By the time Group B was about to die, Ford invaded the track with its special RS200 . Unfortunately, before childhood diseases caught on, group B ended. Nevertheless, it is worth remembering, perhaps because only a homologation series of 200 cars and racing specials was created.
The car company's racing department in Boreham originally developed the Escort RS1700T model. The latter was inspired by the Lancia 037 , so it had a turbocharged engine but only rear-wheel drive. Before he could enter the scene, it was certain that a car without four-wheel drive did not stand a chance. The development of the new special began in 1984. Unlike the competition, Ford, as one of the few, was not inspired by the shape of an existing car, but at Ghia they designed a completely new laminate body. Only the windshield, taillights and roof panel came from the Sierra .
In the middle was a turbocharged Garett T3 turbocharged 1.8-liter BDT inline sixteen-valve engine with 250 hp in the production version and 420 hp in the racing version. A second evolution was planned, which was to receive a 2.2-liter BDT-E engine with a power of 550 hp. The engine was placed in front of the rear axle, while the gearbox and central differential were behind the front axle, which gave the designers an excellently balanced car. The turbocharger intercooler was located in a large intake manifold on the roof. The chassis had double wheel suspensions, shock absorbers and coil springs. The double disc clutch was supplied by AP . The car was 4000 mm long, 1764 mm wide and 1316 mm high. The wheelbase was 2,530 mm, and the front and rear wheel tracks were 1,502 and 1,498 mm, respectively. The weight was only 1080 kg.
The first start took place at the Swedish Rally 1986, when Kalle Grundel finished the competition in third position. The next start was the Acropolis rally , where Grundel and his teammate Stig Blomqvist led the entire competition for a long time, but unfortunately had to retire. A similar situation occurred at the RAC Rally , which was also the last competition for Group B cars ever. Only the national title in Belgium , which was won by Droogmans , or the British one, which was won by Lovell , are among the achievements of this car. In 1991, Martin Schanche became world rallycross champion with this car. In the civilian version, it is still a rare and valued car. And there is certainly one in the Czech Republic in the possession of Mr. Jírovec's collection. And the six-time national rally champion, Václav Pech junior , started with him at the Eiffel Rally and Rally Legends.
Photo: Wikipedia, Startinggrid, Rsownersclubaust, Turbosport, Allracingcars, Conceptcarz, Hooniverse, Silodrome, Autos, Blackhdwallpaper
