
it again! |
|
 |
Preparation for Luckenbach.
We take this stuff soooo seriously! Anyway Dave Belanger offered to give a test run on how these things work and a few of us were up for it. A field of Four teams (minimum of two people to a team) assembled at Momentum Jaguar on the South West Freeway. After a couple of hours (which seemed like minutes) we were ready, champing at the bit, or some other metaphore that means we want to get on with it !!
We assembled, line astern at the south east corner of the property; often called the “Exit”. Dave counted us away with a minute in between cars………..
Over to Terese:
And….THEY’RE OFF……
Prior to the Luckenbach rally, a “rally school” was held January 24th. Dave Belanger, in an incredible morning session, familiarized everyone with the various types of rallies, what equipment was needed to ensure success (who would have thought investment in a rainbow of highlighters would be needed outside of the office!), how to manage time, speed and distance calculations (I personally am still winging those), checkpoint procedures and what to do if you’re lost.
And then we got to practice! Dave had laid out a course that would take us winding around Fort Bend County, beginning and ending at Momentum Jaguar. The group decided to break up into 4 cars, generously acceding to starting times. There were 2 jaguars, a corvette and a BMW SUV. To The Gate!!
Just picture it—the day is gorgeous, warm and sunny—we have the top down driving Pat’s Series 3 E-Type Roadster. All cars started off with the navigator keeping time, to begin a 10 mile odometer check. You had to follow Dave’s instructions to Highway 59—piece of cake. All 4 cars are laughing and having fun. We are going to kill them at Luckenbach.
Now the rally really starts. That darn Corvette is missing its mark and blocking our Jaguar. We maneuver to go around them, and THEY TAKE OFF! But its ok—they are in the wrong lane and are not paying attention to the TL! We TL, and so do the other cars. Unfortunately some of the cars didn’t realize that I had made a mistake until it was too late (TL means “turn light” and not “turn left”—letters now burned indelibly into all 8 of our minds! Rumor is, some wife will never, never, ever, ever, set foot/compass in a rally again).
To make a very pleasant long story short, we had a blast. There were cows on the road, rally cars going in the wrong direction, interesting turns and bumps (Pat scraped something on the bottom of his Jag—really wasn’t a lot of smoke or fire, but I swear that group of tow-trucks followed us like buzzards looking for their next meal—but we got home OK.
Alright, I did embellish a little bit, but we had a terrific amount of fun, and I can’t wait to do this again. I am so glad that the Houston group had such an impressive showing at Luckenbach. But, I hope we don’t need to wait another year. Anyone up for having one around Houston just for fun, just for us??
The 17th Annual Luckenbach Rally
The San Antonio Jaguar Club staged their 17th Annual Rally to Luckenbach On Saturday, January 21. Unlike recent years, which enjoyed beautiful weather, everyone was watching the sky, but despite chilly temperatures and gray clouds, the rain stayed away and all 33 cars departed on schedule at one minute intervals. JCOH members Tom Ostrowski, Dave Belanger, Chris Goldsmith, and Pat Phillips were in three of those cars, and captured two of the top three places.
A rough bunch if ever I saw one !!
The route left from a quaint country restaurant north of San Antonio and covered just over 97 miles to the Luckenbach Post Office and General Store.
The time was just under 3 hours if you were on course and on time.
Competition again was stiff, with only 58 seconds separating the top three cars. When the final scores were posted on the San Antonio web site on Sunday, the winners were:
1st Tom and Dani Ostrowski 1:11
THE Winner, Oh ! and her Dad !! (Practices in an Corvette and competes in a Mustang !)
2nd Tom Stuhldreher and Jon Weinkauf 1:43
3rd Dave Belanger and Cynthia Loveall 2:09
Pat and Chris didn't even come close to the Stray Cat award, which went to a team that missed/maxed every leg. Tom and Dani also took possession of the large traveling Blake Lambert Luckenbach trophy and will have their names added to the base. Plan now to attend next year, and let's see if we can't keep this in a Jaguar household for another year. It's a great way to spend a Saturday.
Editors Note: (falls back on old British ploy !) It’s not winning it’s taking part, that is all that really matters. Chris it was your fault !!
More rare than a Hen’s tooth but some of the members own jaguars!
For a list of all scores or more information on the rally, visit sajaguarclub.com.
President's Message
They say time flies when you're having fun. It must have been a good year, because it doesn't seem like it's been that long since I wrote my first President's Message, but it has. I think this year may go even faster, because your officers hope to offer you an even better assortment of social and driving activities to entice all of you to come out and have fun with your Jaguars and your friends.
The 17th Luckenbach rally is already history, along with the first JCOH rally school that was held on the preceding weekend at Momentum Jaguar. By the time you read this, Pat Phillips' Messina Hof II visit should be right around the corner, featuring a drive to the College Station area, a winery tour, and fine dining in Messina Hof's elegant restaurant.
