Group C cars are basically closed cockpit Formula-1 cars that had to run for 24 hours at full throttle before the party ended in 1994. These Le Mans veterans are the coolest, and I've never been so close to them before. Warning: I came back with tons of pictures!
The rules in 1982 were simple: The cars had to weigh at least 800 kilos, carry a maximum of 100 liters of fuel and get refueled no more than five times in every 1000 kms covered. Manufacturers entered prototypes with liberally exposed flat-sixes, V8s, V12s, V10s and even Wankels in front of their massive rear wings.
The Goodwood Circuit saw some Group C action before, but at last year's Member's Meeting, it felt like they had to hold back a little bit too much. This time, the game was on with the star of the weekend being Mark Blundell and his famous Nissan R90CK, the car in which he did a qualifying lap in 1990 like nobody before, or ever since.
With 24 years of existence behind his back, more than 1,100 horsepower and wheelspin even in fourth gear, he went around Circuit de la Sarthe six seconds faster than the next guy. He won the race two years later with Peugeot.
The Peugeot 905 Evo 1 and its V10 was my personal favorite, so go on and keep buying PSA products because I want to see the French back at Le Mans.
But instead of holding your breath for that, get lost in these pictures and pick your own favorite:
You made it so far down? Great! How about some bonus images from the track?
I thought so...
1989 Aston Martin AMR1
1993 Peugeot 905 Evo 1
1990 Mercedes-Benz (Sauber) C11
1988 Porsche 962
1987 Porsche 962C
1983 Lancia LC2
1990 Gebhardt-Cosworth G901
1983 EMKA-Aston Martin C83
1985 EMKA-Aston Martin C84
1990 Nissan R90CK
1991 Jaguar XJR12D
1992 Toyota TS010
1987 Toyota 87C
1988 Jaguar XJR9
Have a good night Jalops!
Photo credit: Máté Petrány/Jalopnik