- VALENCIA CHARITY TRACK DAY 2012
- THE EVENT WAS HELD ON SATURDAY 15TH DECEMBER AT THE RACING CIRCUIT IN CHESTE, OVER 150 CLASSIC CAR OWNERS VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE PART
- COACH AFTER COACH ARRIVED BRINGING JUST OVER 500 CHILDREN TO THE TRACK, BRASS BANDS, POLICE AND FIRE SIRENS ALL ADDED TO THE ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE
17/12/2012.- For the last 10 years there has been a very special event in aid of physically and mentally handicapped children called the Jornadas de Copilotos de Educación Especial en el Circuito Ricardo Tormo. I am delighted to say I was invited to attend this fabulous and very worthwhile event by Antonio Marti, a member of the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, but also a member of the Club de Automóviles Antiguos de Valencia, a major sponsor of this event. The event was held on Saturday 15th December at the racing circuit in Cheste, over 150 classic car owners volunteered to take part. Coach after coach arrived bringing just over 500 children to the track, brass bands, police and fire sirens all added to the electric atmosphere.
After registration and a quick look round, cars of every type and shape formed a cue and slowly filtered into the pit lane. Corvette Stingrays, Ferrari’s, Porche’s, Mercedes, Caterhams, Bentley’s, Jaguars and many many more, all polished and gleaming. Slowly we inched down the pit lane, the odd driver not resisting the urge to “blip” the engine, big V8’s with their throaty grumble, the whine and buzz of tuned race engines, as we approached the “boarding” area the excitement on the children’s faces was obvious.
I opened the door and Jose was helped in, Jose was 16 years old and autistic, but it was clear from the start he was a true ”petrol head”. Securely strapped in, the ride begins. Sports mode, traction control off, pedal to the floor, the big 300bhp V8 in my jaguar XK8 responds immediately, down the pit lane, a steady left on to the track, accelerate, a hard left, tyres rumble on the turns apex rumble strip, sharp acceleration, a hard right, tyres squeal, accelerate, a right a left, a long straight, a left, another left, a few more corners then on to the home straight, accelerate hard, the spectators are a blur as we cross the start / finish grid, hard breaking for the left and another lap starts. At the end of the 4th lap we leave the track and join the pit lane cue again, Jose is dropped of to his carers and another young boy joins me for another 4 laps of adrenalin. Then change again, my last passenger was only about 12 years old but he loved the speed, “rápido, rápido” was his request, 4 more laps and the event was over, we were guided of the track and joined our colleagues and friends in the parking area. A chance to quench the thirst and let my breaks cool down, I could have cooked eggs on the wheels of my car.
Not only will I remember the thrill on the children’s faces but to be fair I will also remember the experience of taking my car on a thorough bred racing circuit, not often you get the chance to use a track for free and give pleasure to some people not as fortunate as you at the same time. I found my friends and we compared notes as the overworked mechanical components in our cars cooled down, then off to Restaurant La Carreta, just up the road from the circuit for a fabulous lunch. A steady drive home reflecting on the days events completed the day.
I will certainly be encouraging other members of the JEC in Spain to give up a little bit of their time next year to provide some less fortunate children the thrill of a life time. And if you have a classic car, why don’t you come along to the event next year, it is always around the same time so put it in your diaries.
The next meeting of the JEC in Spain will be held at Restaurant Los Almendros in Torrellano on the 27th January, why not come and join us. The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club is the largest of the worlds Jaguar Clubs, apart from the fun at the meetings, members also benefit from a 132 page monthly magazine, and a technical advice service second to none. Special insurance deals and approved service centres are also part of the benefits in Spain. The JEC in Spain is rganised by Eric Arnold who can be contacted by email jaguarspain@outlook.com or by phone on 609931647 or alternatively check out the JEC web site www.jec.org.uk or come along to our next meeting and have a chat, contact Eric by email to register your interest.
Text and photographs by: Eric Arnold
