FORMULA ONE it wasn't; a formula for thrills it most certainly was, writes DAVID HODGKINSON.

A whirlwind opportunity to take the co-driver's seat as Tony Jardine thrust his fierce Ford around the thrilling, twisting track of Three Sisters.

On a steaming hot May day, my T-shirt perversely sticking with sweat, I cautiously clambered into a gleaming silver Ford Escort Cosworth.

The straps were belted down down, the sleak racing helmet fitted snugly, the microphone crackled.

And Tony, who earlier had chatted comfortably about crashes and crazies, beamed a relaxed smile: "Ready to rumble?"

Hesitantly, I nodded. And held my breath!

Suddenly, the throbbing 1,600 engine roared in riotous approval as Tony pushed hard on the accelerator, Michelin tyres screamed in harmony and we hurled clear of the pits and out onto the tortuous and burning half-mile circuit. With the exhaust rasping and popping on the over-run as he wrestled with the steering wheel and rapidly changed gears, the rally car rocked and rolled, screeched and strained, braked and bombed as we hurtled around three adrenaline-pumping laps, sideways and straightways, at speeds up to 100mph.

A gasp into Paddock Bend and out into Rodgerson's Straight, flying around Lunar Bend, the tyres shrieking as a ton of steel fought to find a path to Conrod Straight, Pentith Climb and the alarming Cowards Summit.

I didn't dare draw breath!

Then, just as suddenly, Tony aimed the vehicle around and back into the pits. The car stopped. I blinked.

The Three Sisters Racing Circuit at Ashton-in-Makerfield has witnessed some hair-raising stunts in its time.

Mine just didn't compare. But it was fun!

Ex-World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, a Lancashire lad, and SuperScot David Coulthard, currently a hot property with McLaren in this year's Grand Prix season, have both raced at Three Sisters.

This time the occasion was an RAC Direct Insurance Rally Team promotion, the chance for F1 racing fans to live out their dreams and gain fast-lane experience of motorsport.

For Tony Jardine, a member of the Murray Walker's ITV Grand Prix team and a respected rally driver, it was a golden chance to test out on tarmac.

"This is a chance to ride with a nutter," laughed Tony as he propelled us into the unknown.

BUT WHICH ONE WAS THE NUTTER?

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