I took a hot lap with the Stig from 'Top Gear' — then I took some hot laps of my own (F)

Wannabe racers can rejoice. Ford has brought its 350-horsepower "hot hatch" Focus RS from Europe to the US. The RS went on sale earlier this year, and for about $36,000, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more trackworthy ride that can also serve as a daily driver and errand-runner.

I headed up to the Monticello Motor Club, about a two hour drive from where I live in New Jersey, to check out the RS in its preferred environment: on a race track.

And who did I find up in the lovely Catskills on a glorious late-summer afternoon? Why, none other than Ben Collins, who was once the "Stig" on the hit BBC car show "Top Gear." He was out of his anonymous white full-face helmet and racing suit and kitted out in blue Ford Performance threads. He was on had to truly put the RS through its paces, with merciless hot laps on half the MMC's course.

I got my crack at the car afterwards. Was it any good?

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The Monticello Motor Club is located about two hours north of New York City. It's nestled among quiet country roads.

The speed limit is 40 mph outside. It's rather more than that on the track.

If you don't look hard, you might miss it.