CNC Motorsport delivers first continuation Ford Sierra RS500 Group A Touring Car
CNC Motorsport has completed the first of three continuation Ford Sierra RS500 Group A race cars, built to Andy Rouse Engineering specification. Developed in collaboration with four-time saloon and touring car champion Andy Rouse, these cars are designed for track use.
The first car was assembled over the last 24 months by Alan Strachan, who worked for Andy Rouse Engineering from 1989 to 1996 and served as a mechanic for the Team Labatts Sierra RS500 in the British Touring Car Championship, along with his son, Andrew. During this time, they also worked on other projects, including a Group A BMW 635CSI build, the restoration of a Merkur XR4TI, and a period Sierra RS500.
The second car is already under construction, featuring a brand-new motorsport-specification bodyshell acquired at the start of the project. A third donor shell has also been sourced for the final car.
CNC Motorsport handled all fabrication for the bodyshell and produced all of the machined components in-house, such as uprights, rear arms, hubs, brake calipers, wheel centers, and the roll cage, ensuring they matched the exact specifications of the original Andy Rouse Engineering cars. With input from Andy Rouse and access to a period Labatts Sierra that CNC Motorsport maintains, the team was able to remain true to the original design. This included fitting a Getrag five-speed gearbox, period-style gauges, a fuel tank enclosure, and a roll cage matching Rouse’s specific design. CNC Motorsport is the only certified producer of period-correct ARE cages, approved by Motorsport UK.
The first car is powered by a 575bhp Cosworth YB engine built by Harvey Gibbs and features a later 10” viscous differential.
“This project has allowed us to create a reliable, period-correct car that is competitive in historic motorsport at a fraction of the cost of an original,” says Alan Strachan. “These cars are meant to be enjoyed, raced hard, and without the worry of risking a valuable period car on track. Fans love seeing these flame-spitting RS500s pushed to the limit, and they open the door to a wide range of events across Europe.”
