1987 ADA Group C Le Mans Race Car

It was only after some ten years of association from 1977 that the ADA Engineering partnership of Chris Crawford and Ian Harrower were able to put the ADA badge on their own race car. The early business was involved with engineering design and consultancy, which was greatly enhanced with the acquisition of the Fittipaldi Formula One operation that had disbanded in 1983. Running the ex-Works Gebhardt C2 in 1985 the team enjoyed considerable success in the World Endurance Championship. In 1986 they had a class win at Le Mans 24hrs, this saw them eighth overall and the only non-Porsche in the top ten. As a company rapidly growing in confidence the decision was made to build their own car in 1987. ADA #02 showed promise, leading for part of the Brands Hatch 1000km in July, only to be destroyed later in the year at Kyalami.

In 1988, the ADA Engineering entry for the World Sportscar Championship would be the next evolution, chassis #03, a culmination of the experience gained from their previous efforts and a now run by a seriously 'case hardened' endurance race team. The first challenge of the year was at the Daytona 24hr where an encouraging 18th position in qualifying resulted in 88 laps of racing before retirement. For the Jerez 800km Johnny Herbert was brought into the team. This may have been an Eddie Jordan management ploy to give his EJR F3000 driver track time for an upcoming round at the circuit. Rounds at Jarama and Silverstone followed before the main event in June.

For the 1988 Le Mans 24hr race Ian Harrower was joined by Japanese drivers Jiro Yoneyama and Hideo Fukuyama, with funding from Gains, the car was finished in an orange livery.An early setback saw the team then drop into a steady rhythm catalogued by the usual attrition rate and replacement of parts brought about by 24 hours of racing. After race long fights with the Spices, Tigas and ALD's they finished 18th overall and a very creditable 2nd in Class C2. Later in the year the ADA achieved a second place at the Brands Hatch 1000km. For the next two years ADA #03 went on to contest the BRDC C2 Championship and some Interseries rounds in Europe with success in 1992.

Offered today in its livery from Le Mans 1988, this ADA Group C represents a fantastic opportunity as Group C racing continues to enthrall. With continuous input and attention from recognised experts #03 is properly engineered and ready to participate in the prestigious Group C calendar and the Masters Series. More importantly this is a very cost affective entry, reliable and usable, with an ongoing investment potential that comes from successful Le Mans 24HR finishing credentials. It will need some mechanical recommissioning prior to racing.