Nearly 40 Jaguar XKs will congregate at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu on Monday 12 June to kick start the first stages of the Round Britain Coastal Drive. Starting and finishing in a different location each day whilst travelling through beautiful towns and villages along the way.
Over 100 beautiful Jaguar XKs from around the world will be participating in the 18-day, 3,600-mile event. Some will be doing just one stage, others all 18. The overall aim is to raise both money and awareness of Prostate Cancer.
This event, which is believed to be unique, is the brainchild of author Philip Porter who recently recovered from prostate cancer.
Philip Porter, an award-winning author, has written 30 books on motoring (around a dozen on Jaguars) and motor racing, including four with Sir Stirling Moss, one with Murray Walker and one with Martin Brundle. In 2005, he formed Porter Press which is now one of the world’s leading motoring publishers. He has owned his XKs for 44 years. He is Prostate Cancer UK’s Motoring Ambassador.
Long-time XK Club friend and supporter, the great Murray Walker OBE, will officially flag away the cars away from the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. Murray is an absolute legend in the world of motorsport, his fame extending far beyond the roar of engines and the squeal of tyres on a start-line.
Murray says; “Though this is not a race, it sounds to me like a great event. I wish Philip Porter and the other crews a really enjoyable drive. May they be blessed with much publicity for this important cause. Go, Go, Go!”
Participants in the Round Britain Coastal Drive (RBCD) will raise crucial awareness of prostate cancer, which kills more than 10,000 men in Britain every year. London-based XK Club member Patrick Hanratty, who will take part in all 18 stages of the RBCD in his British Racing Green XK 150 Drop Head Coupé, understands the importance of this more than most. Having recently come through bowel cancer, he is now being treated for prostate cancer, and will speak of his experiences after some group dinners during RBCD. Few men even know where their prostate gland is, so encouraging them to learn and check will save lives.
They will end and start the next day from:
Hunday Manor Country House Hotel, Winscales, Workington, CA14 4JF.
- Sunday 18th  June 2017 arriving Workington at approx. 5pm
- Monday 19th June – leaving Workington at approx. 10am
Jaguar XK Facts
- The XK 120 was launched in 1948 at the Earl’s Court Motor Show and stole the Show
- The name was based on the 120mph top speed and it was the fastest production car in the world
- The XK 120 offered racing car performance on the road and had a futuristic body design of great beauty
- XK 120s were owned by Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart and Tyrone Power
- The XK 120 won its first race and countless races in the States
- The XK 120 helped Jaguar become Europe’s leading dollar earner until overtaken by VW
- The XK 120 won international rallies and was used for record-breaking by Stirling Moss who had one as his road car
- The XK 120 was offered in three forms: Roadster (officially known as the Open Two-Seater Super Sports), the Fixed Head Coupé and the Drop Head Coupé (convertible). The XK 140 succeeded the 120 in 1954 and XK 150 was introduced in 1957. They were also offered in three versions.
- Some 60% of XKs were exported
- The XK 120C (aka the C-type) was closely based on the XK 120 and won the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in 1951 and 1953.
- The amazingly versatile XK engine powered the Le Mans-winning C-types and D-types, the compact and luxury saloons of the ’50s, fire engines, armoured vehicles, record-breaking power boats, the iconic ’60s E-types and silent executive saloons in the ’70s.