Ford Fair 2012: Track Action

Fast Fords On The Circuit

When it comes to cars laying down laps of Silverstone, my observations led to conclude that there seems to be an inverse scale at work - the more enjoyable for the drivers, the less spectacular the viewing for everyone else.

Watching people swap paint whilst simultaneously burning off a grand’s worth of rubber and then crawl back to the pits on bare rims ranks quite highly on the excitement scale, but as a pro drifter or touring car driver the huge pressure to perform probably saps most of the enjoyment out of what is in effect a day job.

Switch to a track day though and the whole situation transposes - huge grins abound for those participating, freedom from the limitations and imperfections of the road, but a certain lack of engagement for the observers.

That’s not to say that the day was totally devoid of theatrics. A Mk2 Escort is always going to be entertaining to watch, as is a stock hatch spec Fiesta lifting a rear wheel at each corner.