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Racing driver Ben Barker loves getting into nature with the Nugget and his dog to recharge between race weekends
DUNTON, UK - As a racing driver, work for Ben Barker can be strapped into a Mustang GT3 screaming around a track at night, flames spitting out of the exhaust as he hunts down the competition or try to extend a lead.
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Moments like this help him mentally reset between races
Work can also be a cramped debrief with engineers in the race truck or a promotional event for his sponsors. And because he lives in the UK but mostly race in North America, work also involves a lot of flights and anonymous hotels near tracks.
It’s the kind of life he dreamed of and that still gets the blood pumping, but a busy race calendar plus testing and promotional work means he really values his downtime to mentally reset between each event.
Which is why, when he’s not racing the Mustang GT3, he drives the Ford Nugget he chose as his company car.
Actually, it was Ben’s partner who swayed him. She’s always wanted a camper and as soon as he signed his Ford contract, she was straight online to see if they did one.
They both loved the look of the Nugget and now they’ve spent a year living with one, it’s perfect.
They get itchy feet easily but still need to unwind after a race, so they pack up the Nugget, bring the dog and have a few nights away together.
“When I’m not at a track, I love being in the water on my surfboard,” Ben explains. “Since having the Nugget we’ve discovered loads of great, hidden camping spots in Devon and Cornwall, UK, where we can park up on the cliffs and be in the waves within minutes the next morning.
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Leave home with the Nugget in the morning, cruise through Europe, park up that evening for dinner in the Dolomites
“Those trips mean we drive right across Britain, and the Nugget’s ideal for that. It’s comfy, refined, the sound system is great and it’s small enough for country lanes.
I like driving it so much that I even use it for the weekly shop. Plus — unlike my previous daily drivers — it’s got a shower that can also hose down the dog or our bikes and boards.”
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Some of the places in the Nugget look more like the Caribbean than Cornwall
They’ve also taken it on trips abroad, including a stunning few days down in the Dolomites recently.
And they love being able to park up somewhere and go for a hike and know they can come back to cold drinks, comfy seats and a different view every night.
The Nugget’s also been handy for work. Last year, he drove it down to Le Mans in France for the 24-hour race and parked it in the driver’s compound behind the pit lane, and his mum spent the week in it.
Another Ford Racing driver was totally sold as well; his teammate Fred Vervisch ended up putting his name down for a Nugget. He’s had it for a few months now, so they share camping tips and tricks with each other.
“As much as I’ve loved this Nugget, I’m more excited for my next one,” Ben adds. “It’ll have all-wheel drive so we can take it onto more beaches and forest tracks without getting stuck. Fred and I should talk to the team about designing a racing special edition.”
