Ford Sierra RS500 Touring Car - with active suspension?

[William Dale Jr]

I'm sure I saw somewhere that in the 1989 BTCC, Gerrit van Kouwen's Fina RS500 ran with active suspension. How did that fit under Group-A regulations? Is it even true? If so, does anyone have any info or pictures?

[William Dale Jr]

So...nothing then? Has anyone at least got a decent picture of the car?

[stuart05]

I seem to remember something about the car having active suspension of some sort. I'd have to re-watch the season review video to be sure. The big thing at the time was that it ran on unleaded petrol. I think I've got a photo of the car in action at Thruxton somewhere...

[Frank de Jong]

There was one thing special about the car - it ran on leadfree fuel, IIRC. I haven't got any memories about the active suspension - it sure would have interested me, as BTCC-follower on the BBC, touring car enthusiast & dutchman.
Full active suspension would have been nearly impossible under group A rules, I guess - perhaps trick shock absorbers, ride height control?

[Jesper OH]

I thought there were something about active suspension on the JQF-Sierra and found a few news items from Autosport 1989.

First one from August 3rd, where it says that the system has been developed over the past year by Stig Blomqvist and Gianfranco Cunico in a rally specification Sierra. It's even intended to develop the system for road car use.

Two months later and Autosport calls it the "active ride JQF-Sierra", to be driven by Chris Hodgetts (replacing Gerrit van Kouwen).

No explanation found of how the system works though.

Jesper