‘Dominant’ 1990 Ford Sierra RS500 racers to be reborn

A trio of Ford Sierra RS500s, built to Group A specification, are set to be created by CNC Motorsport AWS.

The three cars will be sanctioned by touring car legend Andy Rouse, and wear Andy Rouse Engineering (ARE) badging.

As a continuation of one of the most dominant racers ever made, the new RS500s will be eligible for historic motorsport events.

Made to original Andy Rouse specification

Each of the three cars will be transformed from an original Ford Sierra bodyshell by Gloucestershire-based CNC Motorsport AWS. Alan Strachan, the company founder, worked for ARE during the Group A period. 

The outfit is the only certified producer of ARE roll cages, and has access to original technical drawings. This will see exact 1990 Rouse-specification parts used, including the front suspension uprights, fuel tank, and flame-spitting side-exit exhaust system.

Powering the continuation cars will be a newly built Cosworth YB engine. Vic Drake, the original ARE engine builder, will have input into the 575hp units. As someone who made more than 100 RS500 engines in period, Drake’s credentials are impossible to beat. 

A five-speed Getrag manual transmission will be used, sending drive to the rear wheels through a 9-inch viscous differential.

British Touring Car Championship icons

The completed cars will be finished in white, but owners can select from a range of painted liveries. Andy Rouse’s Group A RS500s wore iconic colour schemes during the 1980’s and ‘90s. It means buyers should have plenty of choice.

During his motorsport career, Rouse won 60 rounds of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). This led to four BTCC championship titles, and saw him voted the best driver of all time in the series. 

“When Alan told me he had acquired a brand new bodyshell, we came up with the idea to build correct continuation cars just as we did in our Binley workshop,” said Rouse.

“Having seen Alan develop his own engineering business, he was the only person I trusted to build cars that would carry the ARE build plate.”

Ready to hit the historic grid

Pricing for the CNC Motorsport AWS will begin at £185,000, including the original 909 Motorsport bodyshell. 

Given the amounts paid for Andy Rouse’s own Ford Sierra RS500s, such a price tag does not seem unreasonable for the authenticity behind the CNC Motorsport AWS cars. 

The first car is set to be completed in early 2022 by CNC Motorsport AWS It will come with an FIA Historic Technical Passport, ready for the classic motorsport season.

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