First of three period-correct Ford Sierra RS500 Group A continuations by CNC Motorsport has been delivered to its lucky owner
Built in collaboration with four-time British Touring Car champion Andy Rouse, the Ford Sierra RS500 Group A continuation is the first of three examples intended for use in historic racing, built to original Andy Rouse Engineering specifications.
The first car was built over 24 months by Alan Strachan, a former Andy Rouse Engineering mechanic, and his son Andrew. Strachan senior worked for ARE between 1989 and 1996, a stint which included work on the Team Labatts Sierra RS500 during its campaign in the British Touring Car Championship.
The next car in the series is already under construction utilising a brand-new motorsport bodyshell, while a donor shell has been sourced for the third and final build. Each is to be built to the exacting specifications of the original Andy Rouse Engineering models, CNC says.
CNC Motorsport has completed all fabrication work in-house, including uprights, rear arms, brake callipers, hubs, wheel centres and the roll cage, which matches the period Rouse design. The company is the only certified producer of period-correct ARE roll cages, built to Motorsport UK standards.
Input from Andy Rouse and access to an original Labatts Sierra RS500 currently managed by CNC Motorsport ensured that every detail of the build remains faithful to the original cars. The first completed Group A Sierra is powered by a 575bhp Cosworth YB engine built by Harvey Gibbs, mated to a Getrag five-speed gearbox and a 10-inch viscous differential.
According to Alan Strachan, the goal was to create a competitive, reliable car for historic racing. “These are to be enjoyed, raced hard and fair, and without the concerns of taking a valuable, period car on track,” he stated.
