c. 1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Group A Competition Saloon

• Rouse Sport car developed over many years
• Overall winner of the Silverstone Classic in 2017 and 2021
• Winner of the 2023 Silverstone Festival in Group A
• Fully refreshed since winning at Silverstone in 2023 (new block)
• Current FIA accreditation until the end of 2027
• Now eligible to the new HTC2 Peter Auto Championship

The sight of rival manufacturers reaping the rewards of a successful circuit racing programme prompted Ford to renew its alliance with engine builder Cosworth to create the eponymous Sierra, assembly of the minimum 5,000 units required for Group A homologation commencing in June 1986 at the company's Genk plant in Belgium. Intended for circuit racing, the RS500 competition version was built by Aston Martin Tickford, with homologation completed in August 1987 after the 500 units required had been finished. Most of the changes from the road version were found in the engine, which featured a thicker-walled cylinder block; a larger Garrett T04 turbocharger; a larger intercooler; and an additional set of fuel injectors using the second fuel rail (unused in the production version). In addition, the fuel delivery, induction, and lubrication/cooling systems were up-rated, while aerodynamic alterations were made to the front and rear bodywork in the interests of increased downforce.

According to the vendor, this Rouse Sport Ford Sierra RS500 is the definition of an 'on the button' race car having been constantly developed over recent years. Although this car has very limited in-period history it has enjoyed significant success in modern Group A competition, including overall victory in the 2017 Silverstone Classic event. Many fastest laps and pole positions have been achieved and most recently this example won the 2021 Silverstone Classic and the 2023 Silverstone Festival in Group A.

This RS500 has been built and run to a high standard and has been fully refreshed since that win at Silverstone in 2023, The preparation has included a new cylinder block as part of a Harvey Gibbs engine build, together with new hubs, brake discs, a Ford Motorsport 909 differential, and a fully rebuilt Getrag 265 gearbox. Every Rouse suspension component has been removed, serviced and rebuilt. In 2023 £100,000-plus was spend at Melliard before going to Premier Motorsport for the latest specification suspension setup.

In summary: one could spend many tens of thousands of pounds developing these cars to get them to this one's level of competitiveness and, importantly, reliability. The beauty of this particular example is that the current owner has already gone through that timely and costly process, meaning that this race-winning RS500 is now ready for its fortunate next owner to enjoy some of the best Historic motor sport in Europe, including the new HTC2 Peter Auto Championship. The car has current FIA accreditation until the end of 2027.