1994 Ford Escort RS Cosworth Group N Rally Car

Stuart Turner of Ford was the leading light in pushing through the Ford Escort Rally program in the 1990s. Previously, the Sierra Cosworth had maintained a competitive presence in world rallying, but a new genre of rally cars was emerging. The brief now called for a smaller, lighter car to challenge the rapidly emerging cars from Japan. Indeed, Turner had cited that nearly a third of all cars entered in a previous national rally were Japanese in order to encourage the Ford decision makers in Detroit to 'sign off' the Escort Cosworth rally program. They still took some robust persuading as the production model was only available in front wheel drive and the RS Escort was going to be far removed from the production item destined for the 'masses'. Worse still, production would have to be outsourced to Karmann, Germany. Two major considerations swayed Ford's decision to go ahead; firstly, the new Escort was being labelled rather bland by the press and needed a 'halo/hero car' and, secondly, the drivetrain for the new rally car was the well proven, world beater system from the Sierra Cosworth. Turner's plan had been to produce a 'pizza' rally car; Sierra Cosworth base with an Escort body-shell topping. A prototype was entered in a somewhat obscure rally in Spain, it won, and Ford's Marketing machine quickly seized the opportunity with an advertising campaign that meant they could only continue wholesale with the program, spawning the mantra, 'Everything we do is driven by you'.

On its WRC debut 1993 Monte Carlo Rally, the RS Escorts of Miki Biasion and François Delecour led until the final stages. It was a success, and provided Ford with ten WRC victories from 1993 - 97 for Miki Biasion, François Delecour, Franco Cunico, Tommi Mäkinen and Carlos Sainz.

Offered here is a wonderful opportunity to acquire a genuine icon of the 90's, with period rally history. Built on a genuine Ford Cosworth Motorsport shell it is understood this RHD example was assembled in 1994.

Upon completion, the car was registered F59 ONP and rallied by John Lay with co-driver Shaune Clorley in the 1995 Kerridge National Rally. In the 1996 Season the car was entered in to the Rally of Wales with co-driver Tim Hobbs and later that season in to the legendary Network-Q RAC Rally. The car was then used in the 1997 Bulldog Rally again with Shaune Clorley as co-driver.

In 1998 the car was sold to a Mr P Jones, however we have not been able to discover what rallies the car competed in under his ownership. What we do know is that the car was later registered XIL 5451 in 2003 and sold to a Mr H Peat in 2004. We understand that Mr Peat refreshed the car by finishing it in Martini Livery and rallied it in a number of UK Rallies.

Little is known what became of the car until purchased by our vendor in 2010. By this stage the car had been subject to a second refresh and finished in the livery it wears today. Our vendor had every intention to rally the car, however due to work commitments the car was never fully put to the test, has been used only on occasion and never in true anger on stages.

Offered for sale once again the car will need some recomissioning to be eligible for rallying once again namely new in-date seats, Harnesses and fuel cell. At time of writing this description the car is due to be taken to Turbo Systems for a thorough service.

An icon of the era with period rally history... what more could you want!