Cars - Ford Escort Mk1 Mexico rally car

On a track day at Nissan UK, Sunderland, a great collection of local rally enthusiast drivers brought their cars to have a go at a short but twisty course set up inside the Nissan test track. For me, naturally aspirated 2WD cars hold a special place in my memory - I had one ride, and it was always going to be the Mk1 Escort!

The track is part of the old runway of the airbase that used to be there before the car factory. At the nearby museum (NELSAM - the North-East Land, Sea and Air Museum), an Avro Vulcan B2 V-Bomber, one of the last planes to land there, is displayed.

Even though I had been out setting up the cones and route the day before, I waited until the end of the day to experience it. By that time, the old Escort was feeling a bit of strain - the horrid grumbling noise on one corner was the shock absorber shield moving into the tyre, and the driver explained at the end that it had a bit of low oil pressure, so this is him 'taking it easy'. Enjoy!