Harewood Hillclimb August 2024

Our first hillclimb

We'd already had a taste of something a little different with the Slock Mountain Run on the Isle of Man, but in August 2024 it was time for another new experience with Enzo as we headed to Harewood for our first JEC hillclimb.

We made a weekend of it, travelling up the day before with our good friends Andy and Hayley, who brought their XFR along too.

We based ourselves in York for two nights, giving us the chance to enjoy some good food, head into the city centre and have plenty of laughs before and after the main event.

Taking on Harewood

Arriving at Harewood, I was excited, a little nervous and could certainly feel the adrenaline building.

It was a non-competitive day, with no timing involved. JEC started things off with a briefing and guidance on what to expect before we headed out.

There were some simple safety requirements. Long trousers or jeans and long sleeves had to be worn, anything loose needed to be removed from the car and helmets weren't required.

Between runs, the atmosphere was really relaxed. There was plenty of time to look around the other Jaguars, chat with their owners and make good use of the coffee stall.

I'd never taken Enzo up a hillclimb before. Sitting there waiting to set off for the first time, I was excited, slightly nervous and keen to see how we'd get on.

Getting to know the course

We had five runs throughout the day, with the first naturally taken at a fairly steady pace.

One of the things that makes Harewood so memorable is the farmhouse in the middle of the course. You head through a narrow section beside it before sweeping around the corner beyond.

It's an unusual sight when you're concentrating on the road ahead, made even more surreal by the fact there was washing hanging on the line as we went past!

As the day progressed, I started to understand the course better and became more willing to explore the F-Type's performance. With no stopwatch involved, there was no pressure to chase a result. It was simply about getting a little better each time and having fun.

From the passenger seat

My partner joined me for the first run before sitting out the middle three. She then got back into the passenger seat for number five.

That gap meant she was probably better placed than anyone to judge how my driving had changed.

After the final run, she said she could definitely tell the difference. By then I'd found my feet and was much more comfortable than I'd been first thing that morning.

That was probably the best measure of the day for me. I hadn't gone there looking to prove anything. I just wanted to have a go, learn as I went and make the most of the opportunity.

The conditions helped, with dry weather throughout. It was pretty windy whenever we were standing outside, but thankfully that didn't spoil things once we were back in the cars.

A weekend to remember

Once the action was finished, it was back to York for another evening of good food and laughs before heading home the following day.

It had been a fantastic weekend with great friends and another memorable chapter in Enzo's story. Harewood had also given me the chance to see how the F-Type felt on a dedicated course and left me wanting to try something bigger.

By the time we left Yorkshire, I knew I wanted to take things a step further and see what Enzo would be like on a full circuit.

That opportunity wouldn't be too far away.