Full speed ahead on campaign trail

Mrs. Thatcher showed she was quite happy to take the fast lane in the election during her tour.

At the Motor Industry Research Association test tracks near Hinckley, she was driven for three laps in a Rover Sterling at high speed.

Asked if she had been alarmed, she replied: “I had complete confidence in the driver. I did wonder a little when told the banking would take us round and that actually you could take your hands off the wheel.”

Her husband, Denis, said: “It was very, very quiet. At 90mph you could barely hear it.”

Mrs. Thatcher also watched a demonstration by Jaguar cars of an anti-lock breaking system on a skid pad.

She was told that the facility had been opened about a year ago at a cost of some £2 million, funded both by industry and the Government.

The track allowed consistent testing conditions to be used for work on tyres and braking systems.

Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher also had a quick look at a new Jaguar workshop commissioned only last week. They were shown round by product engineering director Mr. Jim Randle.

• The Motor Industry Research Association is a financially independent establishment with a current turnover of about £8 million, providing technical expertise worldwide from a team of more than 90 specialists in engines, safety, durability, aerodynamics and body engineering.