president`s report - Ford RS Owners Club Australia

Print Post PP:255003/10053
APR—JUN 2012
CELEBRATING
30
YEARS
www.rsownersclubaust.com.au
1
CLUB OFFICIALS
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Magazine Editor
General Committee
Membership Sec.
Merchandise
Brett Shields
0422 926 400
[email protected]
Owen Shield
0450 285725
[email protected]
Mark Hockey
0419 661 170
treasurer@@rsownersclubaust.com.au
Stephen Roser
0427 814 804
[email protected]
Stuart Neal
0410 703 843
[email protected]
Wayne Champion
0417 496 484
[email protected]
Tom Chaplin
(02) 4944-4144
[email protected]
Events Coordinator Sue Shield
0415-494-314
Webmaster
Arthur Thornton
0408 477 435
[email protected]
[email protected]
Ford RS Owners Club (Australia) Inc
P.O. Box 4309
Homebush South
NSW 2140
www.rsownersclubaust.com.au
The views and opinions expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the editor or
officers of the Ford RS Owners Club Australia (Inc). The Ford RS Owners Club of
Australia (Inc) does not necessarily endorse advertisements that appear within this
newsletter.
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CONTENTS
Page 9
Page 24
Page 28
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 14
Page 17
Page 18
Page 20
Page 23
Page 24
Page 27
Page 28
Page 32
Page 36
Page 38
Page 39
President’s Report
Secretary’s Report
Events Report
From the Editor
ACT News
The Next Generation
Out and About
Capri Registrar
Sports Scene
Vale
Mk2 Escort Registrar
Sierra RS500
Spec Sheet
V8 Brutes English Cousin
Thirty Years of RSOC
Merchandise
For the Enthusiast
Coming Events
Deadline for next magazine is 20th July
REGIONAL CO-ORDINATORS
ACT Region
Clayton McCoy
[email protected]
NSW South Coast
Stuart Neal
0410 703 843
[email protected]
Queensland Region
Jon Cornell
0420 833 520
[email protected]
Victoria Region
Frank York
0418 365 712
[email protected]
HISTORIC / CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION
NSW Plate Registrar Robert Ramsey
(02) 6571-1045
[email protected]
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The organization of the 30th Anniversary Show and National Concourse is, unfortunately, running into difficulties. Mark Hockey and others have been toiling away
however despite a number of calls for assistance by members, none has been forthcoming. There is a significant amount of work required to organize an event on this
scale and we cannot realistically expect that burden to fall onto a small number of people. Members must understand that large events are a co-operative effort and that they
simply will not be organized unless more people are prepared to offer assistance. The
start reality is that unless more assistance is available the event may need to be significantly scaled back or worse, cancelled. So I ask all of you to think about how you
may be able to help and step up to offer some assistance. Mark Hockey and Stephen
Roser would love to hear from you.
At the recent Committee meeting a decision was taken to introduce more events, including a monthly mid-week event. The idea is that we meet up on an evening once a
month to take a very quick run and then enjoy a meal together. The time commitment
is significantly less than a longer weekend event, and hopefully that will encourage
some of the cars out of the garage. The destination is the Anglers Rest Hotel in
Brooklyn; which was chosen because it is scenic, offers the opportunity to drive some
parts of the Old Pacific Highway and hopefully is also convenient to members who
live in Sydney, on the Central Coast and perhaps further north. The first event is on
19 May. We will be meeting at the old tollgates at Berowra at 7.00 p.m. I hope to see
many of you on the night.
Other events currently being organized include a weekend at South West Rocks where
we will be meeting up with our Queensland members who will be driving down. Sue
Shield is working on the event and we hope to circulate details shortly.
Later in the year we will also be driving to Temora to attend a flying weekend at the
Temora Aviation Museum, where we meet up with the members of the RS Owners
Club of Victoria. You will have the opportunity to look at plenty of RS cars, meets
fellow RS owners and enthusiasts and watch some historic Warbirds return to the
skies. What more could you want? Our Victorian friends are organizing the event and
we will circulate the details as soon as they are available.
It has also been an exciting time for the club recently with some interesting new cars
making an appearance. Mark Hockey has finally completed his MK I Mexico and it is
a credit to him, and Sue Shield is now driving her Granada Scorpio. With any luck the
impending completion of another restoration is also imminent.
Brett Shields
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SECRETARY’S REPORT
Hi All,
Hope you have been well, well what can I say, the club is growing and getting better. It great to see some fellow RS owners
out and about. Well done to John Connell and Frank York for
getting some great turnouts to their regional events. Its only
wants Us to do more and attend more events further away from home, hope to see you
soon!
I must comment on Stephen Roser for getting a good magazine out, well done Mate.
We have some big events coming up and with a few members heading over to the UK
to see how they do the RS scene, so it will be busy. But life‟s busy and you have to live
every moment, so dust the cars off and get them out there. They need a drive.
I have been sorry to hear of some health issues with some members young and old, best
treatment is to drive your RS. Best wishes.
Cheers
Owen Shield
REGISTRARS
Escort RS Mk1
Escort RS Mk2
Capri RS
Cosworth RS
Focus RS
Wayne Champion
0417 496 484
[email protected]
Peter Cox
0425 355 742
[email protected]
Owen Shield
0450 285 725
[email protected]
Graeme Knight
0416 234 501
[email protected]
Stathi Messaris
0412 526 432
[email protected]
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EVENT COORDINATOR
Hello, G‟day, and hope you and your cars are in the best of
health.
Yes, I have now been officially welcomed to the position of Events Co-Ordinator. I
am hoping the requirements of the role will develop as we plan and do more events,
but initially I want to organise the major Sydney events, and where possible assist
and encourage members to get their cars out of the garage (or megashed) on a regular
basis. Any and all suggestions are welcome, and the back end of this year promises
to be hectic and possibly spectacular!
Are you aware that the first Sunday of every month is church day”? This day is a
designated club plate day, anyone on club plates can drive their car as long as you
advise club plate registrar, Robert Ramsay, you can take your car out for a much
needed breather. Now I will be organising a couple of runs in the Hunter Region, if
you are elsewhere, contact us and get it out there and get some cars there!
