Factory Fives at Ford Fest 2024
Erik T. recapped his weekend at Ford Fest in Beech Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky, “This past weekend, I completed my goal and attended Ford Fest with fellow Factory Five Roadster owner Dan H. We both competed in the Grand Champion Event, which was supposed to be two days of autocross, one day of 3S, and a 1/4 mile drag race. While I consider myself an “OK” autocross driver, I don’t get enough seat time to be at the top. I was hoping the raw power of the Hawk Coupe, set to “Kill,” would shine in the drag race, but not with the hurricane crossing the U.S.! I don’t think the Hawk Coupe had ever seen as much rain as it did that weekend.
I was tempted to cancel my room and skip the event, but I was committed to hitting the marks I set for this year.
The weekend kicked off Thursday with a smooth registration and tech inspection. The event organizers and staff were top-notch. We were all set and ready to roll on Friday.
Day 1 was scheduled for autocross, and in a sea of Mustangs, we had my Gen 3 Coupe, Dan H.’s Roadster, and Ted L.’s ’33 Roadster. We were also met with A LOT of rain. The track was such a mess that it would have been easy to pack up and go home. But this is Ford Fest, and we are racers! The theme for the weekend was to stay upbeat and have fun, and we were definitely “soaking” it all in. The jokes and smiles kept coming, whether we were laughing at each other or ourselves. Either way, we were sharing in the joy of motorsports and making the most of it.
I had never autocrossed in the rain until this event, so I didn’t impress anyone with my times, but what I lacked in performance, I made up for in epic action shots of the Hawk Coupe ripping through the lake that was once an autocross track. I managed five runs on Day 1 and one more on Day 2. Even in the wet, the car can handle more than I have the skill to use. Overall, I had fun, and it was amazing to use these cars where they belong—the racetrack!
On Sunday, the rain looked like it might let up, but it picked back up, and I decided I had had enough. I was tired of being wet—too many flashbacks to my Army days. I counted my blessings, though: nothing broke, and we were among the few who wouldn’t be denied Ford Fest 2024!”
Ted L., running his Factory Five ‘33 Hot Rod Roadster, had a great attitude, saying, “We’re not wrecking, getting around the course. It’s fun, and that’s all that really matters.”
Built in 2011, Ted’s car runs a Gen-I Coyote from a Mustang GT, backed by a Tremec TKX 5-speed. His electric steering system is from a Mitsubishi. He and his son Cory, traveled from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Erik concluded saying, “Thanks, Factory Five, for the chance to enjoy this weekend with old friends and new! These cars are just too cool.”
Credit: Ford Fest 2024 Article: Autocross by Dave Bellman
