NASCAR. Pure magic for petrolheads.

These 4 photographs represent a random selection of Fords from NASCAR 1949 to 2013.

Safety seat from a typical 2013 NASCAR racing car.

Suspension and brake parts and differential of a typical NASCAR racing car.

360 c.i. V8 NASCAR racing engine.

Very robust 4-speed NASCAR gearbox.

A view of the forms used to check on the shape of a NASCAR car body to make sure it fits the regulation profile.

Frame construction required and sound proofing/safety cells.

Blurry view of a brand new Ford Fusion race car in the preparation stage for Brad Keselowski.

Two Ford Fusions in preparation for Brad Keselowski for future races in 2014. Two for each race - one a back up.

Race cars ready for future NASCAR races for Brad Keselowski and Rikky Stenhouse jnr for Nationwide and NASCAR Sprint races in 2014.

Jonathan Bassnett getting ready to take a shot of the production line of the 14 byas with cars in preparation for 2014.

Race car before the colours and decals are applied. The Ford sticker is for visitors! The rear lights are decals too.

Three of about 12 transporters belonging to Roger Penske's racing teams.

Honda powered Penske Indy car of a few years ago.

Penske Porsche from the Le Mans Sports Car Series.

Our Cabins in Damascus near Bristol for the NASCAR Race weekend.

Early morning as the cars get final prep for racing. The headphones are for sound protection and you can listen to race commentary or to the messages between drivers and their spotters and crew.

Close up of the pits.

Ford Fusion Pace Car ready to lead the 43 cars around the .553 mile colleseum track at Bristol Speedway.

Cars on the warm-up lap. The sound is thunderous.

Michelle and I during the race with cars going by at about 120 mph and the sound is stupendous. Just had to experience it without earphones. Made me deaf for 2 days. Not bright, but boy was it just massively awesome. The sound just goes right through you and the ground vibrates unbelievably. As they pass, the sound takes your breath away and it is impossible to talk. Pure magic for a petrolheads like myself and Michelle. By the way, I was not 'snadlecratching", this is Jonathan's daughter!
All in all it was the most memorable weekend of my trip to date and maybe for the whole time. It has been a dream and now I really want more. I met Danika Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse jnr at Crossfit Gym and got Danika's signature for my colleague and NASCAR fundamentalist, Paul Giliomee. They are both such well balanced people and wonderful to talk to. Definitely not the typical Southern Drivers of yore, but dyed in the wool professionals. Ricky came 2nd in his Ford Fusion and Danika 20th in her Chevy. Fords 1-2-3-5! On the same weekend, Ford won the Le Mans Series 12-hour race at Sebring in their new V6 Ford Ecoboost car, A Mustang won the Drag Championship in Gainesville, so Ford riding high. Stephen Simpson, SACS Old Boy, came 4th in Class P2 at Sebring in his first race for a long time. Just missed a podium finish. Well, at least he is back in racing and when I win the Lotto, I will make sure he stays there!