Context
In 1976, FIA introduced new regulations for group 2 cars. The cars could not be modified as far as during the 1970-1975 period. Wheel arch extensions were limited, engines could only be overbored 0,6mm and dry-sump lubrication was forbidden. This rule would cause so many issues that by mid-season in 1977 the FIA modified it in an attempt to save the European Touring Car Championship.
Apart from Jaguar, the works team were absent even if tuners like Zakspeed (Ford), Alpina, Luigi, Juma (BMW) and AMG (Mercedes) probably received some form of support.
During the first season, the famous German Ford Zakspeed team entered a new-style Ford Escort mkII RS1800 in the 1300-2000 cc class now with 1840 cc engines - only to withdraw because of oil surge problems.
From July 1, 1977 FIA finally allowed dry sump systems to help teams and for the Nürburgring race, Zakspeed consequently sent two Escorts (Mampe livery) for Heyer/Hahne and Müller Sr./Schommers.
Heyer/Hahne (chassis ZAK G2 001/77) would finish third – proving the competitiveness of the Escort.
Motorsport magazine, Aug 1977
About ZAK G2 004/77
This chassis has been built in early 1977 (harness were dated 01/77). It could be the Müller Sr/Schommers car seen at the ETCC race at Nurburing later that year but there is no evidence to prove it - even if it’s clear that 004/77 was first painted black (like the Mampe cars).
For 1978, the Zakspeed team entered selected rounds of the ETCC. The German squad entered a single car at Monza (Hahne/Mohr, DNF) and at Salzburgring (Hahne/Datzmann, 2nd). At Brno, two cars were entered (Datzmann/Mohr, 8th and Müller Jr/Ringshausen, DNF).
At their home race in Nurburgring, Zakspeed had a strong lineup with Klaus Ludwig and Armin Hahne paired in the #48 Escort while Werner Schommers and Jörg Denzel shared the wheel of the #47. They would be joined by Hahne during the race (after the lead car blew its engine) to take a surprising victory.
At Zandvoort, the Zakspeed team would be less happy! None of the two cars (Hahne/Müller Jr and Ringshausen/Müller Sr) would finish.
The Mampe Zakspeed Escorts also raced in the DRM championship that year.
There are no records to know exactly which of those ETCC and DRM races ZAK G2 004/77 took part in. But it should have been part of the 1977/1978 Zakspeed program - for sure. Hopefully, the next chapters of the story are crystal clear.
Macau Guia Race 1978
At the end of the 1978 season, ZAKG2/004/77 was painted white, and the Marlboro livery was applied for the 25th Macau Grand Prix on 19th November where Zakspeed entered two cars: this one for Dieter Quester (#2 with ETCC-style round arches) and one for Hans Heyer (#1 with DRM-style boxed arches).
During qualifying, Quester was pushed into the barriers by one of the local drivers, HarutoYanagida (Datsun 260Z). The Zakspeed team spent the night rebuilding the car. They were lucky that Jackie Stewart’s crashed his Escort during the “Race of the Giants”. Parts of it could be used to rebuild the front of the Zakspeed car.
It all came to nothing, however, since a puncture in the race moved him into barriers once again after a fine demonstration with Heyer. The latter lost the use of second and third gear, so he had to let Peter Chow (Toyota Celica GT) through.
Hans Heyer, Dieter Glemser, Erich Zakowski and Dieter Quester
Herbert Stenger
At the end of the year, Ford Motorsport Köln asked Zakspeed to provide a car for Herbert Stenger, the 1978 European Hillclimb champion with this Ford Escort Group 1.
ZAKG2/004/77 had to be resprayed in red/blue/white (Heigo/Sachs livery) and Stenger used it to claim the title in the German Hillclimb Championship.
Stenger also nearly missed the crown in the European Hillclimb championship. He scored class victories at Ampus, Alpl, Estrela, Dobratsch, Tento Bondone, Macerata, Potenza, Mont Dore and St. Ursanne.
For 1980, Stenger got a new car, and this one was sold via a Ford dealership in Germany to Guido Fillipini in Italy. He did one race at Magione in 1984 and then raced it the last time in 1992 before selling it to Chiavacci's father and son.
From Italy to Belgium
In 2016, renowned historic BMW touring car preparer Alex Eliott had the opportunity to buy the car thanks to its connection with Johnny Cecotto who was in contact with the Chiavacci's.
Eliott got the car and started digging out to retrace its history. That's where Gipimotor bought it and began a complete restoration.
Restoration by Gipimotor
When the Belgian historic racing specialist Gipimotor bought ZAKG2/004/77 in July 2016, it was still in a very original condition. Nevertheless, the car was entirely stripped down and restored while preserving its authenticity.
Once the restoration was completed, the car has been sent to Zakspeed in Niederzissen to be certified.
ZAK G2 004/77 is now ready to hit the track again!
