Ford Escort 1800 RS
John POTTIER / Eric MARNETTE (B/B)

Category	SLOWLY
Year	1978
Group	4

 

 

Yesterday : Hanu MIKKOLA / Arne HERTZ - RAC Rally 1978

Due to a general strike of the workers of Ford which paralyzed the factories, the 1987 RAC Rally almost ran without a factory Ford Escort. But Boreham had heard about the plan and before the strike broke, had handed out some of his cars to private teams. Three teams thus entered RS 1800s, entrusted to pilots "on loan" by the factory. Peter Ashcroft, Charles Reynolds, Alan Wilkinson and Mick Jones for their part, went from service to service to provide advices. With three Escorts on the podium, the operation was crowned with success. Mikkola, in the car entrusted to David Sutton, won his first success at the RAC in these particular conditions. And the “Andrews Heat for Hire” Team allows Waldegard to finish on the second step of the podium, ahead of its usual driver, Russel Brookes.

John Pottier appreciates English cars. After a first participation in 2019, he is present for the second time at the start. This year he swapped his MG for this Ford Escort, a replica of Mikkola's car at the RAC. The car is particularly sharp and benefits from a factory cylinder head.