1986 Ford Sierra 3-Door Thunder Saloon

• Superbly built and fabricated to our discerning vendors exacting standards
• Ric Wood 2-litre, generating 540bhp positioned lower in the chassis to reduce the centre of gravity
• Water-cooled, roller bearing T4 Turbo with a MarM 247 shaft with aggressive anti-lag. Variable boost control
• Gearbox built using heavy-duty components with consideration to engine power output
• Escort P8 ECU converted to run 8 injectors, anti-lag
• Distributor-less ignition/coil pack. Twin spark amplifier. Pectel loom
• Dry sump and fuel tank positioned over the rear axle for weight distribution
• Rear-axle/wheels moved rearwards lengthening the wheelbase
• Superbly fabricated aluminium tanks etc. - aircraft standard
• Completely pre-race checked by Ric Wood prior to delivery to auction

The Thunder Saloon Championship is for competitors participating in Saloon, Coupe, and Hatchback cars based on the standard fibreglass or steel production shell and designed to carry at least four people which were marketed before 1st January 2011. This is a championship for ‘Big Boys’ and the regulations are fairly open stating that “All internal engine components are free, clutch and clutch operating system is free but electronic operation is prohibited unless fitted as standard, brake systems and suspension are free provided that Championship Regulations are respected and tyres must fit within the confines of the bodywork in accordance with MSA regulations.”

On offer today we have a Sierra 3-door that was professionally prepared for Thundersaloons and the Dunlop Saloon Car Cup in 2019. Having been stripped back to a bare shell, the car had a full nut and bolt rebuild, with all parts replaced or refurbished and was completed in early August 2019. It’s finished to a road car standard in Ford Frozen White with a lightweight GRP bonnet and wings.

Our vendor has listed the car’s spec.

• Full modern multi-point roll cage
• Ric Wood built engine in excess of 540bhp
• Water-cooled, roller bearing T4 Turbo with a 247 MarM shaft with aggressive anti-lag
• Escort P8 ECU converted to run 8 injectors, anti-lag, and water injection
• Distributor-less ignition with coil pack and twin spark amplifier
• Variable boost control
• Pectel Engine Loom
• Dry-sump oil system
• Gaz adjustable dampers
• AP front brake calipers
• Wilwood rear calipers
• Brake bias control
• New Gripper diff, by Bara Motorsport
• Rebuilt straight-cut gearbox
• Rose-jointed rear end, fully adjustable
• Modified rear beam
• Powder-coated arms and beam
• Twin-pump fuel system with swirl-pot and custom made foam-filled fuel tank
• Two sets of Image wheelsWe imagine that anybody interested in buying a competitive Thundersaloon will know what they are looking for and will have viewed a number of other cars. We would suggest that you take the opportunity to view this Sierra and admire the sheer quality of the build, aircraft-standard aluminium fabrication and the fine attention to detail. This is a proper ‘racing car’.

In late August 2019, the car was raced at Oulton Park in a double-header for the Dunlop Saloon Car Cup at the HSCC Oulton Gold Cup meeting. The first race was effectively a ‘shakedown’, however, race two resulted in 9th overall and a Class Win. We understand that since this event, other than a post-race check and a complete pre-race checked by Ric Wood prior to delivery to auction, the car hasn’t been run in anger. A new fire extinguisher system is awaited and will be fitted post-sale, to the latest MSA regs at our vendors expense.

We imagine that anybody interested in buying a competitive Thundersaloon will know what they are looking for and will have viewed a number of other cars. We would suggest that you take the opportunity to view this Sierra and admire the sheer quality of the build, aircraft-standard aluminium fabrication and the fine attention to detail. This is a proper ‘racing car’.