July 2026 | Issue 792 | Page(s) 3 | Gaynor Cauter
Assuming your magazine has arrived on time, it’s just 10 days to go until the big event and if you need me to tell you that it’s our 70thanniversary at Brooklands, you must have been taking a trip on one of Elon’s rockets.
It has been a huge logistical operation and all credit to Tony Merrygold for walking straight into the Chairmanship and Brooklands more or less at once – it’s been a real test of all our organisational skills, not least his. All we can do now is hope it goes well and that everyone enjoys it. Rob Hawkins of Rob’s Workshop fame will be joining us on Sunday, so if you have a technical problem you would like to discuss with him, you will find him next to the main JDC gazebo. And, incidentally, there are still a few spaces left in the two concours on Sunday 12 July so if you fancy your chances, see the QR code on the Brooklands pages or drop Gareth Jones a line now at gareth.jones@jaguardriver.co.uk.
With the bookings in and the dinner sorted for Brooklands, we turn our attention to the next big event on the calendar and that’s the JDHT’s first foray to Oulton Park for their Cheshire Cats Jaguar Day on Saturday 8 August. You can book your Club ticket on the website at www.jaguardriver.co.uk/events but do let me know that you’re coming so that we can plan our display. Steve Hawke, Chris Gorvin (one of our three new Directors) and I paid Oulton a site visit last month and for Steve and me, it was a first to this very impressive circuit.
The event area is huge and I’m told that in addition to the club displays, there will be a JLR hospitality unit, a live stage with some headline interviews, and as many JDHT cars as the Trust can muster, including a very special five-car display that is currently under wraps. There will be racing all day plus at least one parade lap for members to take to the track at the end of the day.
There is plenty of food and drink, lots to see and do, and the only thing we can’t promise is sunshine… it’s 31° and climbing here in Herefordshire this morning so if I can bottle a bit of it and share it out between Brooklands and Oulton Park, I will. If you’ve never been to Oulton Park, you’re in for a treat – it’s a wonderful track, set in beautiful countryside, and we all want to support the JDHT in this new venture.
Meanwhile, the JDC roadshow is hoping to be at Shelsley Walsh the weekend after Brooklands on 18-19 July for Classic Nostalgia so, if you fancy joining us on either day, go to the Events page at www.jaguardriver.co.uk where you will find the Club booking code. And don’t forget to let me know that you’re coming.
You will find all events listed in the Calendar at the back of the magazine (with a separate panel for the JBC). We will be supporting one of Nigel Webb’s two Open Days on 1 and 2 August, and if you have a Mk 1 in particular, he would love to see you on the Saturday – email letitia@xclusivelyjaguar.org for details.
Finally, we now have our’ discount code for the November show at the NEC so why not book now – the code is CCJGDRIVN6. See you at Brooklands everyone!
Gaynor
