7:30am, and already I'm outside scraping ice off the car. It's dark and cold, and I'm preparing to tackle the early morning traffic.

An hour later I arrive at my destination - a farm just opposite Silverstone circuit.

You may wonder why I'm writing about this on the car enthusiast, rather than, say 'The Agricultural Times'. Well, luckily for me, at the back of this working farm is Silverstone Rally School, and I'm about to find out how much fun you can really have in a Mk II Escort..….

Silverstone Rally School teaches the techniques involved in gravel rallying. The course I have enrolled on is the 'Clubman', while a shorter half-day course is also on offer. Both of these are aimed at beginners, and once completed, more advanced courses are available.

The day begins with a chance to meet your fellow drivers, and a short briefing on the techniques you'll need to master during the day. More importantly, free tea and coffee is available to wake up those of us who aren't accustomed to mornings! The drivers are then split into two teams, each with their own instructor and car - time to head outside and get started.

The first skill for my team to master was the handbrake turn, the purpose of which is not to impress your mates in the car park at work, but rather to take sharp turns quickly. The general idea is that you use the handbrake to persuade the car to pivot around the front wheels, so that you can exit the corner quickly, pointing in the right direction. Putting this theory into practice, the instructor took each of us round a short circuit to show us how it works, it was then up to us to take the driving seat and try it for ourselves.

Squeezing into the bucket seat, I had just enough room to drive the car, although comfortable will not be in my description of the driving experience. (I am an exception though, because at 6'4" I have problems fitting in most cars.) After strapping in, and connecting the intercom it was time to give it a shot.

Pulling away, I suddenly appreciate these cars are not for use on the road. Equipped with the bare minimum, the heavy steering and servo-less brakes are only compensated for by an engine that could rev for England. 1st and 2nd are the only gears in use today! Once on the move though, none of that matters. The nervousness of taking the first turn suddenly evaporates into the challenge of attacking the next. You don't appreciate how uncomfortable the ride is, or how much effort you have to put into braking and steering; you just savour the adrenaline flowing through your body.

A short break and evaluation then leads onto the next session, power sliding. The concept here is that on a surface with very little grip it is often quicker to slide over it in a controlled fashion, rather than utilising the limited traction available. Most people found this easier than handbrake turns, however I'm not most people and circling cones sideways was quite a challenge. Encouragement and friendly abuse from the instructor, however, soon builds up your confidence, and everyone improved dramatically during the morning.

After another short break the two skills were combined, before stopping for lunch we were handed some authentic rally directions, and took our own cars to a local pub for some excellent food and a friendly discussion of the morning's events.

Once back at the circuit the real high point of the day begins. Over the afternoon two runs at a more complex stage precede a final extra-long run with real rally directions and an unknown route. A nerve-racking experience, but when it all comes together apprehension is quickly replaced by satisfaction, a feeling that will stay with you for days after it's all over. Finally, you are given the chance to be driven round by the instructor at 'authentic rally speed', but like a few others, I gave away my seat to a spectator I'd dragged along for the day. Needless to say, the spectators enjoyed it more than any of the drivers ever could have.

The afternoon concludes with an open evaluation of everyone's performance and a certificate to prove your achievements.

Everyone enjoyed it enormously, and several have vowed to return soon. It may seem expensive, currently priced at £235 for the full day, but every penny is well spent and you will leave grinning from ear to ear.