Out of some 150 Jaguars assembled in the parking lot of the Marriott, less than 20 signed up for the JCNA sanctioned Time Speed Distance Rally... A few others drove the rally route but yet again many owners didn't drive their cars which his a shame since the Rally organizers had put together a very nice route using mostly backroads and scenic drives like the Natchez Parkway.

After a quick briefing inside the hotel, we all went to our cars and lined up in the parking lot where each car left spaced out by exactly one minute. Detailed route instructions were given on the start line probably to make sure nobody would attempt to plot the course on a detailed maps.

The first section of the rally consisted of a 10-mile leg which would serve as an odometer check; at the end of the known distance you compare that with your odometer to know what correction you have to take into account. Easy except that 2 of 9 cars ahead of me missed a turn and ended up of course. Jim and Mimi Morton in the XJS would make it back on course, but with a uncalibrated odometer, and Ginger Corda with her 71 E-type would never made it back... DNF on her first rally.

At the 10-mile mark, we stopped to wait for the 25 minutes mark since that's how long we were given then we're off checking our speed to attempt to maintain the ( ridiculously low ) assigned speed. The JCNA format doesn't let you stretch your legs since you do not know where the check points are and the mileage to get there forcing you to hold the assigned speeds... Going 30mph on a backroad that would be fun at 50mph is a real painful experience.

Ten miles into the first leg, we struck gold as our road is blocked off by road constructions and we are forced to wait about 5 minutes. That means one thing... when the bulldozer moves out of the way, we have to make up the time, and quickly... Of course in my rush I fell for a tricky instruction and took a turn too early, ending up off course by 2 or 3 miles. Quick turn around, and I rejoined the route right behind a few other cars. No way to pass so I just followed.

The instructions took us on scenic Natchez Parkway where we encountered a first hidden checkpoint. Because none of the three cars ahead of me stopped, I figured that maybe the CP workers are just supposed to get our car numbers and write the time so we continued on. Big mistake of course as if we had stopped, they would have given us additional instructions to turn around. The next instruction was to exit the parkway at the first exit but then the Stop sign on the next instruction never materialized. After 15 miles, I finally decided to turn around... the others had done so before... I wasn't the only one who messed this up as I saw a few lost cats along the way and I ended up at a gas station with Jim Morton and Gary Hagopian trying to figure out what had happened. It then became clear that I should have stopped when Sue Hagopian suddenly realized that on top of her leg 2 time sheet, it clearly stated to take a right out of the checkpoint, therefore making a U-turn.

The best part of the rally actually started when Gary took off in his race prepared silver coupe and I started following him... this was the first time I had to work hard trying to keep up with someone. After a relatively slow drive back on the Parkway, where the 40 mph speed limit is known to be strictly enforced, and for me a quick stop at the checkpoint, we then got on some narrow, twisty back roads which were a blast to drive. Gary is an experienced racer and his E-type is very special... and very fast. The next 30 miles went by very quickly since he had to make up the time he lost. I didn't have any time to make up, and probably drove that leg in half the assigned time but it was well worth it.

The final leg would turn out uneventful as we took it easy and drove at the assigned speed to reach the finish line just outside Franklin. Total mileage should have been about 70 miles but my odometer showed 105 at the end. At least I finished.

Rallying can be great fun because it usually takes you on scenic drives and some nice roads you might not find otherwise. It is a competition but it doesn't have to be taken seriously and if you blow a leg, well, so be it. Getting there is 90% of the fun! Unfortunately, it seems that many drivers are missing that opportunity and most clubs are having a hard time getting enough cars to sign up to make it even worth it. The 20 or so cars which started this event represent only 15% of the numbers of Jaguars attending the festival. Earlier this year, the South Carolina club canceled its rally which was supposed to take place the day after their concours because of lack interest as apparently only 3 cars had registered out of 40 or 50 in the concours.

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About the author - Pascal Gademer is the webmaster and newsletter editor of the South Florida Jaguar Club. Owner of a restored and upgraded (for reliability and performance) 1972 series 3 E-type 2+2, he doesn't miss an opportunity to drive his E-type to various events (concours, rallies,..) often regardless of distances. His daily driver his another Silver Coupe, a 2000 XKR.

Posted: 7/2001