Puff was again invited to take part in the famous event, The Festival of Speed. This year it was run over 4 days and Puff was there in “The Birth of Rallying” section, along with the Monte Carlo winning Mini, Bill Bengry’s Ford Cortina and a London Sydney Marathon 1800. In total, 86 rally cars were present including 10 Escorts as part of the 50 years celebration of the AVO.

This year was even more special, as Puff had a very special invite to be one of 30 rally cars to ‘run up the Hill’ on the Thursday morning as part of a demonstration of these iconic and historic cars. If this was popular, it may well be repeated in years to come, so that the public can see that these cars are worth the hike up to the top of the hill to see these cars running on the rally stage.

This year a lot more people came to ride in Puff and we had a great time from Friday through to Sunday evening, running passengers along the stage. There was measured jump too, won by the lovely Dave Watkins in his gorgeous Mk1 Ford Escort TC and he covered 43 feet. The beautiful trophy donated by the RAF to celebrate their 100 years was his. Puff jumped 21 feet – not 2ft 1in as first thought!

It culminated with a magical evening at the Goodwood Ball, with lots of friends old and new. The ‘show’ was spectacular with lights, fireworks, acrobatics and Jeff Beck playing Nessum Dorma. A magnificent spectacle. And on the weekend days, the Red Arrows were spectacular as ever.