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They came from miles around, from all corners of New South Wales, Coventry's finest rolled into Sydney for the XJC City to Surf. Sydney put on a beautiful, warm sunny winters morning for the contestants in this run from the city out to Watsons Bay. Not only did nine XJC's roll up for the event, but we also had a good sprinkling of other Daimler and Jaguar XJ 's, XJS 's, Mark II 's and a several E-types, plus an XJR. We even had an MGB, a 4WD and a Toyota Corolla in this multi-cultural field. |
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Jaguars line up outside Jagcare prior to the start of the City to Surf Run 2001 |
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The XJC owners did the register proud with coupes arriving from as far away as Armidale and Tascott. On view were 5 x Jaguar 4.2C's, 2 x Jaguar 5.3C's, 1 x Daimler Sovereign coupe and 1 x Daimler Double Six coupe. All the owners were eager to exchange 'xjc-info' with each other and check out each others workshop inspection report cards ! |
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Prior to the run, the XJC's were given a free inspection and written report by Dennis Simmons in his Jagcare workshop. In turn, each XJC went up on the hoist for Dennis to check them over. He was happy to report that most were in pretty good order for the age of the cars. One thing we did notice, was that all but one coupe had a big dent in one of the mufflers! |
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How do you feel about 20 blokes looking up your backside |
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Whilst most of the guys peered under the coupes to give their two cents worth to the owners ! the ladies were happy to sit around drinking tea and coffee and dunking biscuits that were provided on the day. After Dennis had very kindly given each coupe the all clear, the register secretary was then seen running around like a head-less chicken, trying to get all the cars lined up for the start ! It was a slow start due to a lane closure on South Dowling Street, but all the Jaguars...and their owners., kept their temperatures as they idled in the Sydney traffic. |
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The cavalcade of 28 Jaguars and a few ring-ins drew lots of admiring glances as they made their way through Darlinghurst, Paddington, Rushcutters Bay, Edgecliff, Double Bay, Bellevue Hill, Vaucluse and finally Watsons Bay. The Naval base of HMAS Watson was under attack from Coventry, as twenty eight of the states finest Jaguars and Daimlers poured through the Defence Department gates 8>) |
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XJC 's were lined up left and right ! |
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Commander Ralph MacDonald of HMAS Watson was there to meet us on the oval. The oval, which sat high on South Head, gave majestic views back down the harbour to the city centre of Sydney. It was about this time that black clouds appeared on the horizon as a warning of what was coming later in the day. Another black cloud formed over one of the BBQ 's, causing it to break down on start up. To the rescue came my wife Sawai, who somehow cooked steak, sausages and chops for seventy people in next to no time at all. There was not even a burnt snag to throw to the seagulls ! |
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Some sat on the veranda, some sat on the grass, some sat in chairs but they all enjoyed the panoramic view of Sydney as they enjoyed their Boree-Log lunch. Gary Hearn, Ric Andrews and Penny Stratton grabbed the best table in the house, when they set up shop on a near-by manhole cover ! |
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Penny, Ric Andrews and Gary Hearn 'doing lunch'... this picture proves that the XJC register secretary does accept money in return for the best seat in the house! |
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Commander Ralph helped out serving the drinks so he could get to meet everybody personally. Ralph said to me later " you can bring this Jaguar crowd here again…I've made $10 in tips so far !" Obviously some people had not read my ad for the event, letting everyone know that Ralph was one of the Commanders at HMAS Watson ! As well as the beer and soft drinks, Ralph told me that we went through nine cases of red wine ! Maybe they were topping their coolant levels up ! |
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Rumours that the XJC register secretary kicked a glass of red wine over, filling a ladies shoe with red wine, are completely and utterly…. er true… sorry about that madam. After much drinking of ale, story telling, and the compulsory tyre kicking, the hastening rain and threats of hail brought about the end of what was a great day. It was a case of quick farewells as we dashed to our cars for the long drive home. |
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Special thanks for a great day go to Dennis Simmons from Jagcare, who was so generous with time and spirit. Many thanks also to RAN Commander Ralph MacDonald for letting 28 Jaguars drive all over govt property. I must also thank my wife Sawai for cooking up a storm at a time of crisis. Finally my heart-felt thanks to all of you who came to the event, you all contributed to what was a special day for me, and I hope for you XJC enthusiasts too. |
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Hopefully we can do it all again next year! |
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