We will be organising a half-way run QLD/NSW (My goodness they are keen up
there, especially the Focus owners), possibly to Coffs or South West Rocks. More
details will be released as they are finalised.
A Mid-way run VIC/NSW is planned for the Temora area, to take in a flying mile
day, again, details will be released as they are finalised.
Sydney Mid Week runs are underway, details can be found on the club website. In
general it is a Sydney run to the Anglers Rest at Brooklyn, on a Sunday evening.
Time to blow the cobwebs away!
MAJOR EVENTS
I know you are all getting very excited about Muscle Car Masters, and I want to have
an absolutely awesome club display, but before that happens we have several other
runs to work on.
ALL FORD DAY Is July 29th.
We have booked 25 spots, but surely we can do better. If you are not aware, a decent percentage of our committee are heading to UK in June/July, to check out the
major show scene. Stephen Roser is the main organiser for All Ford Day, but will be
on the car trip of a lifetime. I am asking you all now to indicate that you will be attending, so we can have all the arrangements in place before they all head off. Please
email either Stephen or myself ASAP.
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MUSCLE CAR MASTERS is September 2nd.
OK, calm down. I told you I want an awesome display, and with the responses so far I
have 13 Sierra‟s, of 23 cars, we are well on the way. I have an amazing response
from interstate, where are you NSW cars???? This will outdo the previous biggest
gathering of 12 Sierra‟s, (yes, I know, providing they all attend). I have requested 40
spots. I do need to give the details of each car to the ARDC, (rego), but nothing confidential. If you know where there are more of the mighty Sierra, please round them up,
and get them to join the club, and please participate. There will be spaces for the Focus
cars, but the emphasis this year is on the Sierra, and I would love to have to ask for
more spaces.
30th ANNIVERSARY SHOW is October 14th, Homebush in Sydney.
This is planned as an undercover show, with exhibit cars, and an all out effort to celebrate the 30th Anniversary year of the RSOCA, and 25 years of the Sierra. Details will
be published as they are confirmed.
CLASSIC SMALL FORD MUSTER (ACT) is 26-28 Oct.
Again, check out the website for details, a well planned and enjoyable weekend, with
participants from ACT/NSW/VIC, well planned and executed. This is a full weekends
entertainment, events all week long from Friday evening, closing Sunday lunchtime.
You may not be aware, but in 2011 there were 3 RS3100‟s (white ,blue and green) , but
there were 5 owners! What do we have to do to get you out there, this year, 2012 is the
challenge year for the RS 31‟s, how many can we get there to participate, over to you.
One, Sebring Red, confirmed from Newy, see you again Mark, Russ, Ted, and, Steve,
if you don‟t want to drive the yellow one, I will drive her. With great pleasure. Challenge thrown down!!
Sue Shield
SAFETY SERVICE CENTRE
EFI Specialists, Brakes and Clutches
All Fords from Anglias to Zephyrs
Contact Mark Dilanian—Proprietor
Phone: 02 9451 4761
Email: [email protected]
1 Currie Road Forestville NSW 2087
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ACT NEWS
There were 3 Focus RS Mark 2 at the All Ford Day Canberra 2012; 2 UG and 1 PB.
That is 50% of the 6 cars in the ACT so not such a bad turnout.
As for the 2011 day, most of the people attending the event seemed not to know too
much about our cars. At lot of those who did gained their knowledge from Top Gear
You Tube videos! There were a few RS tragics, besides the owners that is, who enjoyed engaging us about 'what the car is really like'. The front wheel drive was very
frequently mentioned by these folk.
I found that a fact sheet on the dash attracted a few readers and promoted discussions
between spectators and owners. I will definitely do this again at future car shows.
As usual, GT Falcons in various iterations were well represented, along with Mustangs
and the more recent offerings from FPV. A walk around the lawns in front of Old Parliament House was rewarded with very clean Lotus Cortina, an Escort or two and a
couple of Capris, one an RS 3100, on display.
A Ford GT gained the lions share of attention with a Shelby King of the Road also attracting many admiring looks. We are getting pretty good at this car display thing now
and folding chairs, a table, cheese, biscuits, dips and drinks helped sustain us through
the business of strolling around, talking rubbish and taking pictures.
The Canberra All Ford Day is a good event and I would recommend it to any of our
NSW or further afield brethren seeking an interesting day out.
Cheers
Neil Mackinnon
8
THE NEXT GENERATION
Ford announced the release of the new Focus ST in overseas markets in May.
Ford‟s exciting new 250PS Focus ST, one of the UK‟s most keenly-anticipated performance hatchbacks, will go on sale from 1st June 2012, priced from £21,995 on the
road.
Powered by an advanced, direct-injection 2.0-litre, all-alloy, turbocharged, fourcylinder EcoBoost engine, the new Ford Focus ST develops 250PS, yet remains capable of returning 39.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 169g/km – 20 per cent better than its
predecessor.
Unique suspension, non-linear variable-ratio steering and performance brakes have all
been specifically tuned, while the striking central exhaust, imposing trapezoidal front
grille and even the Tangerine Scream paint option which were inspired by the original
Ford Focus ST Concept, have been brought to production.
Focus ST will be available in both hatchback and estate bodystyles, proving that practicality need not compromise style or performance, with a high level of comfort, safety
and convenience features standard on both.
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Standard UK specification includes Ford Power keyless start, Recaro seats, DAB
radio, Bluetooth and 18in alloy wheels, with the range-topping ST3 model adding
heated, leather seats, Bi-Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and keyless
entry.
Additional sports styling options include rado-grey alloys wheels, red brake callipers
and illuminated scuff plates.
The UK‟s fascination with fast Fords is underlined by the sales performance of the
previous two Focus ST generations, which exceeded 35,000 between 2002 and 2010.
“Ever since the arrival of the legendary GT40, Britain has become the spiritual home
for performance Fords - and demand from UK enthusiast customers has always been
strong,” said Mark Ovenden, Ford Britain managing director. “This latest Focus ST is
a global car that will excite customers around the world – but especially those in Britain.”
As Ford‟s first global performance car, the new Focus ST was developed jointly by
Ford‟s Team RS in Europe and its Special Vehicles Team (SVT) in the United
States. The car goes on sale in 40 countries, from this year.
