Visit Ford’s top-secret test track

csv8 · 18-06-2010, 05:34 PM

Probably a re-post.
Visit Ford’s top-secret test track
By Neil McDonaldHerald Sun17 June 2010An opportunity money can't buy - Ford fanatics have the chance to be driven around the high-speed testing track at You Yangs.
The gates to Ford's top-secret proving ground near Geelong are being thrown open to the public.

However, there's a small catch. They will only be open to 50 lucky winners of Ford's "ultimate Ford experience" competition.

The competition is being held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's much-loved Falcon. "It's an opportunity money can't buy," Ford spokesperson, Sinead McAlary says. "We never allow the public into the proving ground and security is always strictly controlled."

The winners will not only get a tour of the multi-million dollar You Yangs facility but also the chance to be driven around the high-speed testing track by Ford's own test drivers.

Apart from a behind-the-scenes look at the proving ground, winners will also have VIP access to Ford's Campbellfield styling studio, a tour of the Campbellfield and Geelong assembly plants and lunch with Ford racing legends Dick Johnson and Alan Moffat and Ford President Marin Burela.

To get the chance to see one of the country's top-secret proving grounds, simply head to Facebook and "like" the "Falcon turns 50 fan page" and follow the instructions.

The competition closes on July 9 at 4pm, and winners will be announced on July 14.

GS608 · 18-06-2010, 05:53 PM

Yeah, it's a sticky lol
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11299545

Good prize though

Brazen · 18-06-2010, 06:03 PM

Kind of like a Charlie and The Chocolate Factory type of prize for any Ford enthusiast.

XR8putts · 18-06-2010, 07:47 PM

Pity NZers can't enter :(

Ducati888 · 18-06-2010, 08:22 PM

I used to live on a farm at the foot of the You Yangs. I would regularly see the EA test mules being driven around the back roads of Balliang and neighbouring areas in 1986 & 1987.

I went to the test track twice as a kid, because we knew one of the security guards there and he took me on a full tour of the place a couple of times. As a massive Ford enthusiast at the time (about 13 or 14 years old) this was a dream come true.

Ford also had an open day there for employees in about 1987 or 1988 I think, and the securty guard came good again for us.

When I finished school I got a job at Ford Geelong as a mig welder, making seats for Capris and Falcons, and also K-frames for EA's. No luck getting in to the test track as an employee myself though :(

Ducati888 · 18-06-2010, 08:26 PM

Oh yeah - re the OP, it's hardly a "top secret" test track if everyone knows where it is, now is it? You can park your car on Sandy Creek Rd or Little River Ripley Rd outside the cyclone fence and watch the test mules do their thing. How's that "top secret"?

GTpilot · 18-06-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puts99

Pity NZers can't enter :(

or people that are not members of facebook...and DON'T want to be.

CFOUR · 18-06-2010, 08:42 PM

somebody pull up an aerial shot from google earth!

XR Martin · 18-06-2010, 08:45 PM

Some of us 'old timers' went there back in 2002 :P Road around the bowl in a bus, a few guys went in an XR8.
Also saw an early Territory mule getting about that we wernt meant to see...

carnige · 18-06-2010, 08:46 PM

awsum i hope i win

cool65 · 18-06-2010, 09:38 PM

With the Early Falcon Car Club of Victoria, I drove on the 25th falcon anniversary run from Broadmeadows to Geelong - via You Yangs test track, including driving on "low speed" (for us) test track. The highlight was 1000 fords on a perfect day on Geelong waterfront

DRU842 · 19-06-2010, 10:14 AM

Drove the track with the convoy on the 75th Anniversary; a great day & should be done more often!!

Eaturbo · 19-06-2010, 10:35 AM

I too drove around the track in an EL XR6 for the 75th ford rally. Was an awesome experience. Just think another 15 years and they will have a big 100 year bash. Have to get me another GT for the 100 year or keep the T3 till than.

pottery beige · 19-06-2010, 10:59 AM

how cool would that be... driving over the top of all the buried Phase 4's on the main straight.......

Jason[98.EL] · 19-06-2010, 11:06 AM

I have been there as a back seat passanger with a blind guy driving ( charity drive for the blind ) was fun not having controll of the car doing 100kph with a blind man driving

I also had the privlage to go out there with my old man when ford and the racv were doing an emissions test thing a few years back saw the ba test muels running around the track as well as on the dynos ect

would love to go out there agan so I hope i win

Jason