JCNA Concours Objectives

Let me add that I have nary a problem with Jaguar owners who make performance and efficiency improvements on their cars for the sake of having a safe and reliable driving vehicle. With many owners, these cars are just as magnificent and pristine as any ômanufactured museum pieceö. If I had a 3.8 Liter E, I may be inclined to change out the gearbox, or, replace the inefficient radiator fan to one that actually pulls air through the radiator, or even swap the two Zenith-Strombergs to the 3 SU HD8s (popular with the S-2 crowd). But I would make these changes knowing full well that these items would cause problems in the Champ class concours. So be it.

I know plenty of folks who revert to original configuration for show, and then revert back to non-authentic for street. ThatÆs fine. But there are obviously two routes that an owner can take IF he wants to enter JCNA concours shows; Champ or Driven. (It goes without saying that a large majority of Jaguar owners choose neither). But you canÆt have your cake and eat it too. You canÆt knowingly change your vehicle for driving pleasure, but then whine that it doesnÆt meet Champ class specifications. Live with and be responsible for your decision(s).

Patrick McLoad

I find it necessary to respectfully take exception to a statement (or two) by John (above). He writes:

"Certainly no one would argue that preservation of
the marque is not an important part of JCNA. So, however
is the obligation to provide the widest range of services
and activities for its membership."

Since when is JCNA "obligated" to provide the "widest range of services and activities for its membership"? Is JCNA some sort of travel company or country club? Let's see...you contribution to JCNA amounts to a little less than 2 bucks a month, but for those bucks you expect service? Last I heard, JCNA is run mostly by dedicated volunteers who are trying their best to accommodate squeaky wheels like yourself who think the orgainzation is obligated to your every whim.

Rather than standing back and demanding service to suit oneÆs own personal benefit, the JCNA members I know are more interested in the welfare and growth of the organization, and the camaraderie of fellow Jaguar enthusiasts. And along the way, we have some fun with our cars.

Also, if Mr. Walker can make the statement

"...the only participants in concours must be those
whose main interest is in creating 'manufactured museum
pieces' is both short sighted and over restrictive..."

then I would say that John just doesnÆt get JCNA nor the spirit of our organization. It is clear he has no respect for those who have worked very hard to make their Jaguars the best they can be, and rather than go the distance himself, would do anything in his power to avoid Championship class...unless, of course, if its through the C-16 back door.

If you canÆt or donÆt want to compete in Champ class, then by all means, stay in Driven and make it the best driver you can. But donÆt criticize other membersÆ cars (and efforts) just because you canÆt attain that level. And if you have such an aversion to Champ class with its manuafactured museum pieces, then why are you trying so hard to bend the rules so that you can get in? Your car is clearly not a Special Interest car nor a Replica car as the class was intended for. It's just an E-Type with headers and a bunch of other non-authentic components. Nothing more; nothing less.

Patrick McLoad
1966 E-Type, Right-hand Drive Roadster
#1E1445, 2002 C5 National Champ
(manufactured museum piece)

I don't know if we have anything approaching a consensus, bit it seems the few responses are favoring dumping C16. Is there anyplace where the proper procedure for submitting a change to JCRC is outlined?

I've sent some suggestions to Dick, even put them together in the form of proposals, but I don't know if that's the correct way to do it or if I'm overburdening Dick who has to forward them elsewhere for consideration.

If that is the correct procedure, then I'd suggest that there be some kind of acknowledgement that it has been received and will be considered at the next meeting , discussed via e-mail, or whatever.

Mark Stephenson
Jaguar Club of Central Arizona

I would just as soon abolish Champ Class 16, as it serves more as a back-door for modified Driven Class vehicles to enter the Championship class, rather than for actual "special" cars as the provision was probably intended.

Butch up, make the corrections, and enter Champ class like everyone else, or just stay in Driven.

Patrick McLoad
1966 E-Type, Right-hand Drive Roadster
#1E1445

Dick:

I did not mean to be uncomplementarty to, or belittle the efforts of those volunteers that keep JCNA running. My intent was to point out that the goals of the JCNA Concours program appear to be solely directed to encouraging faithful restorations of the cars to the condition they were as they left the factory and that there appears to be little interest in broadening those goals. My words were not choosen to be uncomplementary or offend. If they were perceived as such I sincerely apologize to you and the JCNA governance.

I think the approach to a modified driven class was fully discussed in a previous thread I started earlier this year. Essentially it was proposed that it be a mirror image of class C16 but follow the closed bonnet and boot requirements of other Driven classes. Many argue that the class is essentially a cleaning contest and I would agree with them.

