[video] 1986 Australian Group A racing

Group A started in Australia in 1985, the old Group C RX7's, Falcons, Camaros, and turbo Bluebirds dissapeared along with the wide tyres, flares and aero. In was homologated cars, limited aero, and limited rubber. The newcomers were from europe, with the Volvo 242 turbo, the BMWs which were even more formidable under the new rules, and later on (1987), the Cosworth Sierra. In the meantime the Blue Oval was being represented by privateers in the Mustang. It was also the time where Toyota stuck to its guns making its little Corolla unbeatable in its class for about 5 years straight. Nissan dropped its turbo Bluebird, for the Skyline. It was the time where turbos were not just thought of as "hand-grenades" but clear outright contenders...


Volvo 242 turbo. Big horsepower, great under brakes. Very dominant in the early stages of GroupA, until Volvo pulled the pin at the end of 86 and decided they couldn't be arsed racing anymore.


BMW 635, low horsepower, but its linear delivery meant it was kind on tyres, and impressively quick in the rain.


Nissan DR30 Skyline. 2 litre 4cylinder, making around 360hp at the start of the season, more later on. Its relatively old school IRS meant it destroyed rear tyres at an alarming rate.
Right behind it is a Holden V8 VK Commodore. The traditional favorite. ~400hp.


BMW E30. mid 200 horsepower, coupled with light weight, made for "david and goliath" battles with the V8's. Destroying them in the corners, then getting left for dead on the straights.


Ford Mustang. Lacking in hp compared to the v8's, and the turbo cars. the mid 300hp stang was still marginally better in handling than the Commodore, but really it was lacklustre, and Fords biggest assault in GroupA was done later, with the formidable Cosworth Sierra.

What all of these cars have in common? Next to no aero, and a distinct lack of traction. Which makes it lovely to watch, even when theres not much overtaking, just watching them twitch and skate about the track is great.

So here it is, 100meg and about 10minutes.
http://guidance.net.nz/video/86r1.avi

tony longhurst drifting the fuck out of his e30 is fuckin awesome :>