The JCNA International Jaguar Festival 2018 is on track to be a very successful event indeed. As of this Newsletter we have over 148 attendees participating in most of the events.
The PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM VAULT TOUR AND DINNER is almost sold out and there may be an additional tour added if the reservations keep coming in at the present pace.
The JCNA Slalom site has been approved and the event will take place at the SANTA YNEZ REGIONAL AIRPORT in Santa Ynez, 30 minutes from the HILTON RESORT through some of the most beautiful Santa Barbara backcountry roads. Highway 154 passes through the Lake Cachuma Recreational Area and the beginning of the Santa Ynez wine country. The event will take place on the CAL FIRE helio-pad. The facility has all the amenities and there is plenty of parking for spectators.
The Thursday evening WELCOME RECEPTION will have a full-service bar with a special wine tasting from the FESS PARKER VINEYARD. The FESS PARKER family are part owners of the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort as well as the FESS PARKER WINE COUNTRY INN in Los Olivos. The vineyard is located on FOXEN CANYON ROAD, featured in the movie SIDEWAYS. After the Reception attendees are open to explore the many 4-5 Star restaurants within walking distance of the Hilton Hotel, recommendations will be provided in future updates.
The newly opened BLUE WATER GRILL was sampled by this reporter and if you want the freshest seafood available, this is my recommendation, the other choice is the FISH HOUSE RESTAURANT, formerly the CHART HOUSE, with excellent seafood and Prime Rib/Rib Eye steaks.
For the more adventurous, there is the FUNK ZONE near the Hotel, this is a HIP area with art galleries, wine tasting rooms, boutique specialty eateries and jazz clubs. This area is fun, different and truly a Santa Barbara original.
Mark Hodges and Charlie Hallums, Concours chairman and head judge, are tightening-up the concours arrangements and registrations are coming in steadily. As of this date, we are seeing cars from as far away as Florida, Mexico, Eastern Seaboard, and Western Canada. We were also informed that several couples are coming from England to enjoy the festivities.
One of the unique vendors attending will be BREMONT CHRONOMETERS, the official watch maker for Jaguar Cars. There dedicated Jaguar themed watches will be on sale at the IJF. Also, MOSS MOTORS/XK UNLIMITED will be offering a special discount to all IJF attendees and will deliver your parts to you at the IJF, their warehouse is just up the road in Goleta. Just let them know when you order you Jaguar Parts that you will be attending the IJF for the discount and shipping savings.
Finally, don’t forget to get online and look at the IJF Store on the IJF Registration Website, there are some unique items for sale, especially the IJF Jackets and Polo Shirts.
Cheers for now, Mark Mayuga, IJF Chairman, 1st VP JOCLA