RAC 84

FORD - The 1985 season will see the debut of the latest Group A RS Turbo model and so this year's Lombard RAC Rally is the swansong event for the RS1600i that it will replace.

Originally built as a 5000 off model solely for Group A homologation, the Car's Achilles heel has always been with the transmission. As with most front-wheel drive cars, the drive shafts have often proved too fragile for the power output. Last season, run by the Widnes based Rally Engineering Development, the car had a mixed year with successes and failures throughout the season. But, on the RAC Rally (when no-one really gave the Escort much hope of completing the course) it attained its highest placing for Malcolm Wilson, although the team were on their last gearbox at the time.

A singleton car has been entered this time for Louise Aitken-Walker, the woman who nearly won the Shell Oils/ AUTOSPORT RAC National Rally Championship. With sole backup on the event, Louise could manage a good finish, possibly beating Wilson's 13th overall last year, which also netted the class win.

Rally Sport Jan '85 p LS13+

photo '74

44 Louise Aitken / Ellen Morgan, GB/GB, 1.6 Ford Escort RS1600i GpA (Rally Engineering Development; Lucas Lighting; Pirelli Tyres; Stockport MC).

Engine ran badly from the start, and the headgasket had to be changed after SS3 [Donington]; fears that the cylinder head was warped were confirmed and a new head was fitted before the drive north from Chester; all efforts were in vain, however, and a piston failed in SS9 .

1st	VATANEN/ Harryman	02	gB Peugeot 205 T16	128FBL75	9h 19m 48s
10th	Ericsson/ Billstam	22	gA Audi 80 Quattro	EHJ 733	10h 15m 03s
Rtd	Aitken/ Morgan	44	gA Ford Escort RS1600i	HPU 74Y	SS9	Piston

Reference

Autosport 1984 Lombard RAC Rally Spectator Guide p66

Rally Sport Jan '85 p LS13+

World Rallying 7 p104

Next - Swedish Rally 1985