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Ford Ranger Wildtrak: part four

Sat, 24 Jul 2010

Took Rieju’s little sports 50 (£2499) to Whilton Mill kart track near Daventry the other day. Didn’t even need the ramp to load it in – such are the delights of 50cc bikes.

Got my resident stunt monkey to test it out round the track but things were a bit hampered by a stubborn gear selection process. Turns out the bike had been fitted with a chain about three inches too short. Shoving the rear wheel as far forward as possible didn’t give any free play at all. Even though stunt monkey managed to get the Sava tyres hot and sticky we deemed it too dodgy to continue. Least I didn’t need the ramp to load it back into the Ford Ranger.

Been clocking up the miles with my Ducati Pantah F2 project in the back, too. Spent some time at Baines Racing at Silverstone getting all the brake and oil cooler hoses custom made and got a trip planned back to Harris Performance Products in Hertford for some rear shock jiggery pokery. Also collected a (free) 1970 Mobylette moped from Fifth Gear's Jonny Smith. I’m a sucker for free stuff and plan to get it road legal for next spring so I can go and get my early morning baguette et croissants en style.

It’s having projects like this that makes you realise the value of having a pick up. It’s just a versatile car, really tailor-made for people who piss about with all sorts of bikes for fun (and for a living).

Slowly learning that flat out is not the best way in the Ranger. Just cruising at 75-80 uses half as much fuel as 90-95, especially with two bikes in the back. Least it’s got a good mp3 friendly sound system to take your mind off the fact that you’re losing ten miles over an hour. S'funny how miles and familairity allow you to bond with a vehicle...


By mark forsyth


See also: So that's why he's called RANDY de Puniet, 2011 Ducati Mega Monster Leaked Sketch, Ducati Multistrada at Pikes Peak [video].