Mustang Takes To The Track At Mallory And Silverstone

After a fortnight’s delay, caused by the recent wintry weather, Stuart Scott and JordanSport arrived at Mallory Park to give the brand new Ford Mustang GT4 its first shakedown.

Despite not having sat behind the wheel of a race car since the Britcar 24 last September, Scott was content to allow Mike Jordan to do all the running at the Leicestershire circuit; “We had no set up to work with as the car came very neutral, but we started at zero set up and made great progress,” said the car’s owner. “By mid-morning we both felt that the car was lapping very consistently, and very easily. It reminds me a bit like the VW Golf; very understated but quick!  No rear wing, no wheel arches that have been extended to their limit, but basically a road car.” 

Two days later, Scott finally did get the chance to drive his new toy at Silverstone – in between red flags caused by less-well-prepared cars dropping bits and pieces around the track, that is.

“All these stoppages are frustrating, but today is all about me getting used to the car,” he said. “And it’s lovely! No problems at all.”

Mike Jordan was dividing his time between the Mustang and the Team Pyro/Preci-Spark Ascari. Did he find the American muscle car to his liking?

“Oh yes,” he smiled. “If my BTCC Honda was like a snapping Terrier, this is more like a faithful old Labrador!” And which did he prefer? “At my age, the Labrador,” he laughed.

“I think Stuart will find the Mustang’s driving style very different to what he’s used to, whereas I did four years of V8 Eurocar and the rear end assembly was essentially the same.”

Scott’s former British GT partner, Steve Wood, was also present to watch the Mustang. “I’ll be driving in the longer races and where Mike isn’t available,” he said, “but I can’t wait to race it; I haven’t raced since 2007.”

That’s not to say that he has been away from the racetrack; “I’ve been doing quite a few trackdays in a Juno, giving passenger rides. That’s a fabulous car, particular round Spa – Eau Rouge flat is just phenomenal.”

Jordan and Scott alternated in the Mustang in the first afternoon session, before Jordan focussed on the Ascari for the final session.

Before getting back in the Mustang for the final session, Stuart revealed that he’d treated himself to a rather nice present the week before; “I’ve bought Richard Lloyd’s Tour Britannia Camaro,” he smiled.

“It was watching Richard in these cars that got me into racing in the first place - my dad would take me when I was a kid - and he was very much my hero.

“To have since raced in his team - and now to own his car - is, well, almost surreal.”