Ford Centenary Celebrations

The Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire will host the first Ford Motor Company Centenary event in the UK this year. Hundreds of Ford car clubs and individual Ford car owners are expected to congregate at the Centre in Gaydon for a Ford fun day. All drivers in Ford cars will receive FREE entry to the Henry Ford Day on Sunday 11 May.

Julie Tew Managing Director of the Heritage Motor Centre said: "We are proud to celebrate the long history of the Ford Motor Company, particularly as 2003 is such a special year. It will be quite a spectacle to see such a wide range of Ford cars from one of the largest motor manufacturers in the world. We have lots to see and do for all the family, it will be a day of fun and celebration."

Attractions on the day include a special display of some of Ford's own heritage vehicles, charting the success of the Ford Motor Company from the turn of the twentieth century to present day.

During the course of the day two 'Ford Forums' will be held, with a panel of some of the great names from Ford's motorsport and sporting vehicle past, reliving some of their fascinating experiences for the benefit of the audience. Bill Barnett who headed the Ford rally team in the 1960s and 70s will be a speaker, as will Harry Calton, formerly Ford PR and then Aston Martin PR. Also Stuart Turner, who was director of Ford's rally team and ran the Advanced Vehicle Operations facility at Aveley in Essex, the production base of the Ford Escort Mexico and RS models in the early 1970s.

Visitors will also have the opportunity for an exclusive photo opportunity, sitting in the driving seat of a Ford original Mk III GT40. Meanwhile those who seek a challenge can try their driving skills in the Formula Finesse driver challenge in the main arena.

Not all the action will be on-road; there is a Land Rover Experience, where you can take a ride in a Defender through the rough terrain of the 4x4 circuit, or try the new go-kart circuit for adults and children (over 8 years of age). For smaller children (ages 3-7 years) there is a more sedate miniature electric road course. Also throughout the day the Heritage Motor Centre will be showing a selection of films from the extensive Ford film and video archive library, in their cinema.

The day’s event starts at 10.00 a.m. and closes at 5.00 p.m. Entry tickets include a visit to the museum, home to the world's largest collection of British vintage and classic cars. Children under the age of five years, receive FREE entry. Ford car passengers get a £1 discount (adults £7 children £6); Family tickets £25 (include 2 adults and 3 children); concessions £7: General enquiries telephone 01926 641188 or visit the following websites for more details: www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk and www.ford.com