Thursday 22nd September 2011

Video: Escort vs Fiesta Rally Battle

Okay, so they're not setting stage times, but it is interesting to see what has happened during three decades of rallying history

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What a difference a day makes, they say. That being the case, what sort of a difference do 30 years make?

Rather a lot, in the case of Ford rally cars, it seems. Just how much is made clear in this video, which pitches a Mk2 Escort against an R2-spec FWD rally Fiesta.

The Mk2 in question belongs to a certain Gwyndaf Evans, rally legend and 1996 British Rally Champion, while the Fiesta is the steed of his son, 2010 British Junior Rally Champ Elfyn.

So...lairy Group 4 escort or pointy, grippy techno-fest Fiesta? We know which we like more, but you can find out more about both of them by watching the video, or by getting hold of a copy of the current issue of Motorsport News...

 

[Hellbound]

Go to sleep!

[Decibel]

they didn't mention the respective times?!

[mat205125]

Hmmmmm .... Escort!!

[KemP]

Escort for me please. And what a great looking business Phil Mills has.

[Mr Subtle]

Escort.

[Stew2000]

Sierra

[xe mini]

Escorts love them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPjCQzxFo3E&fea...

[epom]

that escort is a beaut !!

[philis]

That fiesta just summs up modern day rallying for me, no matter how hard i try, i just cannot get excited about it.

[GroundEffect]

If they put a S2000 or WRC spec Fiesta on there, it might have been a different story. The R2s aren't exactly spectacular.

[Oddball RS]

GroundEffect said:

If they put a S2000 or WRC spec Fiesta on there, it might have been a different story. The R2s aren't exactly spectacular.

Like wise a Millington engined Mk2, whats the max power level at the moment nearly 350Bhp?

[GravelBen]

Oddball RS said:

Like wise a Millington engined Mk2, whats the max power level at the moment nearly 350Bhp?

I know of one supposedly (I heard heard it from a bloke who said he knows the bloke who built it) running around 380 from a 2.5 duratec lump.

[ArnageWRC]

Which one will get the fans out in the middle of winter??
Modern low powered FWD hatches just don't cut it.....

[Legacywr]

Escort!

[johnhenry]

ArnageWRC said:

Which one will get the fans out in the middle of winter??
Modern low powered FWD hatches just don't cut it.....

nail...head

The newer cars are a great triumph of technology, but it just seems more about the car than the driver (dont get me wrong the drivers are fantastically skilled!). But I would argue they are no more of a triumph than the older cars combined with the driver. the driver (as with most forms of motorsport) was just more 'out there' back in the day. It really does stand as testament to the escort's design etc etc there is still such high demand for such a pure driving machine.


Edit: god i love the sound of a twin cam

Edited by johnhenry on Thursday 22 September 10:38

[Tonsko]

G. Evans said:

When I get out of the Escort, I just have this HUGE grin on my face. I think that says it all really.

Looks nicer too!

[Stew2000]

Tonsko said:

G. Evans said:

When I get out of the Escort, I just have this HUGE grin on my face. I think that says it all really.

Looks nicer too!

And it sounds like a car.

[Steamer]

Love the Escort rehabilitation unit!!

+ Gwyndaf! Such a nice, humble chap.

[thewheelman]

The MK2 Escort is widely acknowledged to be the greatest rally car ever by many high profile rally drivers. Well, they can't all be wrong, so it's the Escort for me

[AndyMil]

Ezzy everytime!!

Rally Yorkshire this Saturday, loads of historics entered!