Well, last weekend was the JCNA Carolina Jaguar Club Concours de Elegance event in Little Switzerland NC. Where to begin!!!! Lol
All week we watched the weather report and as it drew closer it was obvious there was an issue with rain. Now keep in mind, there's never been a rained out event, only a quick shower from time to tome over the years. But this time with 100% chance of rain, this was going to be a challenge. As I was told, bring my Bolly and wellies, and carry on!!
Friday, as I pulled my immaculate XK8 out of the garage to find dreary skies, within 5 minutes my low coolant light came on. UGH!! Back to the house to let cool and top off. (Damn those red hoses) back on the road I settled in for a 1 and 1/2 hour drive up the mountains!! Usually a stunning and exciting drive on Snake road. This time, drizzle and mud. Deep sigh.
On arrival at the venue, I registered an was amazed how many people still showed up! Only about 14 out of 49 entries canceled due to weather. They informed us that at this point, the event would be moved to the parking lot beside the Inn instead of the amazing lawn overlooking the blue ridge mountains. Bummer but wise decision. Rain + slopped lawn = muddy mess!
We all met for cocktail party (very necessary at this point) then an awesome dinner of assorted fresh seafood buffet and beef, with all the sides!! Waddle to bed.
We awoke to literal 0 visibility!! Yes, the clouds had settled right on our event. Although reminding me of the moores in American Warewolf in London, and kind of funny, it created a challenge for judging, along with a steady soft rain. Once we all agreed washing stations were pointless, the judges had a GENIUS idea to use the Porte Cochere in front of the Inn to drive each car under for judging!! Drive-through judging. Now that has to be a first!! But it went well!! And actually created a fun spectator location. There was a long landing above the drive that people could stand and watch each car and they had a great birds eye view!!
Then it was time to rest (and dry out) before the next cocktail party (again, very needed) before another mind blowing buffet of Beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin, assorted chicken and fish, every fresh side imaginable, and deserts before the awards were given out.
Now in my category, there were 5 entries. One canceled, and the former 4 time winner, a banana yellow stunning XKE had the unfortunate starting issue and couldn't be driven to the field so it was disqualified. I had another great XKE and an XJS competing against me.
When my car was called, I drove in and they first did the mechanical judging, lights, horn and such. And of course, I had a fog light out!! WHAT?!?!?! Nothing I did would get results. They continued judging and were obviously pleased with everything else. When I opened the bonnet, there was literally a gasp from the spectators! I guess my crazy Union Jack panels, and other fun engine bay details were a hit!! And the jaguar logo puddle lights I installed in the doors had them mesmerized!! (I thought they would hate them, but I had to show everyone where to get them!! Lol.) then as I pulled out, I gave a little rev and my partner said the crowd literally applauded. And he heard several say it sounded awesome! The head judge said I had 15 minutes to get fog to work and I rushed around begging to borrow a bulb. No luck. So I went out in the rain, pulled the liner cap and fiddled with everything. Just as I was giving up, bam! It cam on!! I drove back around, had to drag a judge from his lunch, and. Got my two points back! (He told me before I left judging, two points would cost me even placing.)
Back to the awards banquet. The first division was mine. Special3. The second place was awarded to the XKE and I assumed the XJS would win. Then my car popped up on the screen and I took First!
It was a fun weekend, and I can only imagine how it would have been With Beautiful weather. I was there last year as a spectator and it was beautiful but this is a show I won't soon forget!!

 

Phil,
Congratulations! Well deserved, beautiful car.

 

Congratulations Phil!

I was just wondering what had happened with this.

 

Congratulations Phil, looks like all the hard work, time and patience paid off.

As they say though, you're only as good as your last time out, now you have to do it all again.

 

Nice work Phil......all that attention to detail paid off!!!!

 

Congrats Phil - well done and well deserved. I saw the Carolina Jag Club post picsof the weather on FB the day of the show - pretty gloomy day weather-wise but glad it had a great outcome for you.

 

Congratulations Phil - well done ! I suspect it was the Metallic Black Walnut color that clinched it for you. Had you gone with Black Metallic Walnut, Walnut Black Metallic, or Black Walnut Metallic, you would probably only have made 2nd place, so all that agonising was obviously worth it
.

 

Phil, How much fun was that? KUDOS to you, great work and fortitude, well deserved award.
Now maybe you should send the trophy around to everyone so they can see and touch in person like they do with the Stanley Cup!
There's a LOL thought...

And remember
Happy motoring...

 

 

Lol!!! Actually they thought it was BLACK BLACK!! Lol. That's how bad the weather was!!

 

Dare I say I'm minutes away from signing up for the concours in Richmond!?!?! Maybe I can get my flat black Union Jack racing stripes finished by then!!
And you guys thought I'd be finished!!!!

 

Well deserved win Phil!

I know I am new here, and have not had the pleasure to meet up with other Cat owners, but I look forward to it.

Your car is beautiful!

 

Now I'd like to see that...

 

Congratulations Phil. Well deserved.

Most of us here on the forum have been following your mods and changes with great interest. Even when we didn't agree with some of them.

It's all your work, but I feel like I got to come along for the ride as I'm sure others do too.

Nice job.

 

Congratulations Phil, its been a long journey and I feel like I've been part of it due to your excellent write ups. Really please for you, well deserved

 

As I was reading through the thread, I was just thinking 'what next?'

Congratulations. Well deserved.

Graham

 

 

Congratulations Phil
Hard work, patience,luck, and more hard work usually pays off!