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Originally Posted by Racing RSi
Yes this is the 'Toms Rattenbury' Red Escort that has been in NZ since Christmas 1985, where it had finished in the BTCC with Alan Curnow driving in DATAPOST livery, No 66. Its the same car that campained along side Richard Longman's Series 1 RS Turbo (No44). After 3 years hunting for the car it came back into the UK July this year. I have returned the car back to Richard Longman and met Alan Curnow, who both confirmed its originality. I am the 4 owner, I met all three owners in NZ and have a comprehensive file of its history in NZ. The car came with its race log book and all its FIA papers. Obviously I will be returning it back to original BTCC spec.
(Having written all this.. I dont know how to add pictures  ) so if any can help me or give me an email address I will gladly send some pictures so they can be added.. |
As I remember, the RS Turbo wasn't homologated at the start of the '85 season, so Datapost ran a single RS1600i (presumably yours?) for Curnow for the first few BTCC rounds? He also shared the car with Longman at the Donington ETCC race.
Once the RS Turbo finally appeared I think they raced one of each in the BTCC, with Curnow joining Longman in the Turbo for the TT?
Although it broke fairly early in the race at the TT, the Datapost RS Turbo had a sensational run in qualifying, slaughtering the other Class 2 cars (over a second quicker than the fastest Alfa...) to start
9th on the grid, not only fastest in class, but ahead of all the 'big' class BMW635s, with only the TWR Rovers, the Volvos, Andy Rouse's pair of XR4Tis and the Brodie Starion ahead of it...