After eight hours and 20 minutes Detour ended up exactly where we BEGAN. That’s because we took part in the IndyKA 500 – an epic endurance race at the Brands Hatch race circuit.

It was the first race for the Detour-sponsored EnduroKA with drivers Nik Berg, Natalie Knowles, Nick Creed and Tim Parsons finishing a creditable 35th out of 46 starters.

Driving into the dark at the famous Kent track, the team of novices – who actually met racing online – had to contend with slippery conditions, a loose fuel tank, and even former Le Mans winner, but brought the modified Ford KA home in one piece and learned a huge amount which they plan on taking into the 2023 season.

“A simulator doesn’t portray the track elevations anything like they really are. Paddock Hill bend at Brands Hatch, in real life, is a daunting corner for even a seasoned racer. A steep drop in elevation hides a blind apex, which if taken incorrectly will punish the driver. The corner looks completely different compared to what it did on my TV,” said Creed who had only ever driven the circuit on a Playstation.

“It was such an intense experience, eight hours non-stop for everyone in or out the KA,” added Parsons. “Once you're racing everything else disappears – you're totally absorbed in the moment.”

Stay tuned for more action in 2023.

Photography Dan Froude Instagram