CALLING ALL E-TYPE'S!

“Calling All E-types” is the message from The Jaguar E-type Club who are inviting all E-type owners to join its charity drive around the coastal roads of Great Britain in September. Working with Prostate Cancer UK, the aim is to involve as many E-types Jaguars as possible, including cars from overseas, in a very different, and possibly unique, driving event.

Starting at Goodwood the day after the famous Revival meeting, the drive consists of 18 one-day stages with an average daily mileage of 180 miles (290 km). Dates are September 12 – 29, 2016.

Philip Porter, author of 30 motoring books and founder of the Jaguar E-type Club, has just recovered from prostate cancer. 'I was lucky. I had the tests, caught it early, had the operation and recently had the all-clear. Our aim with this event is to not only raise funds, working with Prostate Cancer UK, but also awareness. With the support of E-type owners, this national event which literally goes to every corner of the country, can do just that.

'To create a great spectacle for the public and the media, we need as many E-types to participate in a stage, or stages, as possible.

'Our E-types can play a major role in the important fight against this indiscriminate killer cancer. We can also have a lot of fun and enjoy an amazing drive through many of the most stunning parts of Great Britain while helping a very good cause.

'What could be better: driving our E-types as they were designed to be driven, and saving lives?'

All E-type Jaguars of every model, colour, condition and year are welcome. Porter will be driving his red E-type Roadster that appeared in the iconic film, The Italian Job. 848 CRY has been featured on television on Top Gear and The Car's The Star, and in many publications.

Rod Grainger, Veloce’s Publisher and chief petrolhead, is driving his E-type on the Lyme Regis to Penzance leg of the Round Britain Coastal Drive in support of Prostate Cancer UK, a charity helping to beat a disease which kills so many men every year. If you own, or can borrow, an E-type, Rod urges you to take part in this fun run to help raise funds for a very worthy cause.

The facts:

Daily Stages (finishing point): Lyme Regis (Day 1), Penzance (2), Bridgwater (3), Tenby (4), Penryhndeudraeth (Portmeirion) (5), Blackpool (6), Carlisle (7), Largo (8), Kyle of Lochalsh (9), Kinlochbervie (10), Inverness (11), Stonehaven (12), Berwick-upon-Tweed (13), Bridlington (14), Cromer (15), Maldon (16), Folkestone (17), Goodwood (18).

Significant Jaguar Destinations: Blackpool (where the company was founded) and Cromer (where E-type designer Malcolm Sayer was born).

Jaguar E-type Club: formed in 2004, the Club has members in over 50 countries and organises events worldwide. The accent is on using cars and not on polishing!

Prostate Cancer UK: the E-type Club Round Britain Drive is being organised in conjunction with the charity Prostate Cancer UK. Although UK-based, this charity is raising funds to find a cure for one of the most common cancers in men in the world. It is equally important to raise awareness.

Philip Porter: has owned his two historic E-types for 40 years. They are 9600 HP, the oldest E-type in existence, the original Geneva launch car and road test car which set the magic 150mph legend and appeared in all the newspapers and magazines. And 848 CRY, which was raced extensively in 1961 and later appeared in the film The Italian Job. Porter has written around 30 motoring books, including two award-winning major works on the Jaguar E-type, and founded the Jaguar XK Club, the Jaguar E-type Club and Porter Press International, the world's leading publisher of quality motoring books. He has recently recovered from prostate cancer.

The Jaguar E-type: The E-type was a sports car produced by Jaguar Cars between 1961 and 1974. Owned by pop and rock stars, such as George Harrison and Mick Jagger, footballers such as George Best, and many leading actors, the E-type was very much a part of the Swinging Sixties, together with mini skirts, mods on scooters, the Beatles, the King's Road, Mary Quant and Twiggy.

E-types were raced successfully in many parts of the world, including at Le Mans and in the USA. They often beat their main rivals, the Ferraris. The E-type racers included World Champions Sir Jackie Stewart, John Surtees OBE, Sir Jack Brabham and Graham Hill. E-types appeared in many films and have many times been voted the public's favourite sports car, most beautiful car and most sexy car. The E-type is the ideal car to publicise prostate cancer.

Fund-raising: passenger seats for half days will be auctioned. This is just one of the initiatives being worked on. The crew of the car that has raised the most funds per day will lead off and wear the Yellow Jersey (actually a Yellow Hat!). Corporate sponsorship is invited.