The idea of a newly-built continuation Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 touring car is quite an intriguing one, and it’s something that CNC Motorsport – the father-and-son team of Alan and Andrew Strachan – has endeavoured to create. The team has just delivered the first of the three it’s planning to build (the white car pictured above, alongside an original period RS500 racer), all built to Group A, Andy Rouse Engineering specification for track use.
Alan’s background with Cosworths came from his time working for Andy Rouse Engineering from 1989 to 1996. Created in partnership with the four-time saloon/touring car champion, the team completed all the fabrication work to the bodyshell as well as producing all of the machined parts – such as uprights, rear arms, hubs, brake calipers, wheel centres and roll cage in house. Input from Andy and drawing on his own time with the team, as well as access to a period Labatts Sierra that CNC Motorsport engineers today, ensured that the build was faithful to the original cars. The first car features a 575bhp Cosworth YB engine built by Harvey Gibbs and later 10” viscous differential.
That includes using Getrag five-speed gearbox, period style gauges, fuel tank enclosure and roll cage that matches the specific Rouse design. CNC Motorsport remains the only certified producer of period ARE cages by the governing body, Motorsport UK.
This project has enabled us to build a reliable, period correct car that will be competitive in historic motorsport for the fraction of the cost of an original
Alan and Andrew assembled the first car over the past 24 months alongside other projects, including Group A BMW 635CSI build, the restoration of a Merkur XR4TI and period Sierra RS500. The second car is already in build and it will use a brand new Motorsport specification bodyshell that was acquired at the start of the project. A third donor ‘shell has already been sourced for the final car.
‘This project has enabled us to build a reliable, period correct car that will be competitive in historic motorsport for the fraction of the cost of an original,’ says Alan Strachan. ‘These are to be enjoyed, raced hard and fair and without the concerns of taking a valuable, period car on track. The fans love to see these flame-spitting RS500s on the limt and they open the door to take part in a huge array of events across Europe.’
