ursuline forewent: Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost and the 2012 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power

?After a week of testing the new Ford Focus 1-litre EcoBoost on the road, we also had the chance to see how it performed around the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power circuit.

See the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power video >>

The experience at the Pageant circuit confirmed our findings on the road ? the 1-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine in the Focus provides it with more performance than you would ever imagine, and it makes a great noise. It?s also a light engine, which assists with the handling of the car on the track.

However that wasn?t the end of the story. In addition to taking the Focus around the circuit, there was also the chance to go for a spin in a last-generation Ford Fiesta ST, a 3-litre Ford Granada (yes a Ford Granada), and a Ford Transit Van ? and a rather rapid one at that.

The 3.2-litre racing Transit was driven by Justin Law, son of Don Law, who had a collection of cars at the 2012 Pageant of Power ranging from a Jaguar XJ220 to an AC Cobra.

The eventual winner of the Supercar Class at the 2012 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power was the BAC Mono ? see the video of the BAC Mono at the 2012 Pageant of Power press day.?

Cholmondeley Pageant of Power 2012 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost
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The single-seater Mono beat competitors such as a?Lamborghini Gallardo, Nissan GT-R and Ferrari 458 Italia ? compared to such opposition, the BAC Mono has a claim to be one of the greenest cars in its class.

The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power is the North West?s largest and most entertaining annual automotive event, and this year it took place over the weekend of 15-17 June on the Cholmondeley estate in Cheshire.

The Pageant features a wide variety of attractions, ranging from boating action on the estate?s own lake to aerial displays. However, of most interest to petrolheads is the motor racing on the 1.2-mile circuit, and this year there was an intense battle between a fascinating mix of cars in the supercar class.

Cheshire-based car company BAC entered its Mono in the competition, driven by Duncan Tappy, who is currently racing a McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in the Blancpain Endurance Series.

The Mono was up against stiff competition including a Lamborghini Gallardo, Nissan GT-R, Ferrari 458 Italia, Radical SR 3 SL, Porsche 911 Carrera S, and Ariel Atom V8.

Cholmondeley estate in Cheshire

Following Friday?s wet practice session, all the cars had three runs each on the Saturday and Sunday. With the weather remaining inclement, the competitors had to wait until the final day to post their fastest times on a dry track. The Pageant circuit is technically demanding; although it is mostly flat, it has bridges, slippery hairpins and adverse cambers to contend with.

The final result was that Cheshire-based BAC won with its Mono, with a fastest lap time of 63.06 seconds (see the full results below). Neill Briggs, Director at Briggs Automotive Company Ltd, says ?I?m delighted to have achieved our first win with the Mono, especially on our own Cheshire territory, and against such capable opposition.

The Pageant circuit is a significant challenge for any car and its driver, as it?s more like a Welsh B-road than a smooth race track. This victory shows that the Mono has got the performance and the handling to beat cars costing more than twice its price, but that the Mono is also well suited to typical UK roads.?

?I?d like to thank a number of people who have helped with this win, starting with our driver, Duncan Tappy, for doing such a good job in conditions that were often very wet, when the various four-wheel drive competitors should have had a considerable advantage. Also thanks go to all our staff, suppliers, sponsors, family and friends who have supported us whilst we have developed the car over the last few years.?

Neill also says that the Pageant of Power event has improved every year, a result of the passionate leadership from event director James Hall and his staff, and that even the rain on the Saturday this year didn?t?

detract from the spectacle of the event. It may be an over-used comparison, but the Pageant of Power really has the opportunity to become in the North what Goodwood has become in the South.