After that, things really start to pick up speed, with an opportunity for one member to join me as a delegate at the JCNA AGM in Seattle, The Spring Fling Weekend, hosted by Austin and based in Fredericksburg, Keels and Wheels, and the JONAT (Jaguar Owners' North American Tour) tour passing thru Texas from Dallas to Beaumont. Fall brings Texas Concours season, with at least four shows in Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston.
But the biggest activity on our calendar doesn't occur until next year - the 2007 JCNA AGM that will be hosted by our club. Anyone who is interested in working on this project - and we collected a few volunteers already at our AGM - will start soon to work the details of hotels, meals, transportation, registration, and all of the other activities that have to happen when over 100 persons converge on Houston from all over the continent for a long weekend in March. It's a great opportunity to meet and work with your fellow members and also to meet the officials of JCNA. If you have any desire to get involved in either the local or North American organization, this is an excellent place to start.
So, don't sit around asking what your club is going to do this year; watch the various club communications and web site and start marking OUR activities on YOUR calendar.
The Texas Concours Season
I've used the term "Texas Concours Season" many times in discussing calendars and activities, but do you know what it means? Put simply, it means that JCOH members - and all Texans - have an enviable opportunity to attain national rankings without ever leaving our state. In 2005, there were 3t judged JCNA classes (21 champion, 12 Driven, and 4 special/modified). With 61 affiliated clubs, the average championship would be about one for every two clubs. In Texas, however, the five clubs produced six champions and four runners-up. I haven't seen a breakdown of the regional awards, but I know that at least one JCOH member has a south Central Regional Championship for his Series 1 1/2 2+2 E Type.
What does it take to win a "National Championship", or more correctly, a North American Championship? Under JCNA Concours rules, the annual championships are awarded to the three cars in each class with the highest average scores that have entered at least three JCNA sanctioned Concours.
Cars with more than three scores can drop the lowest ones, thus illustrating one of the advantages available to Texas competitors. Regional championships are awarded to cars within a JCNA region - in our case the South Central Region - that post the highest average score in two concours. Since the average concours has about 20-25 Jaguars in judged classes, the odds of bringing home a first or second place trophy are pretty good. Even the most heavily populated classes, such as the E-Types and XJS's have several divisions that help improve the odds.
If you think there's a bare spot on your mantle and you'd like to fill it with a Concours trophy, the first step is to assess the competition. Look at the Concours scores on JCNA.com to see how many others are competing with the same type of car and the scores their cars are receiving. Some models (e.g. the Mark 10) have only one competitor, while E-Types and XJS's have many. Once you have sized up the competition and decided how many of them are likely to show in your area, the next decision is to determine if you want to show in Driven or Championship (or Special) division. Many newcomers start in Driven, because they don't have to clean and detail their engine compartments or boots. The key thing to remember is that once you enter Championship class, that car may not drop down to Driven.
Once you're selected your class, the next step is to pick the show you want to enter. In Texas, this usually blocks about 7-8 weekends in the fall, In recent years, the shows have been held as follows:
Mid September - JOASW (Dallas)
Early October - SAJC (San Antonio)
Mid October - JCOA (Austin)
1st W/E November - JCOH
The JDCNT (Dallas #2) did not hold a sanctioned show in 2005, but their first Concours in 2004 was the first weekend of October on the grounds of the Texas State Fair.)
Most out-of-town entrants arrive on Friday, and cleaning often begins before the cars are officially positioned, usually around 8am. "Rags Down" occurs around noon, and judging commences. Some shows present awards immediately after judging concludes, while others maintain the suspense until the awards banquet in the evening.
Whether or not you come home with a trophy, you will have a work list if things a team of judges spotted that you can start working on as you get ready for your next outing. And, it's another great way to meet your fellow Texas Jaguar enthusiasts. Who knows, you may be calling me, as one of members did last week, and asking "Who is Kurt Rappold and why do I have a letter from him saying I have won a regional First Place award."
Vice Presidents News Topic
XF TYPE?
We have been teased and disappointed before. Is it possible that Jaguar has finally heard the pleas of many Jaguar Lovers? Could Jaguar have come to the conclusion that the best solution for its financial woes is the development of some exciting new cars. Maybe we will finally have a modern successor for our beloved E Type.
In the February edition of Automobile Magazine, a short article presents a proposed outline of future Jaguars. Included in the list of proposals is a model called the XF-Type Roadster. The description of this model states it to be a shorter, lighter derivative of the 2007 XK with unique exterior sheet metal and cabin. The possible engine is a turbocharged straight six. If Jaguar has the wisdom to build this car, let's hope they remember the core values of the Series I E Type - a beautiful car with world class performance at a value for dollar price.
In today's world, the car with the best fit for these core values is the C6 Corvette Z06 - 198 mph performance for $65,000.00. Of course, the Corvette contains some compromises (some may question the styling and the interior has too much plastic) but the performance is world class at an affordable price. Other target cars are the Porsche Boxster S/Porsche Cayman. The link between these cars and classic Porsches is obvious, and they provide exciting performance at a fair price. Ford has recent experience in recreating legends successfully with the Ford GT and the current Mustang - Let's hope they do it again for us.
