True driving roads of Snowdonia

Considering its reputation for rain, you’d be forgiven for dismissing a topless tour of North Wales, however when it comes to driving roads Snowdonia really delivers...

Miles upon miles of roads uncoil themselves as they thread through blue-grey mountains, through sweeping bends and impossibly tight apexes. In places, rock thrusts from the ground as if it had forced itself through a carpet of alpine-esque trees; dropping away to vast valleys, torrents of water forming streams and picturesque waterfalls, such as those at Betws-Y-Coed.

If it’s a drive through stunning scenery you’re after, you won’t be disappointed, (notwithstanding any fog) the scenery is as dramatic as it is beautiful.

You have to be careful though... unforgiving slate walls line the road a mirror’s width away and oncoming traffic, wide lorries in particular, remind you that wherever you are, you are peddling around 'main' roads - motorways and bypasses conspicuous by their absence.

Traffic can be either slow or heavy at peak times, worse still wheezy caravan-laden work horses can provide miles of tedious trundling. Still, such is the risk on truly involving A-roads with minimal straight stretches offering the possibility to overtake.

Plumping for an early, summer morning blast is favourite here; although don’t necessarily expect warm sunny weather, Welsh rain somehow seems heavier than most.

There are hazards, yes, a lack of signage when you need it - an over abundance when you don't and the odd errant sheep wandering into your path having escaped from a nearby field, but these are small fry... There are so many roads round here, each as breath taking as the last and nearly all equally unpronounceable.

It’s pushing on through these mountainous roads that, given the right car and conditions you can reach a state of driving Nirvana. With the benefit of choice, here it has to be a manual box. If you’re so inclined, a slick flappy-paddle system follows an acceptable second; but it is swapping cogs through a series of bends that really makes this type of drive shine, a gentle blip on downshift and a crackling exhaust fully add to the drama; I’d admit that a fun and fizzy car such as the excellent Fiesta ST, or Mini Cooper S feels incredibly at home here.

Focus RS

I took on the drive in one of my favourite cars of the last two years, the Ford Focus RS. This is a car I advocated so strongly that I managed to convince myself (and more importantly Mrs. G) to put my money where my mouth is and order a signature ‘Nitrous Blue’ example at the start of the year; siting the Focus practicality and inherent modern day safety kit that propped the RS as a ‘sensible’ daily driver.

Focus RS

I’ve got to know Snowdonia relatively well over the last decade or so; my wife’s parents living within a short hop of Snowdon itself has afforded me some fantastic drives and great memories too.

I have to admit that I approached the trip with both excitement and trepidation, had the car not measured up I’d undoubtedly be devastated. My fears however were for naught. As I progressed through the hills and valleys, the car came alive; playfully popping and banging on each lift of the throttle, glued to the tarmac and changing direction as if seeking out a golden-snitch. It was one of those moments where nothing else mattered – pure escapism, a perfect drive through an impossible landscape. Better still, when you’ve parked up and enjoyed it all, you can turn around and do it all again.

Also in the area: If you get the time also try the A470 between Snowdon and Brecon too, it’s nothing short of incredible and the drive from North to South takes in some of the best views Wales has to offer.

Michael Gates

See also: Cornwall in a Convertible

Ford Anglia Cosworth drag-racer and Focus RS

At the Cuff Miller 70th Anniversary event, UKMotorTalk's Graham Benge talks to Cuff Miller's Michael Gates about an extraordinary car... A 1950s Ford Anglia that is now adapted for drag-racing with a Cosworth engine...

They also talk Mountune Performance Parts and what they can do to a Focus RS...

Swift by name, swift by nature.

Between bouts of highly-skilled automotive lunacy at the recent Ford Fair event, Paul Swift took time to chat with UKMotorTalk's Alex Wakefield about his career and following in the footsteps of his dad, Russ.

Whilst he took a well-earned break from entertaining the assembled Ford devotees, UKMT were able to catch up with Paul Swift, stunt driver without equal in a more relaxed atmosphere to the one he is used to – the Ford Press Centre.


Paul told us how he had become involved in motorsports and stunt driving. His father, Russ (a regular sight on British TV over the past couple of decades) was interested in rallying and Autotest and as a result, Paul grew up emulating him.

“I started aged seven on a garden lawnmower” says Paul, and it wasn’t long before he moved into full size cars.
“By sixteen, I was competing competitively in Autotest in the Durham area in a classic Mini...and I won the championship in my second year of competition.”

Paul won the BTRDA British Championship for the first time in 1998 and won the national title seven times in total, making a reputation that has now earned him a place as the nation’s foremost precision driver.
After retiring from competitive motor sport, Paul embarked upon his new career path. He can be seen doing what he does best around not just the UK but the whole world at live events for clients such as Ford.

You may also have seen him at Top Gear Live, wowing motoring fans by the thousands at enormous venues on every continent. At Ford Fair however, he was restricted to a 60 metre long arena. Paul confesses he prefers the more intimate venues.

“At the bigger displays, there is a void between the car and the crowd. Here, people can get much closer to the action – it’s more exciting!”

It certainly is that – we watched as Paul flung around a Ford Fiesta, Focus RS and Kuga diesel with equal aplomb.
“The smaller cars are more nimble” Paul admits “but the Focus RS is by far the best car I’ve ever driven.”

Paul is lucky enough to have one of these rally bred beasts as his daily driver although will own up to the fact that his wife prefers the charms of the Kuga – particularly with a new baby on the way.

As Paul signs another autograph in the Press Centre, he tells us about his passion – The Paul Swift Precision Driving Experience. This gives those previously able only to admire Paul’s skills from the sidelines the opportunity to experience his skills first-hand from the passenger and driver’s seat. Paul himself can be available to give direct tuition to everyone from young drivers to corporate clients, coaching in roadcraft or the experience of driving on two wheels as required..

The short time we have with Paul indeed passed very Swiftly.

Despite being able to demonstrate his often alarming skills in a haze of noise and smoke, he is a charming, relaxed and confident character – a behaviour exhibited both in and out of the car. We look forward to having an opportunity to enjoy his company and talent again some time in the not too distant future.

You can watch Paul Swift in Action yourself and find out about his driving experiences at:

http://www.paulswift.com/
http://www.precisiondrivingexperience.com/
http://www.youtube.com/paulswiftstunts

Alex Wakefield & Frances Lumm