Its UK debut will coincide
with a starring role in the new
all-action movie adaptation of
British TV cop classic, The
Sweeney, with actors Ray
Winstone and “Plan B” Ben
Drew playing Regan and
Carter.
Ford Media release
10
Late last year there was plenty being written up that gave the impression the
next generation Focus RS was virtually a done deal no doubt influenced by
statements from Ford’s global boss for small cars, Gunnar Herrmann
“I think we stay with our two-wheel-drive strategy [for the new RS], which I think
was well executed [for the previous version],” says Herrmann, Ford‟s German vehicle line director for C-segment (small vehicle) platform.
“I think [more power for the next RS] is sustainable. With the limited edition RS500
[sold only in the UK] we went up to 350 horsepower [261kW] and some of our development units we have them up to 380hp [283kW]. And we even moved torque
[upwards]. And then you really get into engine durability. But [the car] can handle
it.”
Motoring journalists were expecting the Series 3 Focus RS could appear in late 2013
or 2014. The „Revoknuckle‟ suspension would be retained due to its success in limiting torque steer when a decent amount of power is fed through the front wheels.
Herrmann admitted that last
Focus RS‟s Volvo-sourced
2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo
was a great engine for tuning
to achieve more power but in
future a Ford sourced 2.0litre four-cylinder turbo. The
version to appear in the Focus ST would have 184kW
while the engineers were
looking at a more powerful
version for the RS.
Interestingly the ST, which will appear in Aussie Ford showrooms this year, will
retain the European model designation. With the 5 cylinder engine being replaced
with a 4 cylinder donk the previous XR5 tag is now thought inappropriate.
The XR6 and XR8 names would be retained for Falcons but there has been a wholesale change in model designations. Ford Australia‟s sales and marketing boss, Beth
Donovan, says the ST badge makes sense as Ford has changed all the trim level titles
for the regular new Focus. “We went to Titanium from Ghia for Territory and then
on Focus, so nomenclature wise we‟re not going to be CL, LX or Zetec anymore,”
she says. “We‟re now Ambiente, Trend, Sport and Titanium.
“And as we introduce new models of passenger cars, that strategy follows. So from a
nomenclature perspective, if it‟s well thought out... [it works]. The [Focus] RS is a
good example of that. People knew what [the badge] was.
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“So from our perspective if we‟re going to bring it in it‟s going to be ST.”
Ford Australia is likely to use the ST badge again for the Fiesta XR4 replacement that
should appear later in 2012, but XR will remain for sporty Falcons.
“XR is an icon for Falcon,” says Donovan. “And I really think we can have both those
[badges] in the same stable. Customers identity with XR and Falcon; it‟s got really
strong heritage.”
However in June an article appeared on the Autocar magazine website indicating that
the next RS model could in fact be a Fiesta rather than a Focus. A new RS is virtually
guaranteed but since former SVT boss Jost Capito has left to head up VW‟s motorsport
operation Ford is apparently less certain about which direction the new car will take.
As the Fiesta is now a global car and is Ford‟s motorsport weapon of choice many
would see it as the logical basis for the next RS. After all the cars contesting the World
Rally Championship are called Fiesta RS WRC. However sales performance of the last
Focus RS were impressive and that will be a fact the company can‟t ignore.
Ford have a new Fiesta ST and it
is expected the engineers wouldn‟t have too much trouble boosting the specifications and performance to produce an RS
model. The Fiesta also makes
sense as apparently some Ford
Execs are not too keen on a 5
door RS model and with no three
door Focus model available
switching the RS model over to
the Fiesta makes sense.
However market forces then
come into play and the Focus,
being a bigger car, would have
certain advantages especially in
the US market. Being bigger and
by necessity more powerful than
the lighter Fiesta it would be able
to be priced higher and offer
Ford greater profitability.
Some have even said that Ford‟s experience with cars like the Racing Puma might
make it difficult for the Fiesta as well. The Racing Puma was commended as a great
driver‟s car but it was very expensive to produce. Fears are then raised about whether
the smaller Fiesta might struggle to match sales expectations.
12
It is one thing to produce a car that gets the thumbs up from the serious motoring
enthusiasts but achieving good sales figures means making the right decision to tap
into the largest possible market. Clearly Ford management, the marketing and engineering guys and the number crunchers have to put a lot of thought into this deci-
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OUT AND ABOUT
There were plenty of
events Club events
in NSW to choose
from in the early
part of the year. A
handful of cars attended the show at
Gnoo Blas. This was
interesting for the
variety of cars on
hand. It was also an
eye opener for anyone seeing the roads
used as the racetrack back in the Fifties and Sixties. The track was basically a triangular course on narrow country roads,. Considering the dubious quality of vehicle brakes
and tyres back in the day the fact that the front runners were averaging laps over 100
mph certainly gets your attention.
The Classic Ford Forum Cruise to the Central Coast also attracted a variety of cars but
these all bore the Ford oval. RS‟s of various models were there. A mint Escort Panel
looked very neat while performance models like Lotus Cortinas were there, as were a
number of early Prefects and Anglias. It was good to see Owen Shields RS3100 at the
event. Also this was the first time many of us had seen Arthur Thornton‟s V6 Capri.
Our own Bathurst run didn‟t attract the numbers that we had along last year but we saw
once again the old school and new school elements within the Club taking part. Who
14
would have thought you could get several Focus RS‟s together and not have one in
Ultimate Green.
Steamfest in Maitland attracted a number
of RSOC members who joined in with
the large number of restored and original
classics, hot rods and motor cycles.
There was plenty of variety amongst the
vehicles on display. Also market stalls
and a number of traders were at, or
nearby the show. The down side was the
weather which took a turn for the worse
during the course of the day.
15
The Caps Club put
on their annual British Ford Day show
at the Ettamogah
Pub in Rouse Hill.
The weather wasn‟t
a problem at this
event and it was a
good opportunity for
a number of us to
catch up and check
out the various British Fords on show.
