Holy crap. I never thought I'd see the day when a bloody tradesman's van would make me question everything I know about speed. But here we are.
Last weekend at Santa Pod, I watched a white Ford Escort van—the kind plumbers and electricians use to haul their tools around—absolutely obliterate three speed records. The kind of thing that makes you spit out your beer and question if you're hallucinating.
From "What The Hell Is That?" to "Oh My God, Did You See That?!"
This unassuming 2001 Escort van thundered down the quarter mile in a ridiculous 8.72 seconds. Let that sink in. A VAN. 8.72 SECONDS. When the speed flashed up on the board—168.4mph—the crowd went absolutely mental. I was standing next to some guy who'd brought his Ferrari, and he looked like someone had just told him Santa wasn't real.
Terry Newton, the 41-year-old madman behind the wheel, wasn't even planning to break records that day. "We were literally just checking if the van still worked," he told me later, still looking a bit shell-shocked. "Hadn't driven since October."
I spent most of Friday following Terry around, pestering him with questions while he tried to eat a burger. Poor bloke.
When Your Daughter Becomes Your Lucky Charm
The moment that got me was when Terry admitted he burst into tears after the run. His 7-year-old daughter Elektra had told him to "go win it" when he saw her on Wednesday. And win it he bloody did.
"When I found out we'd beaten teh record, I instantly cried remembering what she said," Terry confessed, not even trying to hide his emotion. "We matched it last year but to beat it is unbelievable."
£100K Later...
The story of how this van came to be is peak petrolhead insanity. Terry swapped it with a mate for a Mk4 Escort six years ago. And get this—it blew its head gasket on the drive home to Preston. Not exactly a promising start.
Since then, he's poured over £100,000 into this thing. That's not a typo. One hundred THOUSAND pounds. My wife would divorce me on the spot.
The modifications are bonkers. This van hits 60mph in 1.8 seconds (faster than a Formula 1 car), 100mph in 3.9 seconds, and 135mph in 5.9 seconds. For comparison, a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport—which costs about 27 times more—would be eating this van's dust.
Wait... DJ Carl Cox Called Him?
In what might be the weirdest crossover I've heard this year, world-famous DJ Carl Cox apparently phoned Terry to congratulate him. Turns out Cox races in the same class and has his own team. Who knew?
The two-litre turbo engine burns through seven litres of methanol for each quarter-mile run. It's pumping out around 1,100 brake horsepower, which is so much that they can't even measure it properly because the wheels just spin when they try.
Terry normally drives a VW Touareg. Imagine that conversation at the school gates. "Yeah, I drive a Touareg, but on weekends I pilot the fastest front-wheel drive Ford on the planet."
From Tradesman's Tool to Record Breaker
This thing demolished three records in one go:
- Fastest front-wheel drive Ford (previous record: 8.76 seconds at 152mph by a Focus, set over 20 years ago)
- Fastest front-wheel drive Zetec
- Fastest front-wheel drive Zetec stock block
Terry credits his mechanics Chris Eade (nicknamed "the Turbo Doctor") and Graeme Cook for the transformation. I spoke with Chris briefly—man barely said ten words but his hands were permanently stained with oil and he had that thousand-yard stare of someone who's spent too many late nights under engine bays.
What's Next? (Besides Making Everyone Else Look Slow)
Terry's already eyeing a European event next month with a £100,000 prize pot. "The sky's the limit for this old van," he told me with a grin that suggested he's nowhere near done yet.
If you want to see this beast in action (and trust me, you do), Terry will be at the Doorslammers event at Santa Pod from May 16-18. Use code SUN20 for 20% off tickets. I've already booked mine—wouldn't miss it for the world.
Back in 2018, I watched a McLaren 720S run the quarter mile and thought nothing would impress me again. I was wrong. So very wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the power units of Formula 1 cars
The Formula 1 power unit consists of a hybrid internal-combustion engine (ICE) with an Energy Recovery System. The ICE is a turbocharged V6 engine, while the ERS captures energy from the car's braking and exhaust systems to provide additional power. Combining these technologies boosts not only performance, but efficiency as well.
What is the difference between slick and wet tires in F1?
Slick tires in Formula 1 are designed for dry conditions, and their smooth surface area provides maximum contact with the track, offering the highest levels of grip. Wet tires (intermediates and full-wets) have tread patterns designed to disperse the water on wet surfaces, reducing aquaplaning and providing traction during rainy conditions. In light to medium rain, intermediates should be used. Full wets will work in heavy rain.
How do Formula 1 teams transport equipment between races?
Formula 1 teams meticulously prepare the logistics of transporting their vehicles, parts, or equipment to all corners of the globe. In Europe, trucks are usually used. Air cargo is more preferred for overseas and long-distance events. Each team maintains a logistics division to ensure that everything arrives on schedule and in perfect condition. This is done by carefully managing a season-long complex schedule that crosses multiple continents.
Can Formula 1 team test their car year-round?
Formula 1 teams cannot test their cars all year round. There are restricted pre-season and in-season testing sessions regulated by the FIA. These limitations were put in place by the FIA to control costs and keep a level field. Teams are therefore required to make the most of the limited test opportunities available in order prepare their cars and collect data for the races that lie ahead.
Statistics
- The fastest lap ever recorded in Formula 1 was set by Juan Pablo Montoya, reaching a top speed of 372.6 km/h (231.523 mph).
- Jenson Button accomplished the greatest number of overtakes in a single race, with a total of 26 during the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix.
- Ferrari is the most successful team in Formula 1 history, with 16 Constructors' Championships to their name.
- The Silverstone Circuit, home to the British Grand Prix, has hosted more Formula 1 races than any other circuit since the championship began in 1950.
- The highest number of cars to start a Formula 1 race was 34 at the 1953 German Grand Prix.
- Lewis Hamilton has the most career wins of any driver in Formula 1, amassing over 100 victories.
- As of the latest season, Mercedes AMG Petronas has won eight consecutive Constructors' Championships, the longest streak in Formula 1 history.
- As of the end of the 2022 season, Formula 1 races have been held in 34 different countries around the world.
External Links
How To
How to Play Official Formula 1 Video Games
Playing official Formula 1 games can give you a more interactive and immersive experience. Begin by purchasing the latest version of the F1 game developed by Codemasters, which typically features the current season's teams, drivers, and circuits. Familiarize yourself with the game controls and settings, and start with tutorials or practice sessions to build your skills. To simulate the Formula 1 experience, you can participate in a virtual Grand Prix. The official games boast realistic graphics and physics, faithfully replicating the excitement of F1 racing.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/formula-1/racing-heartbreak-mick-schumacher-and-miss-universe-finalist-call-it-quits-after-she-met-his-famous-dad
CricketBoxingFormula 1GolfHorse RacingPremier LeagueTennisDartsPrivacy PolicyTerms And Conditions
