Group C 1992 - Suzuka 10 laps - Toyota TS010

Back in 1982, Group-C was introduced, and it was an instant success for both factory and privateer cars and teams. To make things even more affordable, Group-C2 was introduced in 1984.
From then on the success was steadily growing with extensive TV coverage and news articles. At one point, it became more popular than F1. largely because of the excitement, the big brand names, the variety of sounds, engines, cars and offcourse there was the legendary 24 hours of Le Mans.
The success of Group-C racing was a concern for Bernie Ecclestone, Max Mosely and Jean-Marie Ballestre. In an attempt to lure the big manufacturers to F1, they made a proposal in 1989 to change the rules, under the disguise of making the sport "cheaper". The engines changed from free for all to F1 style based, 3,5L, naturally aspirated engines and the total car weight was set at 750 kg. To get the same horsepower out of that engine, and make them teliable, a lot of expensive R&D had to be done. To get the weight down to 750kg, new and expensive materials were introduced, made by specialised companies like Dassault.
The FIA fell for it, much to the displeasement of many manufacturers, fans and especially the privateers.
The rules were implemented in 1991. The older spec cars were given heavy penalties (air restrictors, slower refueling, extra weight and were set back at the starting grid, resulting in fuel shortage, extra wear and a lack of reliability).
Although the new spec cars were spectacular, the smaller teams and privateers left, leaving only the manufacturers that could afford it. Peugeot was quick to develop a successful car.
The name BRM was resurrected. Only one car was made using a screaming but unreliable Westlake based V12.
Mercedes tried with their C291 but only had one win and failed to finish most of the time. They developed a new car for the 1992 season, the C292, but it was never used. Mercedes left and went to F1 in 1993.
Jaguar (TWR) was smart to use the proven Ford HB V8 engine and designed a competitive car; the XJR14.
Mazda used the well designed TWR Jaguar chassis marriew to a Judd V10 engine. The MRX-01 was quite competitive too.
Peugeot was the dominant force with their brilliantly designed 905, which had some teething problems in 1991. The 905 Evo was designed to win, which it did a lot. The 905 Evo 2, nicknamed "Supercopter" was a spectacular display of modern technology and materials and has been an example for future sports cars and prototype cars ever since. It sadly never raced. The 905 is best known for their terrifying V10 howl.
Group-C seaced to exist in 1992 (officially in 1993). Some left for F1, some came into financial trouble, and some went bankrupt.
Other memorable entrants were:
Allard J2X-C, a very sophisticated project.
Lola T92/10, a customer car designed by Wiet Huidekoper.
Brun C91, Raced only one season, never finished a race.

I'm driving the #8 Toyota TS 010 (J.Lammers-A.Wallace-T.Fabi) from 1992, a car designed by TWR's Tony Southgate, using Toyota's V10 engine. It only won the race at Monza, but had no answer to the Peugeots. It did end up second in the points so it was fairly successful.
I finished in 3rd behind the Peugeot 905 (P1) and the Jaguar XJR14 (P2).

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#FIA_GT #WSC #WEC #Group-C #racing #Le_Mans #Toyota_TS_010 #Peugeot_905 #Mazda_MRX-01 #Jaguar_XJR14 #Suzuka #1992 #2stroke4me

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