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CAPRI REGISTRAR
Hi all,
Well two more RS3100s have hit the radar and their details have
been locked in, so that‟s 49 of the 50 (but I have been told there
was only 49). A couple of cars have left us to other lands. There are
two rumoured to be in New Zealand, I can confirm one. Also two have gone to the UK,
one Sebring Red and the other Olympic blue. But at least two Sebring Red car have
found their way over here, so we seem to be swapping cars one for one with the UK.
One off the best turnouts we have had lately has been the Capri Muster in the Act, with
three cars but five owners, so bring your RS31 this year if you‟re coming. If we get
more than five it will the best gathering for years.
On a personal note I have started to change my car to a more Aussie spec, as I have
removed the UK plates and stickers. I am looking
at fitting some Aussie decals to the front air dam,
and some mirrors, but have not decided on any I
like. See you all on the road somewhere.
CheeRS
Owen Shield
17
SPORTSCENE
Late last year Ford announced that they would be extending its participation in the FIA
World Rally Championship into 2012 and 2013 with the motorsport program run by
long term partner M-Sport, the British-based preparation company, which has successfully operated Ford‟s WRC activities since 1997.
M-Sport also stated that it had completed its ladder of opportunity, adding a first rung to
complete a structured path to take young and talented rally drivers from the grass-roots
to the top level in Ford Fiestas. From the entry-level MS1 car, drivers can progress via
the increasingly more powerful R2, S2000 and Regional Rally Car models to the topbilling World Rally Car.
Back in March Ford also announced that they will be running works Fiesta models in
the 2012 British Rally Championship. The move adds another step in Ford‟s „ladder of
opportunity‟, which allows aspiring rally drivers to develop from motorsport‟s grass
roots to the top using Ford cars.
In 2012 the British Rally Championship is a two-wheel-drive series, making it the ideal
platform for R2-level Ford Fiesta rally cars.
18
The climax of the 2011 World Rally Championship at Rally GB saw Fiesta RS World
Rally Cars claim eight of the top 10 positions in the event, with the Ford Abu Dhabi
World Rally Team‟s Jari-Matti Latvala taking the top spot at the event.
Within weeks, Fiesta had also won the FIA Middle East Rally Championship and the
FIA African Rally Championship, while in South American „Maxi Rally‟ specification,
it also took the 2011 Argentine Rally Championship crown for Federico Villagra.
“Without doubt, 2011 was a good time to be a Ford Fiesta driver on the international
rallying scene,” said Anthony Ireson, Ford Britain marketing director. “Now we‟re
strengthening both our domestic UK rallying presence and our own ladder of opportunity, by bringing Fiesta to the BRC.”
“This is great news and I am delighted that Ford has decided to join the BRC,” said
championship manager, Mark Taylor.
“It further underlines that our decision to keep in step with current trends by making
the championship eligible for modern-day, front-wheel-drive cars, is the right one. I am
also pleased for our teams, who will now have an even greater opportunity to represent
the manufacturer of the car they are driving.”
Ford Media Release
19
VALE - ALAN MANN
Alan Mann, who died on March 21st aged 75, was a highly successful motor racing
team owner who played a key role in the Ford Motor Company‟s worldwide Total Performance programme of the 1960s.
Alan Mann Racing, based in Byfleet, won numerous major championships including
the British Saloon Car Championship, the European Touring Car Challenge and the
FIA World GT Championship for Manufacturers, all with a variety of specially prepared Ford cars. Many of the leading race and rally drivers of the time were employed
by Alan Mann Racing, including Sir John Whitmore, Jacky Ickx, Bosse Ljungfeldt,
Graham Hill, Frank Gardner , Sir Jackie Stewart and Bruce McLaren.
An accomplished amateur
race driver in his own right
in the late 1950s and early
1960s, Alan gained his
apprenticeship in the motor
trade in partnership with
his friend and fellow racer,
Roy Pierpoint. They ran
the Wayside Garage at
Rusper, near Gatwick, and
raced at the weekends.
The link with Ford began
in 1962 when Alan joined
a South Coast Ford dealership, Andrews of SouthAlan Mann (second from right) at 1964 Spa 24 Hour race wick, soon revitalising the
sales operation and then
starting an Andrews racing operation, with Jimmy Blumer driving the garage‟s Cortina
GT. Their success led to an invitation from Ford in the USA to take part in the Marlboro 12Hrs race in August 1963. The Ford of Britain Cortinas of the Willment and Andrews teams were only supposed to beat the Volvos that had been winning the class in
previous races but they finished first and second outright in the race.
That sensational result created Alan‟s first big break and at the age of 27 he felt driven
to go it alone and set up Alan Mann Racing, which opened at the beginning of 1964.
Instead of operating as a team seeking sponsorship, Alan Mann Racing was contracted
to Ford and operated as a business. Success soon came when Bosse Ljungfeldt‟s Alan
Mann-run Ford Falcon was fastest on every stage of the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally.
Thanks only to the handicap system used in that event then, Ljungfeldt was placed second in the results to Paddy Hopkirk‟s works Mini.
20
Frank Gardner in an Alan Mann Racing Group 5 Escort at the Nürburgring in 1968.
Alan Mann Racing remained extremely busy for the next seven years, chalking up
countless victories, mainly with Ford Falcons, Mustangs, Lotus-Cortinas, Shelby Cobra
Daytona Coupés and Escorts. Alan also developed the lightweight Ford GT40, powered
by the 4.7-litre engine, as be believed strongly that it was the way to win the Le Mans
24Hrs in 1966. He was disappointed to be over-ruled by Ford, whose 7-litre Mk II cars
did take the top three places at Le Mans that year.
When the big-engined sports prototypes were sidelined by a change in the rules, Alan
embarked on his boldest venture, the beautiful Ford F3L of 1968. This radical machine
was powered by the then new Ford-Cosworth DFL Formula 1 engine. Designed in Byfleet by Len Bailey, the F3L proved fast enough to take pole positions, set fastest laps
and lead major races everywhere it went but it was a matter of regret that poor reliability prevented it from finishing a single race.
As the Ford Motor Company‟s policy was changing through 1969, Alan pulled out of
motor sport and switched to a career in specialised aviation. He bought Fairoaks aerodrome in Surrey, developing it and creating a number of very profitable businesses
there.
