October 2025 | Issue 783 | Page(s) 3 | Gaynor Cauter
I think the word ‘busy’ should be next to be added to Collins’ annual list of most used words in the English language, certainly where Jaguar Drivers’ Club members are concerned. What I find exciting is that it’s not just us – the organisers at national level – who are busy, but every one of our members, not only in the UK but in Europe too. Our Swiss members and our two Austrian Areas seem to have spent most of the summer out on the road. You only have to look at the Out & About pages – originally created to accommodate the occasional tour or long weekend – to realise just how much our Areas have been getting up to this year. Attendance at our events is strong – a sign of a happy, healthy club – and it’s down to you, our members. Long may it continue.
I am very proud to have been involved with the JDC for the 40-odd years I’ve been a member and an official in a variety of roles, and I am so looking forward to next year when we celebrate 70 years of our great club. Hopefully, you will all know by now that we are going to Brooklands on the weekend of 11-12 July and, behind the scenes, we are already working hard to make it the most memorable National Weekend ever. With that in mind, we are inviting all our fellow Jaguar and Daimler clubs, the JDHT of course, JLR Classic and representatives of JLR itself. However, there’s no point in pushing the boat out on such a special occasion unless we have our members there to enjoy it – you are the JDC and without you, there’s no show. So put the dates in your diaries today – 11 and 12 July – and please aim to keep them free of other events because we want every one of you there to help us celebrate.
By the time you read this, the final judging for this year’s Champion of Champions will have taken place in the Jaguar Collections Centre at Gaydon but you can find out who is competing in Gareth Jones’ National Day concours report, where you will also discover the winner of the new Riwax Trophy. The contest was very well subscribed, with one overall winner and two runners-up taking away some excellent prizes. This new contest is designed to encourage members who would like to show their cars but who don’t fancy getting involved in the rigours of full-blown concours. It’s more of a show-and-shine… and that’s just what the cars did, splendidly.
Steve Hawke and I will be in Anglesey at the beautiful Trac Môn circuit on Sunday 5 October for the final round of the 4-Hills & Sprint Championship, joined I hope by members of Area 47, and then it’s off to Stoneleigh on 19 October for the last Spares Day of the year. We have invited the Jaguar Breakfast Club to join us for what should be a very sociable, as well as practical parts-hunting day out. The café opens early and you can buy your £10 admission ticket online at www.jaguarsparesdays.co.uk or through the JDC website events section. The dedicated Spares Day website has been given a complete facelift and you should find it very easy to use. You will also find your discount code for the Lancaster Classic Motor Show at the NEC here in the magazine, so don’t forget to book – we’re back in Hall 1 again this year with another exciting display of cars, including one very famous Goodwood star… and it’s driver! For all the remaining dates for this year, including the last two Breakfast Club meetings of 2025 (now confirmed for Gaydon), see the Calendar at the back of the magazine.
And finally, we have restocked the online shop for Christmas so get your merchandise orders in early to avoid disappointment. Last posting date will be Friday 12 December!
Gaynor
