Inside story: secret test tracks

I spy with my little eye something beginning with ‘S’ – secret test tracks! Car makers may think the proving grounds where they fine-tune new models are safely hidden. But they aren’t! No amount of barbed wire, high fencing or burly security staff can guard against the prying eyes of satellites orbiting the earth. These can see everywhere. And thanks to the computer program Google Earth, you can, too. We have used the hi-tech software to look in on 13 of the world’s most heavily guarded test tracks.

We’ve even provided the exact grid reference of each. You can input this information into the program, click www.earth.google.com to download it free, and take a peek for yourself. But for now, read on to see where the cars you will be buying in the next few years are tested.

You'll need to download Google Earth from the Google website (link below). Click on the images in right hand panel for co-ordinates to zoom in on the top-secret test tracks.