Historic Road Rally
Ford Escorts
Category 2. 1/1/1968 – 31/12/1974.
Category 3. 1/1/1975 – 31/12/1980.
Specification and modifications, proven to have been used in period.
The Ford Escort has been an iconic competition car since its first appearance in 1968. It is still widely use today in all manner of specifications, both historic and modified. The first real usage of the car in road rallying was the Mexico championship. This entailed standard Grp 1 Escort Mexico’s competing on the then Motoring News road rally series. This was a seriously competitive championship. A lot of the drivers and navigators went onto greater things. It must be remembered that these cars were very much standard being driven by committed, talented drivers.
When the Rs2000 appeared, they were often in a near standard specification also.
The advent of Historic rallying would ultimately see history repeat itself. The one overriding rule is that any modification must have been proven to have been used on that make of model of vehicle in period. This rule applies also to historic road rallying, using an Escort on an Historic road rally means it can only run to modifications used in period in road rallying. It is not acceptable to run Stage rally modifications..
The cutoff date of 31/12/1974 applies to Mk 1 Escorts and 31/12/1980 applies to Mk 2 Escorts.
The following is a general list of permitted modifications that have been proven to have been used in road rallying in period.
Body Shell.
A standard body with no wheel arch extensions.
This also applies to the standard wheel arch shape being altered/re-shaped to allow wider tyres etc.
Only manufacturers original decals and paintwork are permitted.
Engines used..
The 1300cc, 1600cc crossflow (Kent) engine. 1558cc Twin Cam.
The 1993cc SOHC (Pinto) engine.
There is no evidence of large over bores being used in period.
Plus 60 thou appear to be the maximum overbore used..
Carburation.
Twin, progressive choke Weber carburettor. The 3.0lt Capri 38 DGMS carburettor was the modification of choice. This carburettor opened both chokes simultaneously.
Twin 40 and 45 DCOE carburettors. (These carburettors would need a MSUK waiver for each event) The Lynx split Weber manifold has not been proven to have been used in period
Ignition.
Ford, Motorcraft of Bosch disctibutor.
The only electronic ignition system used in period, that is still available today is the optical eye Lumenition assembly.
Gearbox.
Four speed 2000E or Rocket.
There is no evidence of five speed gearboxes being used in the period.
The Type nine Ford 5 speed gearbox did not appear until the Ford Sierra in 1982-83.
Rear Axle.
English or baby atlas. The deciding axle width is keeping the wheels and tyres within the wheel arches.
Brakes.
Front. Girling M16, 2 piston cast iron brake calipers with vented brake discs.
Solid. 244mm dia 10mm thicknes
Vented. 244mm dia 20mm thickness.
Rear. Drum Brakes.
There is no evidence of rear brake discs being used.
Suspension.
Front. Period McPherson Strut.
Rear. Solid, two link, pan-hard rod axle, with leaf springs,
Shock absorbers. Make: Bilstein, Koni, Spax or period available.
Electrical, Instrumentation.
Battery, original under bonnet location or in boot.
Period correct switchgear. (Mk1, single stalk indicator steering column switch)
The same applies to Mk2 Escorts. Later Ford multi function derivatives are not permitted.
V1.6/12/25