1971 Ford Escort RS1600 Group 2
- Colour
- Yellow
A Ford Escort RS1600 built at Ford's Aveley plant and sourced in Belgium in 2011 as an original road car before being converted to a fully detailed Group 2 specification race car. Finished in Norwich FC yellow to a period Zakspeed-inspired livery and nicknamed 'The Lairy Canary', the car was subsequently rebuilt by Jordan Racing Team with a new BDG engine and ZF gearbox, then competed successfully across FIA Saloon Car events in Europe, including class wins at Silverstone and first in class at the 2023 Mallorca Rally.
Ownership
- 2024-02-23Auction saleEstimate £100,000 – £120,000
- 2024-02-23Auction saleEstimate £100,000 – £120,000
- 2024-02-24Auction saleEstimate £100,000 – £120,000
- 2011 →Private saleMike Bellpartial documentation
Sourced the car in Belgium as an original road car and converted it to full Group 2 competition specification, racing it in FIA Saloon Car events across Europe until his death.
- 2020 →Acquisition unknownNick Whalepartial documentation
Acquired the car during the lockdown period of 2020–2021 and commissioned a comprehensive professional rebuild by Jordan Racing Team before campaigning it alongside Harry Whale in FIA Saloon Car events.
Competition
- 2021Motor Racing LegendsMotor Racing Legends FIA Saloon Car races 2021Driver: Nick WhaleClass wins and top-ten finishes every start
Car driven and shared by Nick and Harry Whale following completion of the JRT rebuild; set up and tested beforehand by Mike Jordan and Andrew Jordan.
- 2022Motor Racing LegendsMotor Racing Legends FIA Saloon Car races 2022Driver: Nick WhaleClass wins and top-ten finishes every start
Continued campaign with Nick and Harry Whale in the same series.
- 20232023 Mallorca Rally1st in class, 5th overall
Car entered in rally configuration using its road registration; performed strongly across the field.
- 2023Motor Racing Legends2023 Silverstone FestivalDriver: Matt Neal1st in class, 5th overall
Co-driven by Harry Whale; competed in a highly competitive FIA Saloon Car grid.
- —FIA Saloon CarFIA Saloon Car races (Europe)Driver: Mike BellMultiple successful results
Car was raced by its builder across various European circuits until his passing; specific events and dates not recorded in the prose.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2011Modification
Original road car converted to full Group 2 competition specification, finished in Norwich FC yellow to a period Zakspeed-inspired design.
Conversion carried out by or under the direction of Mike Bell.
- 2020RestorationJordan Racing Team
Complete strip-down and rebuild of the bodyshell including seam-welding, lightening, and structural reinforcement; FIA-spec roll cage welded in; brakes, suspension, and drivetrain rebuilt or replaced; new 2-litre BDG engine from Jondel Race Engines mated to a new ZF five-speed gearbox; full repaint by Normandale.
FIA HTP paperwork renewed during rebuild, valid to December 2026 (Class CT24 Period H1). Repaint carried out by Normandale of Daventry. Engine and gearbox from previous build were sold off.
- 2023Engine rebuild
Engine sent for a complete refresh following the Mallorca Rally; gearbox also overhauled and a new clutch fitted at the same time.
Car subsequently raced at the 2023 Silverstone Festival and has not been used since.
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