I didn’t keep a running check of the showroom value of all the cars that I drove at the recent JLR driving event at Bowood, but it must have been well over £500,000.
Given that the Range Rover Hybrid was listed at £107,000, that was not a particularly difficult number to exceed.
I know I wasn’t alone in really appreciating the trouble that JLR took to lay on the event. As a freelance it is impossible to attend every launch and for me the chance to spend time with both the Jaguar XE and Land Rover Discovery Sport was very welcome. I had heard so many good things about themå, it was good to have the chance to make up my own mind. It was also a great opportunity to meet most of our newer members – most of them were able to make it. An event like that also gives us an opportunity to get to know the PR team and for them to understand the group and its members better.
It also gave the group a chance to stage our first meeting since the Western Group Driving Day at the beginning of June and start to lay preparations for the AGM in November. It’s a relief to know that we have volunteers for the vacant posts on the committee from November. Thanks to JLR for working that into their busy schedule around the three groups they had attending.
We are working on a date for the PR Driving Day next June. For the first time that I can remember, the FIA has already published a date for the British Grand Prix next year – which looks to be 26 June 2016. With Le Mans set for the previous weekend, our target date of second week in June looks as though we might be on the right track.
August means holiday time for many and if you are away, have a good break. September is already looking busy with launches for the Kia c’eed and Vauxhall Astra as well as VW Caddy van gathered around the Frankfurt Show. Economy drivers should also note that the MPG Marathon, organised by Group Treasurer Ross Durkin is all set for 29-30 September. It’s going to be a busy month.
John Kendall | Chairman WGMW
