** Updated post with new information **
Journalism has it's critics. Some say that it's just a case of filling the space with copy. Others say that it's a finely honed skill which takes years of hard work to master.
Those who study such things belong mainly to the latter camp. Take Motorsport for example. Some noted contributors achieved fame by specialising in certain fairly narrow fields for example. Take my namesake for example - Dennis Jenkinson (or 'Jenks' as he was universally known). F1 and fast cars were his speciality. He was once lent a Lotus F2 car for a road test on Christmas Day, and it was even printed in Motorsport Magazine.
But has anyone noticed the similarities between our very own Roger Wood, chief operating officer of the Derbyshire Region and a certain Andrew Frankel, renowned journalist in many hallowed car magazines - Motorsport being but one.
No, they don't particularly look alike, and I haven't noticed any particular favourable bent towards Jaguar by Andrew F. However, there is one very curious connection. Both have recently written on the Ford Transit, a mainstay of the commercial van sector since the 1960's. Rumour has it that Roger has a second career ghost writing articles for Andrew Frankel.
Here's what Andrew F recently wrote for Motorsport Magazine (June 2024):
"If you’re reading this, it means the editor has seen fit to allow a van review to fill part of a precious page of the world’s oldest – and greatest – motor sport magazine. He is clearly an enlightened and very fine fellow. Because he knows what we know: vans matter, particularly to the racing community. If you’ve not driven one of late, you may be rather surprised at where the state of this particular art has reached.
Take this brand new Ford Transit Custom. Ford now sells Transits in three sizes: the Connect, which is actually a rebadged VW Caddy, this mid-range Custom version (upon which the next VW Transporter will be based) and its high-roof, long-wheelbase derivative simply known as the Transit.
For less money than an electric Astra you get a van that will carry three times as much clobber as a full-sized SUV, accept a greater load than a one tonne pick-up and tow up to 2500kg while keeping you in air-conditioned comfort as you go about your business with the help of everything from bum warmers to CarPlay. It’s quiet, it’s comfortable, it’s frugal, it weighs less than a BMW M3 Touring and it’s bloody brilliant.
Downsides? It only seats three, and it’s helpful if the passengers are well-acquainted, because they certainly will be by journey’s end. But it comes into that category of vehicle I like most: those that know what they are for, and focus on doing that job better than anything else. After all those expensive crossover, hybrid, plug-in cod-SUVs, this feels good. AF"
And this, dear reader, is what Roger had to say on the very same vehicle:
"We are down in Oundle for a few days but had car problems en route as one of the hoses went on the S Type in Newark and no one can sort it locally so it’s returning to Macclesfield courtesy of the AA and we continued our journey in a Transit van as this was all that was available in both Newark and Lincoln. Luckily we don’t need the car while we are here so will be returning in the van on Thursday. I have now two poorly cars as the XK has a gearbox problem so will be relying on Joan’s Mini on our return"
So there we have it. I think we can agree that whilst somewhat briefer, Roger's style and approval for the Ford Transit echo's perfectly the enthusiasm from Andrew F.
To discover what Joan (aka Mrs Wood) has to say on the matter of a Ford Transit we eagerly await the next meeting of the Derbyshire Region.
Can't wait, personally....
STOP PRESS: I have just received first hand infomation from Joan Wood HERSELF who informs me that the vehicle itself was not a Transit but was in fact a RENAULT!
Apart from blowing the whole story line, it does make me wonder who is the car/van expert in the Wood Household! Answers on a postcard please!
This is now morphing into a Spot-the-Difference article!
Picture of said RENAULT below, courtesy of Joan Wood.
Article Copyright Motorsport Magazine Limited 2024. Transit photograph Copyright Ford Motor Co Limited.
