When you think of true Ford passion, look no further than Jim Vanhoudt—a man whose journey with the Blue Oval began with his grandfather’s humble Fiesta and has since evolved into something much more personal, much more powerful.
From Grandpa’s Fiesta to the Streets of Belgium
Jim’s automotive love story kicked off with nostalgia: his grandfather’s Ford Fiesta left a lasting impression, setting the wheels in motion. At 18, he got behind the wheel of his first car—a Ford Escort 1.3 Ghia. It wasn’t just transport; it was freedom, emotion, Erinnerung (memory).
Today, Jim lives that passion daily—not only as a traffic light technician but as a vinyl-spinning DJ under the alias Marko Vibes and the proud owner of a 2023 Ford Focus Mk4.5 ST. He calls it his workhorse, but this ST is no ordinary daily driver.
Meet Marko_Vibes – The Focus That Stands Out
Jim’s Focus ST, affectionately named Marko_Vibes, is a testament to understated style and personal connection. While it remains mechanically stock, with its 2.3L EcoBoost pushing 280PS and 420Nm of torque, it does feature subtle aesthetic enhancements—a Flow Designs splitter and diffuser add an aggressive edge.
“It’s not about having every mod,” Jim says. “It’s about feeling the road, loving the car, and driving with heart.”
Performance specs? Snel genoeg (fast enough):
- Power: 280PS
- Torque: 420Nm
- 0–100km/h: ~6 seconds
- Top Speed: 245km/h
Club Life and Nürburgring Nights
Jim isn’t just a driver—he’s a community builder. As a member of Ford Performance Club Belgium and the founder of ST Performance Belgium, Jim fuels Ford culture locally and internationally.
His proudest moment? Racing at the legendary Nürburgring. “That was something special,” he recalls. The green hell welcomed Marko_Vibes like an old friend, and the experience deepened his bond with the brand and the ST platform.
You’ll often find Jim and his club crew at Circuit Zolder, Ford events across Belgium, and of course, at the annual Ford Village Meet in Leopoldsburg. Whether it’s pops and bangs on a Friday night or vinyl beats at a local gathering, he blends passion and personality effortlessly.
Advice from a True Enthusiast
Jim’s wisdom is simple but meaningful:
“Treat your Ford with love. Live your life. Follow your dream.”
His build may be modest, but his message is loud—Geniet van elke rit (enjoy every ride). And in a world obsessed with horsepower and head-turning mods, sometimes it’s the people behind the wheel who truly inspire.
What’s Next?
For now, Jim is keeping things clean and classy. He’s got new Sparco/OZ wheels in the pipeline, and while there’s no massive performance overhaul planned, you get the sense that Marko_Vibes is always evolving—just like the man behind the wheel.
Final Words from Jim
“Even de zorgen vergeten en genieten met de boys and girls.”
Forget the worries and enjoy with the crew.
From spinning records to spinning tyres, Jim’s life is all about rhythm—and his ST keeps the beat going. Follow his journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @marko_vibes
💬 Got love for STs and that European Ford spirit? Jim’s got the vibes—Marko Vibes.
🔗 Stay tuned for more inspiring builds and stories at fordfam.club
📸 All images used with permission. Feature requests welcome via features@fordfam.club
#FordFam #STPerformanceBelgium #FordFocusST #MarkoVibes #FastFord #NürburgringVibes #FocusLife #FordPerformance #FordEurope #BlueOvalPassion