Rs200 Ford S Group B Rally Legend

RS200 - Ford's Group B Rally Legend tells the story of motorsport's Group B category racing car.

The Group B cars marked one of the most thrilling yet most tragic periods in the history of world rallying and beyond. The 037, the S4, the EVC and the ECV2, "ephemeral player" of a still-born Group S, were the unforgettable protagonists of the 1982-1986 seasons that for the Lancia marque were constellated by a series of World, European and Italian titles, but also by terrible accidents that cost the lives of Attilio Bettega, Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresto. Sergio Remondino, a historic journalist and great expert in the multifaceted field of rallying, traces that unforgettable era, year by year, through a text rich in anecdotes and thanks to the contribution of the engineer Sergio Limone, one of the artificers of the Group B cars. This invaluable book is completed by the evocative images of Reinhard Klein, one of the most successful rallying photographers.

When world rallying introduced a new formula for “World Rally Cars”, Ford seized the opportunity. Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport organization was contracted to do the job, completed the design in less than a year, and spent the next 12 years campaigning this turbocharged, four-wheel-drive car all round the world. Working from state-of-the-art facilities, M-Sport built 97 Focus WRCs, all of which proved to be worthy of World level action when they won 44 World Championship events. Stellar drivers like Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz, Markko Märtin, Marcus Grönholm and Mikko Hirvonen all added to the mystique of an ultra-professional organization, along with substantial support and sponsorship from the likes of Martini, BP, and the state of Abu Dhabi. By building its in-house technical expertise, M-Sport not only engineered and developed the entire car on behalf of Ford, but gradually took over development of the 300bhp, 2.0-litre, turbocharged engine, and led the design of the complex four-wheel-drive transmissions provided by Xtrac. M-Sport’s reputation exploded to the point that when regulations changed, the company immediately produced a new-generation Fiesta WRC, and kept the winning days rolling.

When Ford teamed up with Cosworth Engineering to breathe life onto its humdrum Sierra, few knew it would be the birth of a motoring legend. Through circuit racing and supercar-humbling on-road ability, the 1985 Sierra RS Cosworth quickly became a household name. A practical four-seater boasting 204bhp from its two-liter turbocharged power plant, the RS Cosworth's massive performance was equaled only by an extroverted rear wing designed for high-speed stability . While motorsport machines scooped innumerable victories and increasingly powerful engines, in 1987 Ford homologated a yet-more-spectacular Sierra - the 224bhp RS500. It instantly became a desirable collector's piece. The restrained four-door Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth of 1988 was Ford's vision of a 150mph executive express; two years later, its four-wheel-drive successor returned the firm to rallying. By 1992, Ford had squeezed the 4x4's running gear into a shorter Escort body, complete with 227bhp engine and ever-more-aggressive aerodynamic aids. The limited-edition Monte Carlo came in 1994, followed by the final RS Cosworth - a revised Escort with smaller turbocharger and user-friendly appeal. Production ceased in 1996. Today, each model has a loyal following among motorsport fans and fast Fords enthusiasts. And as the cars become increasingly sought-after, so too does the pursuit of perfection. This book examines RS Cosworth authenticity, outlining standard specifications alongside in-depth color photography of outstanding examples of the breed. From body panels and trim to turbochargers and tires; from interior fabrics and paint schemes to shock absorbers and stickers, Ford's factory-original fitments are covered in comprehensive detail.

Ford has been making special performance cars in Europe since the 1960s. From the original "Fast Ford", the Cortina GT Mk 1 of 1963, to the very latest Focus RS and StreetKa, family after family of sporty models have been developed, sold and campaigned in motorsport. The "Fast Ford" fraternity is one of the largest of all motoring enthusiasts movements, with a vast number of one-make events held in the UK and overseas. This book is a model-by-model guide and accurate reference source for the enthusiast. The book contains: details of all significant "Fast Fords"; the behind-the-scenes development story, evolution and technical specifications for each model; many previously unpublished photographs from the Ford RS brand over the years; full details of the rally cars, including the Escorts, Sierra RS Cosworth and the Focus WRC; and details of world-beating racing cars such as the Lotus-Cortina, Capri RS2600 and Sierra RS500 Cosworth.

The Escort RS Cosworth, which started rallying in 1993, was one of the most ingenious designs of all time, and eventually became Ford's most successful since the legendary Escorts of the 1970s. Because it was smaller, lighter, and more nimble than any of the Sierras, the combination of Cosworth power, four-wheel-drive transmission, and an effective aerodynamic package made it a Rally Giant in all conditions. With five World victories in its first season, and success all around the world in later years, it was seen in every continent, in all conditions. To meet a change in regulations, the Escort World Rally Car took over in 1997, and also enjoyed years of success.