Congratulations to the Chairman and the Jaguar Clubs Rules Committee.

The successful passage of the new concurs classifications should certainly do much to lessen the competition in several classes, reduce participation, reduce attendance and make it considerably easier for those fewer cars remaining to win National Points.

As for those cars that are now excluded from the ôPurity Classesö and been relegated to an obscure ôNonentityö class, take heart, for some dark clouds do have a silver lining.

I took an hour or so, did a bit of calculating of the expenses for going to the average concours. Figure each concours will take three days, first day driving, maybe 250 miles (at 15 mpg x $150 per gallon equals approx $25.00 fuel expense), two meals (at $6.50each equals $13.00)) for two ($13.00 x 2 equals $26.00, tips not included) and a hotel room for two ($65.00) for a conservative total of $116.00 for the day. Second day at the concours, full registration of $150.00 (not including any added activities or goodies), breakfast for two at $7.95, ($7.95 x 2 equals $15.90), lunch for two at $7.95 ($7.95 x 2 equals $15.90) ($15.90 x 2 equals $31.80 for the day, again tips not included) for a conservative total of $181.80 for the day. For the return trip home, again, itÆs two meals for two for a total of $ 26.00 (tips not included) and a fuel expense of another $25.00, for a dayÆs total of $51.00. Now a most conservative total for this three day/two night weekend is $348.80. In 2003 I attended at least six concours, (three were five day/four night trips, but letÆs keep it simple) so (6 concours x $348.80) for a very conservative grand total of $2,092.80.

For $2,092.80 I could have up graded and completely re-built my cars air conditioning system and completed the interior re-do. Perhaps they are trying to tell us that, the owners of cars not quite ôPureö enough might do better to just stay home and spend the money on their cars. As for the ôsilver liningö, there is an ever growing number of ôAll Britishö car shows all across the US that welcome and appreciate any British Marque Car
even if their outward appearance is a bit different. Think about it.

As always, good motoring,

Don Wright

Submitted by allgau@att.net on Sat, 03/20/2004 - 16:33

Stuart,

After you log on go to "Concours", then scroll down till you find the heading for the rules and classifications.

Good motoring,

Don

Submitted by stuross41@eart… on Wed, 03/17/2004 - 15:49

1974 XKE OTS
2000 S-Type V8

Where and when can we find the new classifications and explaination of the rules changes? While I appreciate the concours tradition and I know that preserving these cars in pristine condition is worthwhile, I feel that it has become a rather extreme form of obsessive-compulsive behavior (and expensive, as well). The amount of attention to detail and the work it takes to maintain a car that was meant to be driven, rather than to be preserved as an objet d'art (did I get that French phrase correct?)I feel takes away something from the enjoyment of these cars - driving them. I maintain my E-type (and my other older British cars) in good cosmetic and mechanical shape, but I love to drive them and I don't mind a bit of grease or oil here and there. That's what happens when you drive them. If I had a 95+ point cars, I certainly wouldn't be happy with anything that would reduce my score by the smallest fraction. I think we need to de-emphasize the concours perfection attitude and re-emphasize the driving and use of the cars.People love to see them on the highways more than on the show field. I have my share of trophies and awards, but my greatest pleasure comes when I am behind the wheel.