The first time I showed in C16 the judge asked for my exception sheet. I had one prepared, he read it and then informed me that he would not judge originality on those items on the sheet but would judge originality on everything else. I told him that I thought that was an improper interpretation of the rules and after some discussion he agreed that once the non-authenticy points threshhold had been reached no items could be judged for authenticity. Perhaps this judge had the right idea on how to judge modified classes. Have the participant make a list of nonauthentic items just as they do now and judge those items solely on cleanliness, execution, etc. Judge everything else as you would in any other championship or driven class.

Best Regards, John Walker

John:
You're free to characterize the mentality of the JCNA governance using any uncomplimentary terms you wish. However, have you by chance recently volunteered to serve as a Regional Director or on any JCNA committee as a counter to your observed "museum piece mentality" and the "status quo apologists"? I hear the pay is really good!

The concours participation records for the last 7 seasons (excluding 2000) reflect the following total numbers starting with 1995: 1346, 1225, 1449, 1409, 1271, 1438, 1404. It would be nice if the numbers were higher but I personally wouldn't call it declining and, were it not for 9/11, perhaps the 2002 numbers would have been higher.

None of these preliminary remarks are intended to diminish your proposal that there be more relaxed standards and additional classes for showing personalized and/or modifed Jaguars at JCNA Concours. I would sincerely be interested in your opinion as to how cars would qualify for these classes, what would distinguish them from similar models in existing classes and what criteria would be used to judge them? If they were to be judged only for condition and cleanliness, would that be adequate qualification for national and regional competition?

Thank you,
Dick Cavicke
Chairman, JCNA Judge's Concours Rules Committee

Dick: Looking at the JCNA website I see that the stated objective in About JCNA is:

"nncorporated in 1954, the Jaguar Clubs of North America (JCNA) has become the hub of Jaguar enthusiasts from Canada, Mexico, the United States and around the world. As a social organization with a common interest in the Jaguar marque, JCNA strives to provide members with the widest range of services and activities for those with an enthusiasm for all Jaguars, both old and new. We find that the entire family participates in many events because activities span a large cross section of interests.
JCNA is not just limited to competitions and shows. Many other activities that individual clubs have initiated range from exclusive showings of the latest Jaguar model to group vacations! Our members own from the rarest to the latest Jaguar cars, while some do not yet own a Jaguar at all! We welcome anyone with an interest in Jaguar cars to become part of our family."

And, from the bylaws: Article 1, Section 1

The objects and purposes of JCNA are to promote interest in motoring, foster and encourage a spirit of mutual interest and assistance in the acquisition and preservation of Jaguar automobiles among owners; to charter or otherwise enter into agreements with clubs or groups of Jaguar owners desiring to support the objectives and share in the benefits of the corporation by becoming a JCNA member group; to exchange recognition with other corporations, associations or groups in other countries having similar objects and purposes; to promote enhanced driving standards and to encourage skillful driving on the public highways; to promote interest in motoring activities, classes, exhibitions, publications and motor sports related to the marque; to authorize the purchase, rental and leasing of all kinds of property, real and mixed, for carrying out such activities insofar as permitted to non-profit corporations under the general laws of the State of Delaware.

After rereading the responses to my original proposal for a modified class in Driven it would appear that in reality JCNA has choosen to adopt a much narrower objective than is stated above. Instead of offering constructive comments and ideas most of those posts took great pains to justify the status quo.

About JCNA in part states: "JCNA strives to provide members with the widest range of services and activities for those with an enthusiasm for all Jaguars, both old and new." The Bylaws in part state: "The objects and purposes of JCNA are to promote interest in motoring, foster and encourage a spirit of mutual interest and assistance in the acquisition and preservation of Jaguar automobiles among owners;....to promote enhanced driving standards and to encourage skillful driving on the public highways; to promote interest in motoring activities, classes, exhibitions, publications and motor sports related to the marque"

Certainly no one would argue that preservation of the marqque is not an important part of JCNA. So, however is the obligation to provide the widest range of services and activities for its membership. Demanding that the only participants in concours must be those whose main interest is in creating "as manufactured museum pieces" is both short sighted and over restrictive and certainly fails to coincide with that obligation.

Look at the national standings for 2002. Class C16 was as well represented by those who attended at least three shows to qualify for national ranking as any other class, save one. That is certainly an indication that interest in showing modified vehicles exists and should be expanded.

JCNA can change with the times to meet the changing needs of its membership and grow or it can continue with the same museum piece mentality that has governed a declining concours participation rate over the past several years. Which course is adopted is pretty much up to the various committees within JCNA. I wold hope the members of those committees have the ability to embrace change when necessary and are able to resist the temptation to be apologists for the status quo.

As always, best regards,

John Walker