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We’re back at Castle Combe for the Bristol and Swindon RSOC groups’ annual show… Words and Photos:

Jamie

or two small regional branches of the RS Owners Club, the Bristol

and Swindon RSOC groups really are among the most active in the whole country. Not only do they have a plethora of Ford’s finest in their ranks, but the two clubs come together to host one of the best shows of the season. The aptly named RS Combe has been running since 1995, and it shows no sign of slowing down any time soon!

This year, as ever, the show attracted local and national clubs from all over the country. Everywhere you looked beautiful Blue Ovals from various regional groups such Ford Sport South West, Hampshire

& Berkshire RSOC, and of course the Bristol and Swindon RSOCs surrounded you. As well as these you couldn’t miss the awesome displays from model-specific clubs such the ST220 Enthusiasts, and the huge national clubs including XROC and Ford Mania and alike! Our project Focus RS was even on show too, sneakily gate crashing the Swindon RSOC stand!

But it’s not all about the static club displays at RS Combe, far from it. Throughout the day the fast, sweeping track was on hand to provide thrills (and occasional spills!) as it served up relentless track action, drift sessions, and even special parade laps for models

celebrating important anniversaries.Elsewhere you’d find concours

competitions, show and shine contests, traders stands, and even charity rides – with all proceeds going to CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children.

There really was something for everyone, and that is undoubtedly one of the main reasons this event is universally loved by all those that attend. With a relaxed family atmosphere, yet plenty to see and do throughout the day, RS Combe is one of our favourite shows of the year. If you weren’t there this year make sure you get it in the diary for 2018 – to whet your appetite here’s some of the best bits from RS Combe 2017…

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LEE EVANS FOCUS RSThis isn’t Lee’s first Mk1 FRS, but he has known about this very car for a few years. “It used to be my dad’s,” he smirks, “and I bought it off him when he ordered his new Mk3 Focus RS.” A wise move indeed, as not only was Lee able to swoop in and steal the Mk1 before the prices started to rapidly rise, but he also managed to up-spec from his Stage 2 example to this Stage 4-spec car for not a lot extra! “My one was Sabre Stage 2-spec, kicking out about 340bhp-ish,” he recalls, “but this one was kitted out with a hybrid GT28 turbo and a few other bits, along with Sabre Stage 4 software, which meant it produced 397bhp!”

So with the engine work already taken care of Lee was able to immediately turn his attention to other areas, firstly the interior. “I’ve never really liked the Mk1 FRS seats, so went for the Recaros from a Mk2 RS instead,” explains Lee, “the fronts were quite easy – just a combination of standard Mk2 runners and OMP subframes – and the rear bench was surprisingly easy too. The lower part of the rear

seat fits straight in, believe or not! And the upper part just needed some reshaping and new leather at each end.”

Then came the car’s biggest transformation – the wrap. “I went for a matte finish simply because I don’t like spending ages cleaning my car!” laughs Lee. Whatever the reason for choosing it, you can’t say it doesn’t suit this stealthy Mk1 RS to a tee!

Lee’s already got his eyes on even more power in the future too. “I’d like to swap the GT28 to a Sabre 420R setup when I can.” That will see this sleek understated RS kicking out around 420bhp! Nice.QUICK SPEC 2.0-litre Duratec RS, Sabre Stage 4 upgrade, hybrid GT28 turbo, Primary Designs manifold, Pro Alloy intercooler, big MAF conversion, BCS 3in exhaust and sports cat, K&N air filter, AP Racing 362mm discs and 6-pot calipers, KW V3 coil-overs, polybushed, Compomotive MO5 8x18in alloys, 3M 1080 ‘Satin Grey’ wrap, carbon pillar trim and bumper vents, Mk2 Focus RS interior

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WHAT: RS COMBEWHERE: CASTLE COMBE

PARADE LAPSAs well as the full-throttle action on track from the track sessions and drift demos, RS Combe 2017 also marked special anniversaries for various fast Ford models with dedicated parade laps.

2017 saw the RS1600i celebrate 35 years, the mighty Sierra Cosworth RS500 marked its 30th anniversary, both the Escort Cosworth and Fiesta RS1800 are 25 years old this year, while the Focus RS Mk1 and Mondeo ST220 are both celebrating 15 year anniversaries – and all were out on track during the dedicated parade laps to mark the occasion in style!

Escort Cosworth owners marked the model’s

25th anniversary in style on track!

Satin Grey wrap really suits this stealthy RS perfectly!

The Ford Mania stand boasted some eye-catching models on display!

Sabre Stage 4 upgrades see this RS produce a healthy 397bhp!

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MARK HUDD FIESTA MK6Mark’s no stranger to Fast Ford, having graced the hallowed pages multiple times before with previous feature cars. As one of the organisers of RS Combe you’d expect Mark to have a cool car or two on show, but his epic collection includes a mental 700bhp 4x4 three-door Sierra Cosworth, a YB-powered 4x4 S1 RS Turbo, a Cossie-powered 4x4 Mk1 Escort van, and an Escort Cosworth – all of which were on display on the Swindon RSOC stand.

Do you see a pattern here? Cosworth..? 4x4..? So there’s no prize for guessing what lurks beneath the skin of his latest acquisition to the fleet; this wide-arch Mk6 Fiesta. Surely it’s a YB with 4x4 conversion? Nope! This one’s actually powered by the unusual choice of a turbocharged Duratec!

In fact the car was previously featured when original owner, Paul Cyclone, saw it splashed across the cover back in 2010. “To be fair, it’s not changed much since the feature,” explains Mark.

