Six drivers took the opportunity to put their cats on the track and find out what real high performance driving is all about. It proved to be quite a learning experience and something they can't wait to do again.

The day started with a brief classroom session for the folks signed up for the high speed touring. There were 27 of us total; some with previous experience and some "rookies". The instructor, Mike Stephens, explained driving "the line" on the track and apexing corners. Basically it comes down to making a curvy road as straight as possible and on a race track you can use the WHOLE track since there is no yellow line down the middle and everyone is traveling in the same directions. We learned about the different color flags and what they mean to the driver. We were also instructed on the "penalty box" where you have to stop and talk to the chief steward about a mistake you made on the track like spinning off or getting all four wheels off the track.

After the classroom we get in our cars and an nstructor rides along to show you where to drive on the course to make the fastest time; driving "the line". Since this is not a race, no passing is allowed in the curves but you can pass on the straight-a-ways. This gets real interesting as you gain confidence.

Now we are ready for our first 15 minute session on track. All 27 cars line up on the grid and wait to be sent onto the track by the starter. There are all kinds of cars. Two or three BMW's, several Miatia's, a couple of Cobras, a Viper, a Nissan NSX, a Volvo station wagon a Porsche and of course our Jaguars. The cars are started a few seconds apart but it does not take long for some more powerful cars or more experienced drivers to bunch up. The first time 3 or 4 cars come roaring up behind you it is a scary thing but, then they go by and you realize, hey, this is fun! Now you are starting to feel a little more confident and you go a little faster but be careful, this is where you can get into trouble. I was headed down the front straight when the Nissan NSX flashed by me. I rounded the curve about 2 seconds behind to see him spinning through the grass and hitting the tire wall with a thump. Now, that tire wall is a good 60 feet from the edge of the track but he managed to lose control, slide off into the grass and spin several times before stopping against the wall. Greg Timo happened to be watching when this took place and he said the driver sat there for a minute or two (probably in shock!) and then got out and looked at his car. No damage to the car, just a few black marks from the tires. However, the damage to the drivers overconfidence was significant and he learned a valuable lesson about speed and handling. This was not the only "spinner" as quite a few drivers learned the limits of their skill. Mike Waldron took his Mk 1 for a pretty good spin through the grass. Linda Young managed a four wheel drift all the way off the side of the curve and into the grass. Stan Lackey got 2 wheels off sides a few times. But the amazing thing is what you learned by these experiences. Your mistakes were quickly apparent but in this safe environment you could practice until you got it right. You can't do that on the street where a miss calculation can be costly.

Fifteen minutes does not sound like much time, that is 7 or 8 laps around the circuit, but after our third session we were all starting to feel tired. This requires concentration and strength. Can you imagine driving in excess of 180 mph for 2 or more hours? Anyone who thinks race car drivers are not athletes obviously has no clue about what real conditioning is.

Lunch time was sure welcome and Mike and Connie Stephens had catered a nice buffet of sandwiches, veggies, dips and other goodies for the Jaguar club members on the 3rd floor of the timing and scoring building. By this time Larry West had arrived and then Sue Neil, Jim McGowan with a few of their friends stopped by on their way home from Stillwater where they had participated in a run. We also saw Lester Nidell who drove out to the track in his Alfa Julia to see his son racing.

We plan to have another HPDE day in October. This will be a great opportunity for you to learn a lot about the capabilities of your Jaguar and improve your driving skills. If you have a young, inexperienced driver in the family this is a perfect place to let them learn some very important things about driving in their own car. In the meantime ask one of the participants in this first HPDE event how they liked it. You probably will have a hard time getting them to shut up!

Linda Young and her X-type


Mike Stone and his XJ40


Mike Waldron and his Mark I


Nichole Timo with Scott Young's Grey Ghost


The ghostly leaper on the side gives the Grey Ghost its name...




Mike Waldron's Mark I in action