As we waited in Portsmouth for the helicopter to join us for the official start, the F-type attracted no small amount of attention from officers and sailors alike. “You shouldn’t have much trouble winning with that piece of kit,” said one. On paper, perhaps, but the Wildcat wouldn’t be at the mercy of convoys of trucks on the A34 or more tractors than you could shake a stick at. However, the aircraft would have to adhere to a predetermined route and time constraints, not least of which was a time penalty for its late start.