Setting Records is All in a Day’s Work for This Van
For 60 years, the Ford Transit has been the backbone of Britain. But on a sunny Saturday at Chelmsford City Racecourse, it was the heart of a party. What started as an idea to mark an anniversary quickly grew into something more. We wanted to create the ultimate party for the ultimate van, and as the registration tally ticked over 3,000 people, it was clear that Transit Day was becoming the Transit Festival.
The day started, of course, by making history. I was so proud to see more than 200 Transits, from cherished classics to the latest models, come together to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest parade of vans - at Dunton, no less, the home of Transit. It set the tone for the entire day – a perfect blend of heritage and forward-thinking ambition.
“We were surrounded by the people who make Transit an icon – the business owners, the superfans, the families, and the Ford team. ”Dan Alcock, Ford Pro Communications for the UK and Ireland.
The energy throughout the day was incredible. From the moment the gates opened, there was a real buzz in the air. We were surrounded by the people who make Transit an icon – the business owners, the superfans, the families, and the Ford team. It was a celebration not just of a vehicle, but of a community built over six decades of hard work and dedication.
That sense of history was everywhere you looked. We had hundreds of vans on display, creating a living timeline of this vehicle’s amazing evolution. You could walk from one of the oldest-known Transits in the UK right up to the very latest, connected electric vehicles that Ford Pro offers today, with a stop off at SuperVan 4.2 and a coffee from a Transit-operating vendor. It was a rare and powerful opportunity to see the entire legacy in one place.
I was especially excited about the support we could offer our customers. We designed the festival to be more than just a fun day out; it was a chance to help businesses thrive. Our Ford Pro workshops covered everything from making the switch to an electric vehicle to mastering social media for your business.
The panel discussions, expertly hosted by Jodie Kidd and Mike Brewer, tackled the hot topics of the trade. We had real business owners sharing their insights and frank conversations about important issues like vehicle security. It’s this solution-oriented approach – understanding the challenges our customers face and helping them find answers – that is at the core of what we do at Ford Pro.
But it wasn’t all business. This was a day for the whole family. It was fantastic to see children racing remote control Ford Rangers on a specially built track, and people of all ages trying their hand at our “Tradie Tryouts,” including a popular bricklaying demonstration. The sun even broke through the clouds, adding to the wonderful atmosphere.
Everywhere I looked, there were smiling faces. People were exploring unique conversions like the Ford Sauna Van, enjoying cupcakes from Lola’s, and simply sharing their passion for Transit. It was a day filled with live music, great food, and even better company.
We also had our Ford Pro teams on hand to talk about everything from our Mobile Service Vans and apprenticeship programmes to the future of van design. It was a chance for us to connect with our customers on a personal level, listen to their stories, and share our vision for the future.
“The sun even broke through the clouds, adding to the wonderful atmosphere.”Dan Alcock, Ford Pro Communications, UK and Ireland.
The first-ever Transit Festival was a huge success, and it was all down to the incredible community that surrounds this van. Everyone had a great day, and the passion on display was truly inspiring. We’ve already set a world record, and now we’ve set a new standard for celebrating this icon. To quote a friend’s young lad who came along to the festival, “can we go every week?!”
Dan Alcock leads Ford Pro Communications for the UK and Ireland.
