WHEN you consider that Ford is the most popular marque in Jersey, it is perhaps not surprising to hear that next year’s 45th anniversary celebrations of the American manufacturer’s iconic model, the Mustang, will reach these shores.

A contingent of the Mustang Owners Club of Great Britain are planning to come to the Island to take part in next year’s Classic and Vintage Motor Racing Club Speed Festival, bringing their shining examples of the American classic with them.

And to grease the wheels, so to speak, the club’s ‘webmaster’, Mark Hayden, was in the Island at the end of last month to witness this year’s event.

‘I guess you could call me the advance party,’ said Mark, who brought his limited-edition 1994 Indianapolis pace car Mustang with him. ‘The Jersey event is fantastic. It’s well organised with some superb cars.

‘As well as having a very active internet forum, the club, which has more than 800 members, gets together on numerous occasions over the year and I’m sure the Jersey Speed Festival will be a very popular event on the 2009 calendar.’

Mark visited Jersey with fellow club members Colin Fox and Geoff Watts, who brought over a 1967 Mustang Fastback and a 2005 Mustang GT.

Coming even further than the UK trio was Mike and Belinda Szmytke of Plymouth, Michigan. Like Mark, Colin and Geoff, they were invited to Jersey by Alex Fearn, an Islander who owns three Mustangs – 1964 and 1965 coupés and a 1993 5.0 GT.

Mike and Belinda have helped Alex over the years with parts and advice, so they decided to make their first trip outside the United States to see their loyal Jersey-based customer and the Speed Festival, which Alex helped to organise.

‘I am very impressed – we certainly don’t get anything like this in the States,’ said Mike. ‘We were also amazed by the size of your roads. They would certainly test most American drivers!’

Mike and Belinda own one of the most respected and successful Ford Racing dealerships in the US, catering for millions of Americans who want to customise their Ford vehicles. They own around a dozen Mustangs, including two very rare 1993 Cobra Rs, which have consecutive serial numbers and have never been driven.

‘I have loved the Mustang for a very long time,’ said Mike. ‘It was designed with the working man in mind, yet it suits everyone, from the racer to the housewife.

‘And the Mustang is the reason we are here in this beautiful Island. We have met some wonderful people in Jersey and I’m sure all the UK Mustang owners will love it when they visit next year.’

• Picture: Belinda and Mike Szmytke, Colin Fox, Alex Fern, Geoff Watts and Mark Hayden with a 1993 Mustang. Picture by David Ferguson (00583941)