Around the turn of the century he revived Alan Mann Racing, which continues to this
day, running Ford competition cars of the 1960s in major Historic race meetings.
Alan, who was born on August 22nd, 1936, completed his autobiography shortly before
his death, which will be published later this year by MRP. After a long illness, Alan
died peacefully in his sleep.
Ford Media Release
21
VALE - ALAN MANN Cont.
An article about Alan Mann appeared in
the Feb 2012 issue of Motor Sport magazine. This covered the many race and
rally campaigns that he ran for Ford. It
also included some interesting observations from a man who was directly involved in a lot of top level motorsport.
Commenting on the unsuccessful Ford
F3L sports car he said “We could never get it to last for more then two hours at a time.
It was designed by Len Bailey who we inherited from Ford and the whole thing came
about because we had the chance to use the DFV engine. That was too good an opportunity to pass up.”
On Frank Gardner he recalled “He was a fast lad but perhaps not quite as fast as Whitmore. He also had his own unique way of describing what a car was doing. When we
were testing he‟d come out with all this stuff and we‟d have no idea what he was talking about! We did two seasons without the cars picking up so much as a scratch,
though.”
“ We can come to you or you can come to us” Mark Hockey
27 Years Auto Care Experience!
Based in Sydney, NSW
22
Proprietor
and Club
Member
MK2 ESCORT REGISTRAR
Hi all,
As Mk2 Registrar I like to keep an eye out for new products. Recently Peter Mellander
has embarked on remanufacturing some impossible to get parts for the Mk2 Escort,
mostly rubber items.
So far I have purchased from Peter the bonnet rubbers (set of 4), bonnet stops (pair),
bonnet rear centre stay (1), park brake dust boots on backing plates (pair) which have
all been of the highest quality.
I see Peter also is doing the accelerator pedal pad, RS2000/rally pack gearknob and
rear shock absorber hats, RS2000 rear bumper plugs and boot spoilers. The effort, that
Peter is applying to the replacement parts for our beloved Escorts is to be highly commended. These items will sell without effort and we will all benefit from Peters hard
labour. Keep an eye online, Peter sells these products on ebay and through the forums.
Also on a different note, it was recently brought to my attention that there is a company
in WA that can refurbish old seatbelts. So I had to test them out. You can do most
things to get your interior prefect but not much could be done about seatbelts, so I
thought.
These guys can legally rebuild your belts, I spoke
to Daniel on the phone about re-belting some Escort Mk2 seatbelts. He assured me, it‟s not a problem. Daniel phoned me to let me know the belts
had arrived and it won‟t be long before they are
on their way back to me. A week and a half later
the belts returned. It‟s normally quicker than that
but Easter got in the way.
They re-belted all seat belts, two fronts, three
rears, blasted and repainted reel holders, what can I say, the workmanship is fantastic.
The belts also come with a certificate to cover the refurb, if you should ever have any
trouble whilst registering the car.
They don‟t have replacement latches, so if your latches have broken plastic sections on
them, that‟s how they will come back. Best to send good fixtures over for the best results.
For all five belts the total was $595 with shipping. Fronts are $120 each to do. It‟s well
worth the money, they look superb.
Look them up. http://www.seatbeltsolutions.com.au or give them a call (08) 9258 3666.
Peter Cox
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SIERRA RS500
BATHURST AUSTRALIA 1987
In 1987 saw the start of the dominance of
a Ford Rallye Sport vehicle in touring car
racing, something that had not been seen
for many a year. We are talking about the
Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth, which
would remain dominant until the abandonment of Group A racing.
Back in May 2010, Klaus Niedzwiedz
made a surprising apology, in an interview
while taking part in the 24hr production
car race at the Nurburgring. The apology
was for the 1987 Bathurst 1000 scandal
that saw him and his team mates disqualified from their one-two finish after their
Ford Texaco Sierra RS500s were found to
have cheated 25 years ago.
The world touring car championship had
been a very good idea. The championship
had been mainly supported by Ford and
BMW, as in the past. The competition
between the two manufactures would
bring back memories of the days in the
mid 70s of the RS3100 Capri‟s and the
BMW CSL‟s. With all this competitiveness between the two works teams, the
claims of cheating were always going to raise its ugly head. Niedzwiedz revealed that
he and the other drivers knew there was a question mark over the legality of the Sierra‟s and the BMW‟s and that cheating was rife in the championship.
The whole championship was very political, because Ford and BMW were throwing
every thing into the championship to win. Ford and BMW had parts for their cars that
were not always really legal, but this was happening at most of the rounds of the championship. Team officials would hover around the scrutineering office waiting to see if
either of the teams would protest one another.
Niedzwiedz said “I remembered seeing outside the scrutineers office, after each race
there would be a guy from Ford and one from BMW waiting for a phone call from ei24
ther Cologne or Munich to see if there had been a protest lodged, it was like that at
every race”.
Niedzwiedz said that
Ford team boss Rudi
Eggenberger was a
very “clever man,” he
was always looking for
ways to beat the opposition, perhaps with
parts that did not seem
illegal, but the rules
were always open to
interpretation.
In the build up to the
Bathurst round of the
World Touring Car
Championship, before
the European Teams
had even arrived in Australia, local highly respected racing car drivers had started to
criticise the European Teams, saying that they did not stand a chance. No one team can
come to Bathurst who has never raced here before and expect to win or even do well in
the race. But they had forgotten back in 1985 when the three car team of TWR Jaguar‟s
had conquered the mountain.
The Ford Texaco Sierras arrived and straight away were on the money. Their first
achievement was to win the RE.PO best prepared car. Then Klaus Ludwig who had
never raced at Bathurst before took out poll position in the traditional top ten shoot out.
Well as you can imagine this pissed off the local drivers no end, you see the Australian
Ford RS Sierras and M3 BMWs did not have all the parts that the European Fords and
BMWs had available for their cars , as for the V8 boys they were just not in the picture
at all. There was controversy all the way through the race, from fuel doping to drivers
being accused of being in their cars for too long without a break and the controversy
over the front wings of the Texaco Sierra‟s. At the end of the race the protests came
thick and fast.