Mark bought the wide-arch monster from Paul about three months ago after seeing an ad on Pistonheads. “I’d always wanted a wide-arch Mk6 Fiesta, and I always wanted to convert one to a Cossie 4x4 setup,” smirks Mark,“ but when this came up for sale it made more sense to buy this than to build one. I’ve got a Zetec Turbo’d Mk2 Fiesta that I use for track days, it goes well but only handles as good as a Mk2 Fiesta can. This, on the other hand, has got all the right bits to handle

properly out on track!”But before Mark ventures out on circuit in

his new toy he wants to increase the power. Currently the turbocharged Duratec produces 300bhp, but Mark wants to see an extra 100bhp or so before he hits the track. “The problem is finding a gearbox that mates to the Duratec that can take that sort of power,” he explains, “so I might swap the whole lot for a Mk1 Focus RS engine and ‘box – tuned to about 400bhp of course!”

That said, Mark’s recently bought another wide-arch Mk6 Fiesta, and this one is actually powered by a Mk1 FRS motor. So maybe that will be the route he takes, although we can’t help but feel there’ll be a YB powering all four corners in the near future!

QUICK SPEC 2-litre Duratec, GT2871R turbo, custom manifold and Area Six 76mm straight-through race exhaust system, CP Racing forged pistons, ARP bolts, Pectel T2 ECU, 550cc injectors, Cosworth Racing I-beam rods, ported head, hub converters, GAZ gold coil-overs, AP Racing six-pots, 330mm discs, Plastics4Performance windows, JWRC bodykit, bonnet, roof scoop kit and carbon spoiler (M-Sport), weld-in roll cage, Sabelt clip off steering wheel (M-Sport), Recaro Apex seats (M-Sport), carbon door cards, Wheel Works CR-Kai 8.5x18in alloys (5x114PCD)

DRIFT DEMOSAs is customary at Castle Combe, there were dedicated drift demos to keep the crowds entertained too. Sadly there wasn’t enough Blue Ovals taking part to make it a Ford-only session, but witnessing the likes of Mk2 Escorts, 100E Prefects, and even a Mk4 Escort van all burning rubber and filling the air with tyre smoke made for quite a spectacle!

We make that 6 ex-feature cars in Mark’s fleet now (5x Fast Ford, 1x Classic Ford)!

Jack Payton’s XE-powered Mk4 Escort van was a crowd

favourite on track

The legendary ‘RS Combe’ Mk2 was out

in full force during the drift demos

Thomas ‘Rusty Slider’ Simpson’s Nissan CA18DET-powered Prefect 100E kept

crowds amused during the drift sessions

Genuine M-Sport rear wing is made from sexy carbon!

Turbocharged Duratec produces 300bhp, but Mark wants to add an

extra 100bhp or so soon!

Full feature on this stunning S2 RS Turbo coming soon...

Mark Hudd’s three-door Cossie (ELE) now

produces over 700bhp!

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TRACK ACTIONObviously, being held at a race circuit, the track action plays a huge part at RS Combe. With Ford owners able to put their cars to the test on this challenging circuit, there was plenty of thrills – and occasional spills – to keep the crowds entertained throughout the day.

Sorted S2 RS Turbo is a Combe regular

There were plenty of fast Fords of all shapes and sizes taking to the track throughout the day!

Feisty little Fiesta ST was on it all day!

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LAURA PRITCHARD ESCORT COSWORTHWhen you’re married to a man who’s renowned among Escort Cosworth owners and fans, there’s really only one car you can drive. “I’ve always wanted one,” explains Laura, “but never managed to own one. I’d had S2 RS Turbos, and Mk1 Focus RSs, but never an Escort Cossie.” Then, Laura, and husband Dave, saw this example pop up cheap – offered for sale minus its engine and gearbox. No problems for a family who trip over Cossie parts on their way to the front door!

A deal was done and the car was soon back at Chez Pritchard, ready for the six month rebuild process that lay ahead. As a painter by trade Dave was never going to let the rough bodywork pass, so the EsCos was promptly stripped back and given a few coats of Pacifica Blue to get it all shining like new once more.

With the bodywork sorted it was time to get the Escort moving under it’s own power again. Dave, known for his big-power Cossie YB builds, wasted no time in assembling a

powerplant capable of the 450bhp target – although he admits he found it difficult to stop himself putting together a 600bhp monster, but this car’s stock MT75 transmission would likely complain if he did!

So a conservative, for Dave at least, 450bhp-spec YB was soon installed under the bonnet and the Escort was up and running ready for the start of the 2017 show season. “I love it,” smirks Laura, “it only comes out at weekends for shows and events but it’s great fun to drive!” We don’t doubt it.QUICK SPEC 2.0-litre Cossie YB, GT30 turbo, 2WD exhaust manifold, ported head, BD12 exhaust cam, BD14 inlet cam, 1000cc injectors, low compressions Cosworth piston, PEC steel rods, Spec-R intercooler, Airtec radiator, Autronic SM4 ECU mapped by Ma Developments, MT75 gearbox, standard diffs front and rear, GAZ gold coil-overs, polybushed, 9x18 Rota Drift alloys, carbon splitter, Morrette headlamps, Mongoose exhaust

BRISTOL AND SWINDON RSOC GROUPSRS Combe is hosted by the combined forces of the Bristol and Swindon regional groups of the RS Owners Club – special thanks should go to all those involved for their efforts in putting on such a great show. For more info on RS Combe visit www.rscombe.com

Built from a rolling shell earlier this year, this EsCos is now show-ready!

Laura’s husband, Dave Pritchard, built the 450bhp-spec engine

Stunning RS500 was among our favourite

cars at the show!