Fast forward to 2015 and whether it’s a road car or a circuit racing machine, the Ford RS Cosworth is rapidly attaining classic status. With values climbing, interest mounting and nice condition unmodified examples increasingly difficult to source, Leicester based Graham Goode Racing (GGR) is responding to an upsurge in demand by offering a complete mechanical and bodywork restoration service across both Sierra and Escort RS Cosworth models – GGR Heritage. 

“GGR is in a unique position because it is arguably the only business still trading that was racing the Sierra Cosworth in the car’s BTCC heyday,” Graham comments. “In addition, some of the key personnel involved in the GGR ‘Heritage’ Cosworth restoration service worked on our Sierra racing programs back in the 1980’s. For example our Technical Manager Alastair Mayne was one of GGR’s race engineers both for the BTCC Sierra Cosworth RS500 campaign and when I raced in Malaysia,” Goode continues.

“Because the Cosworth’s 2.0-litre turbocharged YB engine remains a favourite for tuning, mechanical spares availability is generally very good,” says GGR’s Technical Manager Alastair Mayne. “And thanks to our involvement with road and race Cosworths since the very beginning, we understand and recognise what’s required, particularly now that the cars are ageing. GGR is constantly looking at re-sourcing or re-manufacturing parts that are becoming scarce, whilst ensuring that they are produced to the same, or superior quality standards than the original components.”

“In recent months we have recommissioned Mike Newman’s ex-BTCC Sierra Cosworth RS500 – which is the sister car to Graham’s race car – highlighting GGR’s abilities with any specification of Cosworth,” comments Mayne. “We also benefit from our proximity to the nearby Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, where GGR is able to shake down rebuilt motorsport cars in a controlled conditions environment as part of the Heritage service.”

At the other end of the spectrum another recent candidate for the GGR Heritage program was a white three door Sierra RS Cosworth that had been sat for 28 years without turning a wheel, meaning that it had just over 6,000 miles on the clock in total. “That particular Cosworth only required light reconditioning in order to make it road legal once more, because a suspected electrical problem meant that the owner mothballed the car,” Mayne comments “and it was like being in a time warp when we took it out on road test…”

“As we said in our original publicity back in the early 1990’s – ‘Trust your Cosworth to the experts’ and the same sentiments apply today as the cars are regarded as classics,” Mayne concludes.

For more information about GGR’s Heritage Sierra / Escort RS Cosworth restoration program please contact Graham Goode Racing directly for an individual assessment and quotation.