Video: The Ford Supervan 4.2's Timed Shootout-winning run

18th July 2024

Ethan Jupp

It feels strange saying that a van won the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard Timed Shootout. But then again, that van was the Ford Supervan 4.2, built for hillclimbs, with more than 1,400PS and had two-time Le Mans winner Romain Dumas at the wheel, so it’s not that strange. And we can see in the run why it really was the driver that made all the difference.

Dumas pushed the limits exactly where they could be pushed and kept it clean where it would be easy to throw it all away. In all, his experience burned bright with every input as he guided the Supervan up the Goodwood Hill.

Not only was this the winning run, it was the fastest timed run of the weekend as he beat his qualifying time from Saturday by just over a second. By contrast his closest competitor Scott Speed in the Subaru WRX: Project Midnight, succumbed to the temptation to overdrive and push the limits, and both the Hill and his car punished him for it.

You really can put Dumas in anything, point him in a direction and he’ll more than likely be faster than anyone else. Spectacular stuff from one of the world's greatest drivers.