The race was won by the Ford Texaco Eggenberger Motorsport Sierra RS500s of Steve
Soper (who had raced at Bathurst before) and Pierre Dieudonne 2 laps ahead of Klaus
Ludwig and Klaus Niedzwiedz.
Niedzwiedz stated that he had tremendous respect for Bathurst, as one of the most demanding race tracks in the world, even compared to the world famous 21km Nurbur-
25
gring Circuit. Bathurst is very quick and dangerous with no margin for error between
the walls not like the Nurburgring where there are a lot of run off areas.
The 1987 Bathurst 1000 was the 8th Round of the Inaugural World Touring Car Championships, there were 2 other Rounds down under, Calder Park, Victoria, Australia
and Wellington Street Race, New Zealand. The Texaco Sierras won both of these
races very convincingly.
Finally the protests against the Texaco Sierras were upheld and were disqualified from
the Bathurst 1000, giving Peter Brock his 9 th and last Bathurst win. BMW and the local contingency had got their way with all their whinging and complaining, I put it all
down to bad sportsmanship as no other cars were protested, well that‟s the Aussie way,
if you cannot win you find every excuse to blame something or someone else and not
to admit you were just not good enough on the day.
The Ford Texaco Sierra RS500s could have won the Bathurst 1000 with their hands
tied behind their backs and with bicycle wheels attached to them. Klaus Niedzwiedz
really has nothing to apologise about, perhaps the Australians should be apologising to
him for all the bullshit that surrounded that race. But they came, they saw and conquered and they went away with the win (be it not for long) and the locals just could
not accept that. You see Bathurst is there race and no one else‟s.
Niedzwiedz has been back to compete in the Bathurst 1000 6 times and always in a
Ford Sierra RS500, his highest finishing place was a second.
What a shame the World Touring Car Championship had become so political, the
Championship had so much potential. But Bathurst remarkably had a hand in putting a
stop to the championship for ever.
The Ford Texaco Sierra‟s did go on to win the one and only World Touring Car Championship of 1987, as well as the winning of many other championships around the
world for several years.
Tom Chaplin
26
SPEC SHEET
www.smckaperformance.com.au
We specialise in performance and reproduction parts for Ford Escort including
Lotus Twin Cam, RS2000 and RS1600, Ford Cortina mark 1 & 2 and mark 1, 2
and 3 Ford Capri models.
Our product range includes new reproduction body panels, steering components, suspension, rubber seals and interior trim for Escort, Cortina and Capri.
We also stock Zetec conversion kits and Sierra Type 9 5 speed gearboxes.
Phone Stephen McKay
0413 389 332
27
FALCON V8BRUTES ENGLISH COUSIN
The story of this particular P100 starts back in July 1992 when my dad took delivery of
it from „Gowerings‟ the local Ford dealer in Newbury. Dad ticked just about every box
on the option list so he ended up with the „Californian‟ pack which featured the stripes,
roll bar with work lamps, alloy wheels and roo bar. The roo bars got taken off by Dad
when it became national news pedestrians didn‟t bounce off them very well. The work
lights got removed during the refurb as they stuck up above the cab and must have contributed massively to drag.
Dad ran it as his work vehicle from 1992 to 2002 when he retired and I bought it off
him to use as my work runabout. It stayed exactly as uncle Henry intended for another
couple of years complete with asthmatic 86bhp pinto and leaf sprung atlas axle.
I was leafing through a copy of „Classic Ford‟ one day dreaming about a flat front Mk2
with forest arches and a screaming BDA when I came across an article about Steve
Taylor from Performance Conversions and his install of a 24valve V6 BOA 2.9 4 cam
into a Corsair (I think the gent concerned has since settled in Australia with his family
and cars). It turns out Steve is a bit of a whiz at dropping the BOA into anything with a
Ford badge. A phone call later and the P100 was booked in for a horsepower upgrade.
Steve‟s big thing is making it look like Henry intended it to be there, and the 4 cam sat
beautifully in the P100. Not only did I get the engine but a happy by product was the
Granada/Scorpio cross member and associated power steering rack. To start with we
retained the type 9 5 speed using a Cortina V6 bell housing. That however was not
really man enough for the job so I booked the P100 back in with Steve for an MT75
hybrid gearbox and Scorpio rear suspension. Traction with the old Atlas axle and transit wheel/tyre combination had always been somewhat compromised. The new set up
gave me an independent rear end, slippery diff and vented discs, bonus for posing! The
P100 was now very well behaved. I had a LongLife stainless steel exhaust made up and
fitted and continued to use it as my work hack until about 2006. It had about 200bhp
and a fantastic V6 burble.
Common sense prevailed and I bought a Ford Transit Connect to use for my bathroom
installation business. The P100 sat on the drive for about 2 years while I formulated a
plan for its future. It had always been well looked after and the cab and chassis were in
good condition. The tray was starting to show signs of the dreaded tin worm though.
I stripped the whole thing down to just a shell with a dash and loom. The cab/chassis
was then shot blasted before being taken to my local body shop for any repairs required
and paint. The tray needed a lot of replacement panels cut in before being painted. By
now I had decided that a ute needed to have a V8 and it had to be an Australian sourced
302 Windsor. I got onto Pete Cox and gave him the criteria. Pete managed to source the
engine and box and crated it up and got it shipped over.
28
The engine went in with a tiny amount of squeezing, a replacement „Bronco‟ rear bowl
sump and some gentle fabrication work to the cross member. I had already employed
the services of a specialist prop shaft manufacturer when the V6 was installed so a
quick call to them produced an all singing prop capable of taking all the twist. I also
spoke to Gaz and got some beautiful struts with adjustable platforms and 350 pound
21/4 inch springs. At the rear they supplied a set of adjustable shocks to go with the
station wagon Scorpio springs. Supaflex supplied a complete set of replacement nylon
bushes. A call to Burtons provided a quick shift kit for the Tremac T5.
The brakes are standard Scorpio Cosworth vented discs and callipers all round. All
flexi hoses have been upgraded to Goodridge braided items. The wheels are Scorpio
Cosworth items and have been shot blasted and powder coated. While parted from the
ute all the suspension bits and cross
member were powder coated black.
