FORD SIERRA

During the 1980s, it was common for the BBC to feature rounds of the British Touring Car Championship on Saturday afternoons. Coverage was a bit sporadic in the early days but by 1987, Steve Ryder and Murray Walker were on the box every weekend with the result that the likes of John Cleland, Steve Soper, Frank Sytner, Tim Harvey and others became household names.

Two names never far from the top of the results sheets were Andy Rouse and Andy Rouse Engineering. Andy enjoyed a stellar career racing saloon cars with remarkable success from the start, winning the one-make Ford Escort Mexico Championship in 1972 at his first attempt and then moving up to the British Saloon Car Championship which subsequently became the BTCC. The statistics are impressive with 63 wins, 53 poles, 131 podiums and four Championships from 280 starts and his name will always be associated with the fabulous Andy Rouse Engineering/ICS Sierra RS500 Cosworth on offer here.

The 1990 Esso RAC British Touring Car Championship was the 33rd British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season and marked the last year of the 'Group A' era. It was also the final year of the multi-class format. Classes changed from four to two and 'Group A' cars now ran alongside the all new 2-litre Touring Car Formula, with a view to a single-class Formula for 1991.

Having achieved significant success in recent seasons including winning the Championship overall in 1985, 1986, and 1987, Rouse and his team approached the 1990 BTCC with what they believed to be the ultimate 'Group A' Sierra RS500 Cosworth, drawing from their experience campaigning similar cars over the previous two years.

With sponsorship from Pete Hall's ICS plc, Rouse and his new Sierra started the season strongly, with a win in the season opener at Oulton Park. Further wins included the two hour endurance race at Donington Park where Rouse was joined by David Sears (Jack Sears' son), the Birmingham Superprix and Thruxton. The final round at Silverstone was a renewal of Andy's season-long battle with Robb Gravett's Trakstar RS500 with Gravett securing the win by a small margin, however the Rouse car did have the consolation of 'Fastest Lap'. These impressive results, along with six additional podium finishes, earned Rouse third place in the Drivers’ Championship, a fitting end to the RS500’s final race within the BTCC and the end of an era.

Remarkably, following the conclusion of the 1990 season, the car was immediately retired from racing and placed on display in the Coventry Transport Museum before being sold to the Far East. The famous ICS Sierra remained in a secluded Collection, making only one public appearance when it was shipped to the 2001 Goodwood Festival of Speed and was was reunited with Andy Rouse. Invited to drive the car one more time, Andy approached the task enthusiastically, however, the competition brakes were not particularly effective after all these years and Andy managed to 'kiss' a couple of straw bales. A visit to Andy Rouse Engineering restored the status quo and it hasn't been used since. Notwithstanding, it remains one of the most original RS500 race cars ever.

Purchased by its current owner in 2013 and repatriated to the UK, the RS500 has continued with its cherished life resulting in the 'time-capsule' condition it remains in today. Offered publicly for the very first time, this must surely be one of the most original 'Group A' RS500s extant, still boasting almost entirely original paintwork, original seat, period safety equipment and decals.

Remaining exactly as Rouse last drove it, this 'Group A' RS500 Cosworth presents a rare opportunity to acquire a significant piece of British motorsport history.