Wednesday 25th April 2018

'Series Elite' F-Type GT4 championship launched

The catch? You need to be more than 50 years old...

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Is there ever a point in a car enthusiast's life where they stop harbouring ambitions of being a racing driver? Probably not, which is why 'Series Elite' sounds like great news for aspiring racers mature enough to be Max Verstappen's granddad - because you have to be 50 years old to compete.

Yep, the lower age restriction for this new race series is the same as for Saga insurance. Organisers of the Series Elite, which will field Jaguar F-Type GT4s exclusively, have said that the idea is to offer "the more mature drivers an opportunity to compete on a level playing field." They're aiming for a grid of 20 cars, with amateurs and more experienced competitors invited.

Given Series Elite is aimed explicitly at high net worth individuals, the season package is a comprehensive one. All training, testing and "race experience needed" will be provided, along with vehicle storage and transportation. In addition to that, and uniquely as far as we know of, Series Elite will offer racers events and activities away from the circuit. Apparently these will include "ice driving experiences, attending sporting events, exclusive dinners, selected corporate social responsibility and charity events." How marvellous.

Series Elite is the brainchild of Totally Motorsport Group Holdings; its boss Graeme Glew said the championship caters for older drivers "who want to compete at a high level with like-minded racers". He continued: "With time at a premium it [the series] will allow drivers to fulfil their desire to go racing with minimal effort and fit into their busy lifestyle."

JLR's Director of Vehicle Personalisation Greg Clark added that the championship was "an obvious fit for Jaguar" and that Series Elite was "an appropriate next step" as they aim to expand production of the GT4 F-Type.

There will be an inaugural race weekend for Series Elite this year - at Brands Hatch late in October - ahead of a full six-weekend season in 2019. The plan is for Silverstone, Donington and Rockingham to join Brands in the 2019 calendar, with "an international finale event" for the end of the season. Best get those stamps together for an International licence then...

A price for the championship hasn't yet been announced, though this is hardly going to be grassroots motor racing when you consider it features GT4 cars and such a level of organiser support. Still, it certainly does sound like fun. Any quinquagenarian PHers (that's 50-59 years old, apparently) interested in racing an F-Type? Or indeed older? Probably more entertaining than a four-wheel drive Tesla Model S...

 

[998420]

"selected corporate social responsibility and charity events."

So, "selected corporate social responsibility" is the new packaged virtue signalling product for billionaires who wish to feel a little bit good about their impact on the planet, how lovely.

[Turbobanana]

Great news! I qualify as at the end of September.

"...Series Elite is aimed explicitly at high net worth individuals...": Oh, wait...

[CTE]

The tone of the two above comments sounds as though they are jealous and how dare anyone have so much money they can afford to do something like this. Yes there are those with huge wealth who have fallen on their feet and do not understand/appreciate their good fortune (and generally p*ss people off), and others whose means to wealth can be dubious, but the majority have worked extremely hard for it, and paid their taxes!

So yes, this a business venture (and a risk...it could fall flat on its face) to make some money from some extremely wealthy people with a bit of extra goodwill thrown in. As a by product it will create employment and opportunity for a lot of less well off people...what`s wrong with that?

[998420]

Not In the slightest, my remarks were targeted at the pathetic virtue signalling services that people are now being offered to these people.

Obviously I understand that if you have a lot of money you would want a turnkey racer as you are probably busy elsewhere.

CTE said:

The tone of the two above comments sounds as though they are jealous and how dare anyone have so much money they can afford to do something like this. Yes there are those with huge wealth who have fallen on their feet and do not understand/appreciate their good fortune (and generally p*ss people off), and others whose means to wealth can be dubious, but the majority have worked extremely hard for it, and paid their taxes!

So yes, this a business venture (and a risk...it could fall flat on its face) to make some money from some extremely wealthy people with a bit of extra goodwill thrown in. As a by product it will create employment and opportunity for a lot of less well off people...what`s wrong with that?

[swisstoni]

998420 said:

"selected corporate social responsibility and charity events."

So, "selected corporate social responsibility" is the new packaged virtue signalling product for billionaires who wish to feel a little bit good about their impact on the planet, how lovely.

sts and Giggles is no longer sufficient reason in today's po faced Holier Than Thou Twitterverse.

[Turbobanana]

CTE said:

The tone of the two above comments sounds as though they are jealous and how dare anyone have so much money they can afford to do something like this. Yes there are those with huge wealth who have fallen on their feet and do not understand/appreciate their good fortune (and generally p*ss people off), and others whose means to wealth can be dubious, but the majority have worked extremely hard for it, and paid their taxes!

So yes, this a business venture (and a risk...it could fall flat on its face) to make some money from some extremely wealthy people with a bit of extra goodwill thrown in. As a by product it will create employment and opportunity for a lot of less well off people...what`s wrong with that?

Sorry, perhaps I should have used smaller words. My tone was one of "let's see if I can raise a smile while poking fun at my own impending big birthday": clearly I failed.

I'd much rather see these things racing than some silent electric cars and I couldn't care less who drives them. Would I love a go? Course I would, but good luck to those that (hopefully) commit to it, however they have acquired their wealth.

[SmartVenom]

At 41 I feel young when I go racing! The paddock is full of successful 50+ guys, many of whom are regular visitors to the podium. I’m not really sure who this series is catering for.

[Harry_mac]

Just the boost Jaguars "old man's car" image needed.....

[FWDRacer]

Inverse ageism

[ggdrew]

Bi-focal windscreens, tartan-wrapped roll cage and corduroy con-rods?

[andis12]

I’m not trusting of many experienced drivers behaviour when on track.
Wouldn’t fancy lining up on a grid where “All the gear, no idea” described most the entrants 😬