Ford Escort Mkll  RS1800 - B.Waldergard / H.Thorszelius. Winner 1977 Safari Rally

Ford Escort Mkll RS1800 B.Waldergard / H.Thorszelius. Winner 1977 RAC Lombard Rally

Drivers J. Kleinschmidt - A. Schulz

Spectacular comeback for Peugeot, trying to repeat history in (successfully!) copying the success story of the 205 T16. The 206 WRC competed in its first full season in 2000 and won both titles first try. In the makes championship this car kept being unbeaten for 3 years in succession. In 2002 the 206 dominated the championship that much that the opposition manufacturers felt demolished and that die hard fans of the opposing teams felt it hard to believe everything was on a fair level, which it however was. By the end of its career as a works car, within only 4 years and a little bit, the 206 won 24 WRC events. This is the best indication how competitive this Peugeot was. With WRC event victories the 206 won more events than such illustrious cars as the Audi Quattro, the Ford Escort Mk2, The Lancia Stratos, in fact the Peugeot 206 turned the most successful rally car model of all time with the sole exception of the group A Lancia Delta.

In 1988, Lancia gained 10 victories out of 11 rallies and the world title, won well before the end of the season. The 8 valve Delta had won, ahead of every rival in every continent, demonstrating its unrivalled performance, reliability and durability. But Lancia did not let this lull them into complacency, the 16 valve HF Integrale was being developed and was to run alongside its stablemate during the 1989 season. The new car was identifiable from its predecessor by the raised centre of the bonnet to accommodate the new 16 valve engine. The other exterior changes visible were; wider wheels and tyres and new identity badges front and rear.The torque split was changed to 47% front and 53% rear, this gave the car better handling characteristics, on tarmac, where the Ford Cosworths were beginning to show their potential. Both the 8 and 16 valve cars were in use by the Works Team during the 1989 season, the 16 valve made its successful debut on the Sanremo Rally with Miki Biasion. 

A quite exceptional die cast model of the Ford RS200 rally car with additional bonnet mounted headlights for night stages. It would be easier to descibe what doesn't open on this model! Under the bonnet there's the front transmission unit, plus working steering and suspension units. The doors open to fully display the detailed cabin interior, while at the rear the entire tailgate can be raised to display the rear suspension units and spare wheel. Under the removable cover is a detailed engine complete with distributor and wiring.

This really is a die cast model like no other.

 Loeb was born in Haguenau. He grew up in Oberhoffen-sur-Moder wanting to become a gymnast/acrobat, but instead turned his interests to racing as an adult. In 1998, he started entering events in the French Citroën Saxo Trophy series, winning the title in 1999. Guy Fréquelin, Citroën Sport's Team Principal, would serve as Loeb's mentor as he entered the Junior World Rally Championship, which he conquered in 2001. During this time, he was also released for participation in various World Rally Championship events in the Citroën Xsara, where in Sanremo he surprisingly hounded Peugeot tarmac wizard and eventual victor Gilles Panizzi to the finish.2002 would be Loeb's first full-season with Citroën. He won the Rally Germany, the first event of his flourishing career, although on road he also won the season-opening Rally Monte Carlo. His victory was taken away by a controversial time penalty after the last stage, which gave victory to second placed Tommi Mäkinen. In 2003, Loeb won three WRC events before losing to Petter Solberg in Wales Rally Great Britain and also losing the championship to Solberg by just one point.

Markko joined Ford Rallye Sport in 2002 and took the lead in a WRC event for the first time at the Cyprus Rally. He led again at the Acropolis before a puncture ruined his chances of getting a victory. Martin stayed at Ford in 2003 and achieved excellent performances in New Zealand and Argentina... only to retire. Markko took his revenge at the Acropolis Rally. He led the event almost from the start until the finish and won his first WRC victory. On top of that, the Estonian won in Finland in front of the local stars. The 2004 season confirmed that Markko Martin was one of the best drivers in the world. The Ford driver won in Mexico, Corsica and Catalunya, the latter two events on asphalt. Martin finished third in the 2004 standings.