I tracked down a pair of Sapphire
Cosworth Recaros and had them
cleaned and repaired. One of the nice
things about Fords of this era was the
interchange ability of parts between
different spec cars and different
models. I had already slotted a rev
counter into the dash in place of the
analogue clock when the V6 was
installed and put the digital Sierra
29
clock in the centre console. I have since added after market oil temp and pressure
gauges sent into a panel adjacent to the clock.
The ute got to the above stage in Jan 2011. At that point it all went very wrong. The
ecu and immobiliser wouldn‟t speak to each other so we couldn‟t get the engine to
start. An „Emerald‟ ecu was purchased but the original engine installer didn‟t have
the skills to get that running properly. A so called engine tuner had it for months, did
very little and charged a lot. Then I
discovered that due to the oversight of
no baffle in the sump the engine
needed a bottom end rebuild including
grinding the crank. Finally I got the
ute over to „Emerald‟ who had it for
the day and have handed back the ute
I always knew it could be. An AU
Tickford XR8 Falcon V8 might not be
the most sophisticated engine in the
world but with the stainless steel twin
system fitted it sounds fantastic and
has bags of grunt everywhere.
Like the BOA before it, the engine
just looks right at home. My intention
was always to produce the ute Ford
UK could have made. The biggest
problem I have now is what to call it.
Should it be a P100 Californian XR8
or P100 Californian Savage+2?
The plan now is to just enjoy the ute
and get out to a few shows. I caught
up with Pete Cox at Stanford Hall last
year but prior to that I think the last time I went to an RSOC event was probably National day at Donnington back in about 96 or 97. I took my old Oz RS2000 up there
and dropped a valve while fanging around the circuit with Graeme Knight on board.
Happy memories!
It‟s been a lot of years since I lived in Oz but I still read the articles from Stephen
Roser, Uncle Tom and other contributors with interest. I always scan the photos for
people or cars I know. I couldn‟t believe my eyes reading an Oz article in „Classic
Ford‟ a few years back, there in the middle of a photo at Geelong all Ford day or
somewhere similar was Stuart Colemen walking past looking at the cars, blue wind
cheater and jeans, and it was probably 30 degrees! Something‟s never change, do
they Stuart?
30
Finally I must thank Peter Cox for all his efforts in getting the engine over here and
then any spares and literature which were required to get it up and running, cheers
mate. Hello to all my old mates over in Australia, it‟s about time some of you came
and visited. I‟ve given up playing cricket now so lots of free weekends to go to car
shows.
Regards,
Classic Small Ford Supplies
The spares specialist for all 1960 to 1980 Capri Cortina Escort
Maintain Restore Modify Race
Rally
Our stock includes new, used & reconditioned components for bodies, engines, gearboxes, diffs etc. We buy all Capri , Cortina and Escorts continually including part, job lots or complete vehicles.
Factory 1 rear of 11 Lincoln Street, Minto, NSW 2566
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm, Saturday by prior arrangement.
Phone (02) 9603 5333
31
30 YEARS
IS IT REALLY THIRTY YEARS!
It does not feel like thirty years has been and gone since the Ford RS Owners Club of
Australia was formed back in 1982. You would never have imaged that the emblem
“RS” would have survived for all these years. Ford could not have envisaged back then
what a worldwide icon the “RS” emblem would become.
Back the early days (the 60s & 70s) there had been a Ford Car
Club operating before the RSOC, run by Ford known as the “Ford
Sport Club”. The club was run out of regional centres usually Ford
RS dealers around the UK. I can remember receiving newsletters
each month back in the 60‟s and 70‟s, telling us about what was
happening at Boreham, any new products and Ford Motorsport in
general. The late 70‟s saw the Ford Sport Club‟s decline and its
final abandonment.
The RS Owner‟s Club movement was born in 1980, which of course originated in the
UK, the brain child of Dave Harrison. Dave could not have imaged how big the RS
Owner‟s movement would become.
As the UK club was growing at a great pace, thousands of miles away on the other side
of the world, where RS Fords were scarce on the ground a new RS Club was being
born. June 1982 saw the formation of the Ford RS Owner‟s Club of Australia. At that
time Ford Australia had produced its own version of the RS2000 Mk2, somewhat different mechanically to the UK model but looked almost the same, except for that 4
door version which was unique to Australia. There was a total of 2,400 vehicles manufactured, adding to this the 25 MK1 RS2000‟s, 25 MK2 RS2000‟s and 50 RS3100 Capri‟s Ford Australia had previously imported. That was about the total number of RS
Fords in Australia at that time. Since then Ford Australia has never produced or imported another RS up unto 2010 when Ford Australia imported 315 of the Focus RS
32
Mk2. Most of all the newer models of RS had been imported personally or by private
companies.
In November 1982 the RS Owner‟s Club, Australia met for the very first time, a fun
run, a total of 20 RS‟s turned up, the run starting in Sydney and concluding at a favourite spot known as Wiseman‟s Ferry for the traditional Aussie BBQ. This was to be the
start of many events to come. As it happens the first two original members from back
in July 1982 are still members of the club to this day, as are several of the RS „old
schools‟ now that they again own a Ford RS, the mighty Focus RS Mk2.
As the UK Club grew the Australian Club also grew but on a much smaller scale. The
Club is operating with a membership comparable with that of the 80s. Back in the 90‟s
the Club did have a regional group in each of the States of Australia, but alas not today
with only Qld, Vic and ACT the only active states outside NSW. There is a breakaway
group in Melbourne Victoria catering for all small Fords, not just the RS so don‟t get
confused between the two.
The biggest milestone for the RSOC in Australia was the Club‟s 10 th Anniversary.
Ford was persuaded to let us
hold our Anniversary at its
headquarters at Broadmeadows in Melbourne on
26th January 1992. The then
Ford President, Jac Nasser
even organised for Ford to
sponsor the event. It was and
still is the biggest gathering of
RS‟s in Australia under the
banner of the RS Owners Club
of Australia; hopefully the 30th
anniversary will compare with
that record.
33
At that particular time a gentleman by the name of Martin Kibble was the state organiser for Queensland. He is a Kiwi and was about to go back to New Zealand to live.
