There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing a Ford Escort MkII out doing what it was born to do — not tucked away at a car show, but properly driven, hard and fast, on a live track. Captured just outside Aintree, Liverpool, this rally-spec Escort Mk2 stole the show for me.

This wasn’t about lap records or 0–60 stats — because yes, while the acceleration isn’t quite on par with modern supercars, what it lacked in outright speed it made up for in raw, old-school fun. The kind of fun that makes you grin more than you realise, and feel every twitch through the wheel and rumble from the engine.

Filming the Run: GoPro Mounted (the Wrong Way Up)

For this session, I decided to mount the GoPro inside the car, suctioned to the window. It wasn’t the most elegant setup — the angle didn’t quite fit, and I couldn’t place it on the outside for safety reasons. So, I ended up mounting it upside down, promising myself I’d fix it in editing. It worked, actually. Bonus: being mounted inside meant you got the full effect of the Mk2’s engine note, echoing off the interior like a soundtrack from the golden era of rallying.

There’s something brilliant about that throaty bark of a naturally aspirated Ford four-cylinder being pushed to the limit on a small circuit. Every gear change, every lift-off, every squeal of rubber was captured — and it reminded me why people fall in love with these machines in the first place.

A Hidden Track Next to Aintree

I didn’t even know there was a motorsport circuit next to Aintree until this event. Tucked away like a best-kept secret, it turned out to be the perfect venue for this kind of grassroots driving day. Short but technical, with just enough space to let the cars stretch their legs without needing a full-blown race licence to have fun.

One moment stuck with me — just before a right-hander, I noticed a tree stump marked with a hay bale, like a polite reminder that this wasn’t a game. You’re on a real course, in a real car, and there’s no margin for error if you misjudge a turn. It gave the whole thing a very club-level rally vibe — part fun, part challenge.

Tyre Squeal and Smooth Lines – Dave’s Run in the MkII Escort

The owner and driver, Dave, handled the Escort like he’d been driving it forever. A few squeals of the tyres hinted at how hard he was pushing, but there was nothing scrappy or unpredictable about his run. It was tight, clean, and confident. He wasn’t trying to set records — just enjoying the car the way it was meant to be driven.

This wasn’t a showboating session. No dramatic slides, no unnecessary revving. Just well-judged inputs, proper pace, and that beautiful Escort soundtrack ringing out across the track.

Final Thoughts – A Proper Day Out

This whole experience captured exactly what I love about classic motorsport culture in the UK. Cars that weren’t designed to be garage queens, driven by people who know and love them. The MkII Escort is one of the most recognisable names in historic rallying — and days like this prove it’s still got the heart and the legs to entertain.

Between the weather, the venue, the sound of that engine, and the chance to record it all from inside the cabin, this shoot was a reminder of why the Ford Escort Mk2 still means so much to so many.

Taking the Ford Escort Mkii out around the Grand Prix Circuit in Aintree Liverpool. I used the GoPro Hero 7 Black and suction cup attached to the windscreen.

This was a track day organised by the Liverpool Motor Club. It was well organised and the Escort Mkii performed really well.

This is slightly closer look at the Ford Escort Mkii Rally Car. We also took the TVR out for a spin too.