There was great excitement when the Ford team competing in this weekend’s Battlefields 400 cross country race arrived at Fed Auto in Dundee last night to allow enthusiasts to have a close up of the ‘monsters’ that will take on the course that starts and finishes at Battlefields Country Lodge.

The Neil Woolridge Motorsport team, based in Pietermartizburg, was there with their full contingent – including sons, Gareth and Lance Woolridge and their navigators, Ward Huxtable and Boyd Dreyer. Also there were Brazilians, Cristian Baumgart and Alberto Andreotti.

The Ford racing team in blue with Philip Hawkins and his FedAuto team on the left

Lance Woolridge and Ward Huxtable, in the V8-powered Ford Ranger (T34), claimed a resounding victory last time out at this race. They also have the advantage of heading into the second race of the 2018 season in the Class T championship lead, following their comfortable win at this year’s opening race in Dullstroom.

Dr Corne Malan getting some tips from Lance Woolridge.

Team-mates Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer have set their sights on making amends for their retirement in Dullstroom after setting an impressive pace during qualifying. The young crew finished second last year in the treacherous wet and muddy conditions experienced at the Battlefields race, and a strong finish at the sharp end of the field is essential to secure vital championship points – particularly with the 2018 calendar limited to just six events.

Lance signing autographs for Piet Lutske and Charl Wait.

Autographs were signed and there was much chatter and examinations of these vehicles – all Fords designed and built by hand in Pietermaritzburg and of course backed by Ford America.

The prologue will be held this afternoon and racing proper starts at 8am tomorrow. Free entry!

The Ford Mustang, at R1,5 million in the showroom was one of the main attractions.