After several conversations and much arm twisting, Martin agreed to try and start a NZ
branch of the RS Owner‟s network.
The RSOC in Australia
helped Martin out with
stationery, windscreen
stickers and all the artwork to create the new
RS Owner‟s Club logo
for New Zealand which
helped them to get off the
ground. In October 1993
Martin organised the first
Club get together on the
shores of one of the many bays in Auckland, over a dozen RS cars attended that day.
From a Twin Cam Escort to, at that time, a Sierra Sapphire RS. With the New Zealand
club growing two regional groups were formed, one on the Nth Island and the other on
the south Island, but run out of Auckland. It is not clear if Ford New Zealand ever imported any RS Fords to sell to the public. But it seems to be much easier to import RS‟s
into New Zealand as they boast a very good collection of all the RS models plus quite a
few of the old genuine works RS Escorts that came from Boreham to compete on the
Rally of New Zealand. Many of them are still scattered around the country side there.
Rallying is still a big thing in New Zealand, more so than Australia.
They have had their share of ups and downs as most Clubs do. Martin left the RSOC
fold and went to live in the UK. The Club went very quiet at that time, struggling to
find anyone to run the club, but it is up and running again with Chris Kitzer at the
helm.
Both the Clubs at the time, adopted their own style of the Rallye News magazine on
similar lines to the UK version,
which were very different to
today‟s magazines. Plus a new
RSOC logo was designed in the
UK to comply with Fords copyrights.
So as you can see the RSOC is
an international Club. If there
are any RS owners club members that are visiting a country
34
where a RS club is located get in touch with them and make yourselves known, the
welcome may surprise you.
For me it‟s been one incredible journey
over the last thirty or so years watching
these great clubs grow into highly respected
organisations around the world, perhaps we
should be known as “Ford RS Owners Club
International”. Over the course of those 30
plus years I have been honoured with a life
membership of all three major organisations. I am still making many new friends
within the network of these Clubs and hope
to do so for many more years to come. Long
live the “Ford RS” and the RS Owners Club
network.
Tom Chaplin.
Founding member (RSOCA) Joint founding member (RSOC NZ).
35
CLUB MERCHANDISE
Baseball Caps $16.50 each
RS31 White
RS32 Blue
RS22 Polo Dark Blue $45.00
RS40 RSOC UK 30th Anniversary
key ring $7.50 each
RS21 Polo White $45.00
RSOC Glass Coaster $6.00 each
or 4 for $20.00. Only available at
Club events
36
RS71 RSOC Windscreen Banner $15.00
RS41 Chrome RSOC Key Ring $15.00
Cosworth Head Key Ring $16.50 each
RS43 Red
RS42 Blue
RS70 R/N Magazine Binder $15.00
RS Stickers RS60, 61, 62, 63 $4.00
Retro Club Stickers RS50, RS51, RS52
$4.00
Contact Tom Chaplin 02 64944144 or [email protected]
Order form at www.rsownersclubaust.com.au
Postage & Packaging Extra
37
FOR THE ENTHUSIAST
Ford Escort RS & Mexico Performance Portfolio
Brooklands Books are substantial collections of magazine reports and road tests. In
1980 they published Ford RS Escorts 1968
-1980. They found that there was significant interest in the marque and after the
original book went out of print they replaced it with two new volumes High Performance EscortsMk1 1968-1974 and
High performance Escorts Mk2 19751980. These books are still available.
The original book was then updated and
the new version was titled Ford Escort RS
and Mexico 1970-1979 Limited Edition.
This too proved to be very popular and
sold out so it was revamped once more
with more pages and a lot more colour.
The latest version is titled Ford Escort RS
& Mexico Performance Portfolio and covers the Mk1 & Mk2 Escorts in competition
and as road cars from 1970-1979.
This version has a number of articles from Australian magazines which cover the RS1800 and its
competition versions, the German Mk2 RS2000
that was imported in 1976. Even the Aussie Mk2
RS2000 gets a brief report written about it by well
known motoring journalist Mark Fogarty.
At around $50 it‟s not cheap but the original reports
are supplemented with a number of retrospective
articles and for a bit of variety there is even a road
test of the version of the Mk2 RS2000 sold in
South Africa. If you missed a copy of Wheels from
October 1976 here is your chance to read their test
of the German RS2000 that they titled “This Ford is
not RS”.
38
COMING EVENTS
July
1
1
7-8
19
22
29
Vic Winter Drive Melbourne
“Club Plates” Run (NSW)
Forster Keys Family Weekend
NSW Mid Week Run
Pacific Ford & FPV Show (Qld)
All Ford Day (NSW)
Frank York
0418 365 712
Robert Ramsey
(02) 6571 1045
Elizabeth Reserve, Forster Keys
Anglers Rest Hotel, Brooklyn
122-124 Sugar Rd, Maroochydore
Eastern Creek Raceway
August
5
“Club Plates” Run (NSW)
16
NSW Mid Week Run
Robert Ramsey
(02) 6571 1045
Anglers Rest Hotel, Brooklyn
September
1-2
Muscle Car Masters
9
“Club Plates” Run (NSW)
20
NSW Mid Week Run
30
All Ford Day (Qld)
Eastern Creek Raceway
Robert Ramsey
(02) 6571 1045
Anglers Rest Hotel, Brooklyn
Kedron Park, Brisbane
October
7
“Club Plates” Run (NSW)
7
Vic Spring Drive and Dine Day
14
RSOC 30th Anniversary
26-28 Classic Small Ford Muster (ACT)
Robert Ramsey
Frank York
Lidcombe, NSW
Canberra
November
4
“Club Plates” Run (NSW)
15
NSW Mid Week Run
18
Forgotten Ford Sunday
Robert Ramsey
(02) 6571 1045
Anglers Rest Hotel, Brooklyn
Parramatta Park, NSW
December
2
“Club Plates” Run (NSW)
20
NSW Mid Week Run
Robert Ramsey
(02) 6571 1045
Anglers Rest Hotel, Brooklyn
39
(02) 6571 1045
0418 365 712
PRIDE PASSION PERFORMANCE
Www.rsownersclubaust.com.au
40