Single Seater

Driven: 1993
Place: Brands Hatch, Kent, UK
Context: Track Day Car

Memory byte:
Can't remember much about what type of car it was, but being wedged into the cockpit and trying to get to grips with the controls etc was distraction enough. Then you had to watch the revs and no overtaking, which unfortunately I did. Pretty quick little thing but probably didnt get enough heat into the tyres at the time. Great cicruit to drive on, loved Druids Hairpin.

1991 Ford Fiesta XR2i - Track Car #15

1.6L,

Driven: 1993
Place: Brands Hatch, Kent, UK
Context: Track Day Car

Memory byte:
Awesome track day at Brands Hatch, courtesy of my better half. The transition from road to track could not have been more stark with the instructor shouting at you and grabbing the steering wheel. Nigel Mansell I wasn't. Mind you the instructors get let out of a local asylum for the day, as they drive 6.5mm from the bumper of the car in front. XR2i was great in stripped out form with good tyres.

1989 Renault 5 GT Turbo

1.4L, Silver, Reg: F109 RVL

Driven: 1996-97
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Holy Moly - could this thing fly! Okay so it was a lemon and horribly unreliable, but when it was working it smoked everything in sight. Although I could never figure out what had been done, it was quicker than the normal GT Turbo and had bucket loads of torque steer. When the turbo cut in you would see your passengers grab for the nearest solid object - it was awesome fun.

1988 Toyota MR2 T-bar

1.6L, Red, Reg: E874 HAP

Driven: 1995
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: Brothers Car

Memory byte:
Wow, pop-up headlights, that was so cool and Ferrari'esque. It was a neat little, rev happy car to drive. It was light and handled superbly, being mid engine and on such a small wheelbase. The cockpit cocooned you and the short shift gearbox meant the pace was always maintained. Awesome.

1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire 2.0i Ghia

2.0L, White, Reg: H514 YOU

Driven: 1995-96
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Good all round family car, had all the Ghia goodies and was moderately powerful, although white is a hard colour to maintain. Rear wheel drive can be a bit of a handful again as I found out half way round a corner as I hit a puddle on the apex (no it wasnt a circuit), and I had a major tank-slapping moment to deal with. Thankfully collected it okay - phew!

1986 British Leyland Metro

1.1L, Handbrushed Matt Black, Reg: C [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1995
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Hired

Memory byte:
Had to hire this monstrosity from a local garage to go and pick up my next car, Ford Sierra from Worthing. My brother accompanied me on that trip, and he noted how beautiful the turqoise vinyl interior was and the joyful 4 speed gearbox. Quite possible the worst car I have ever driven!

1989 Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia

1.6L, Red, Reg: F [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1995
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned (very briefly)

Memory byte:
Always wanted one of these, but this particular one was a real let down. Didn't notice that the paint work was a bit too shiny and only found out afterwards that it had been crashed and repaired. The range computer must have been sniffing petrol as it had real difficulty deciding what was fact and what was fiction, hence I got caught out a few times. Ditched it quick.