Our five favourite Sierra RS500 videos
As we're celebrating the Sierra at the moment, here are PH's best - what are yours?
To mark 30 years since the RS500's introduction, the 2017 Autosport International show features a stunning collection of super Sierras at the NEC. Indeed they're located very close to the PH stand, so the show's two best attractions are in the same place!
As a final Sierra celebration, we've trawled the YouTube archives (someone has to do it, right?) for our favourite vids of the RS500 in action. Hopefully they will brighten up a bleak January Sunday if you're not at the show. Alternative suggestions are, of course, more than welcome!
Soper v. Rouse, Brands Hatch 1988
The famous RS500 vid, one we've covered on PH before but one that most certainly deserves another outing. Not only do you have a pair of BTCC heroes in two of the most iconic liveries for Sierras, but the racing is close, fast and fair.
Swapping places at the tremendously fast GP layout of Brands Hatch, this is a race video you just can't take your eyes away from. With Murray Walker on commentating duty as well, this really is BTCC at its finest.
A year later than the Soper epic Andy Rouse was involved with another captivating RS500 duel, this time with Tim Harvey at the Birmingham Superprix.
Why is it worth watching? Well if you thought 500hp+ was intimidating on a race track, wait until you see it on a bumpy and narrow public road. With Armco either side. The cars pitch and bob on the way into corners then slew their way sideway on the exit, seemingly only millimetres from the barriers. That's before Tim Harvey nearly collects a backmarker too... Brilliant stuff.
Now of course the RS500 enjoyed success in more places than just the UK; in Australia it also proved to be the tin-top racer of choice.
This video brings together both Peter Brock and Bathurst, two of the greatest Australian motorsport icons, with the RS500. There's a race cam too for this qualifying lap, showing just how hard it is to get the car around Mount Panorama. Listen carefully and you can hear the chuffs and whistles of that YBB over the cheers of the crowd as the car ducks and dives around a lap. Proper track. Proper driving too!
Wouldn't it be great if those classic Sierra battles were filmed on better cameras? Probably. But now we have historic touring cars to recreate them! Here's another Australian vid, with an RS500 chasing a model that eventually succeeded it as the dominant touring car: the Skyline GT-R. Here we see not only just how rapid a Sierra still appears to this day, but also how challenging it remains to get the best from. The driver is battling the whole way around Morgan Park with the Sierra's power, now captured in glorious high definition. The GT-R would appear to be even quicker though...
1988 Tourist Trophy, Silverstone
While it would have been great to have featured some DTM Sierra videos - mainly to get a look at that stunning Lui car in action - they have proved hard to come by. As a best compromise this vid is from the 1988 Silverstone Tourist Trophy, where drivers came from all over the globe to see who really was fastest.
This half-hour special features Rouse battling superbly with DTM driver Armin Hahne, plus Dick Johnson leads for long periods. Silverstone seems to suit the Sierras so well also, the vast track really allowing them to romp along (indeed the fastest lap was in excess of 110mph).
The Tourist Trophy race was 311 miles along, with driver changes too and drama all the way. For any touring car fans, even if you don't love Sierras all that much, this is a great video. Enjoy!
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This clip is quite good there is a long period with no commentary and the 2 Rs500's battling hard Brock vs Bond.
https://youtu.be/n-VzMyeyPdo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ApLzeAFsao
End of race 1 vs M3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq99g4nNzf8
Fastest ever lap of Bathurst by a sierra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zgIwRpKNCY
The ETC Texaco Eggenberger cars were always amongst my favourite race cars - particularly because of the superbly simple & effective livery.
I spent many happy hours at various race tracks in the UK & abroad watching these wonderful race cars.
Was also lucky enough to get behind the wheel of one of the Andy Rouse ICS RS 500's at Silverstone for a few quick (ish) laps of the GP circuit many years ago & will always be grateful for that experience.
No wonder the BTCC guys loved racing them so much.
Such a shame that they are long gone & we now have the relative dullness of the NGTC cars.
One of the genuine Eggenberger Group A Sierra's is for sale in a small country town in NZ
Here:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/cars/ford/auction-...
How original is the car has it been restored? and will it be raced again in anger?
t.How original is the car has it been restored? and will it be raced again in anger?
Car is very original and unrestored. Needs some light restoration to bring it up to scratch but it's a lovely bit of kit.
No plans to race the car. I'll display it as do demo laps and such but that's it. Don't want to wreck it...!
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