Ford RS 200
In the early to mid 1980s, Group B rallying was one of the most exciting, yet dangerous periods in rallying’s history. The era saw manufacturers such as Audi, Peugeot and Lancia create some of the most beautiful looking (and sounding) cars in the history of rallying. Ford, a company who already had a sound reputation in rallying, aimed to get in on the act in 1986 with the famous RS200 model, but tragedy meant the car’s rallying career would be short lived.
Ford’s project to create a car to compete in Group B began in 1984, with Ford creating an all new vehicle, styled by the company’s famous ‘Ghia’ design studio, and featuring a lightweight fibreglass body. Power came from a 1.8 turbocharged Ford Cosworth engine, with the car developing horsepower between 250hp in road-going trim, up to 450hp in racing specification. Production was completed by the Reliant car company, who had considerable experience in building fibreglass cars. In all, 200 cars were built, enough for the car to be homologated for Group B rallying competition.
Ford had high hopes for the 1986 season, as the car competed against its Group B rivals for the first time. The team to beat was Lancia, with drivers Henri Toivonen, Miki Biasion and Markku Alen campaigning the Lancia Delta S4.
Sadly, tragedy was to strike in the second round of the series in Portugal. Portuguese champion Joaquim Santos, driving over the crest of a hill, was distracted by spectators stood in the road and lost control of his RS200, plunging into the crowd in a terrifying accident that left three spectators dead.
The tragedy was to continue later in the year in the ‘Tour de Corse’ held in Corsica. Toivonen, the series leader, flew off the road whilst leading the event and crashed into a ravine. The impact blew the Lancia up, and the talented young Finn was to die along with his American co-driver Sergio Cresto. These accidents, coupled with other he accidents, lead the FIA to ban Group B cars for 1987, rendering the RS200 obsolete for rally competition.
Despite this, the car was to enjoy a successful career in the all-action sport of rallycross. Unsold RS200s were sold by Ford as private road cars and today the car has a cult following amongst performance car enthusiasts, with many cars active on the rallycross scene to this day, along with a small, but cherished group of road cars that are cherished by the owners and admired by performance car fans.
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Tags: Motorsport