On board the Escort RS BDA with just three gears

[RQ1]

Tackling the last stage of the first day on the Lahti, Historic Rally 2012 with just three gears, first, fourth and fifth Jari-Matti Latvala has to max the car in first and then wait as the engine picks up in fourth. Interesting the see how he copes with the third and fourth gear corners when there was none available

The best drivers find a way to overcome what the car throws at them, and such is the case with WRC star Jari-Matti Latvala. While competing in the Lahti Historic Rally 2012, Latvala’s late-70s Ford Escort RS BDA rally car gave up second and third gear, giving the Finnish driver the choice of sitting out the stage or competing with just three gears.

Latvala chose the latter, running the stage with first gear, fourth gear and fifth gear. Given that the Cosworth BDA engine made less than 250 horsepower in the late 1970s, acceleration in fourth gear, when shifting from first, is best described as “leisurely,” but Latvala prevails.

[turbinepowered]

Why only three gears?

[Cousin Eddie]

Why only three gears?

I'm assuming d'ey be broke 'n schtuff?

[PerL]

Why only three gears?

Why quote the video?

[RQ1]

Why only three gears?

I edited my original post with more info

[poopie]

I edited my original post with more info

i just imagine instead of all the rocks hitting the undercarriage its the transmission full of marbles. haha.

[MidnightSpecial]

Dear God.

[MrRoboto]

His driving is so smooth...

[geofftii2002]

Given that the Cosworth BDA engine made less than 250 horsepower in the late 1970s, acceleration in fourth gear, when shifting from first, is best described as “leisurely,” but Latvala prevails.

I at this. Who writes this isht? Clearly a person who grew up playing Gran Turismo or something - if it doesn't have 400hp it must be underpowered, right?

250hp in a Mk2 Escort is monumental! Or just plain mental depending on your views and experience. The Escort is a tiny car and even with a couple of mile of roll cage tubing on board they can't weigh more than 900kg. So 250hp from a BDA will provide you with plenty to keep you going, even if you're missing a couple of gears! This if course not to take away from Jari-Matti's brilliant drive - obviously it requires incredible skill and smoothness to be able to compensate for a wasted gearbox. I'm just saying that a bit of respect is also owed to the little 2l BDA which was somewhat better than "leisurely" even when lugging hard in 4th.

[RQ1]

This if course not to take away from Jari-Matti's brilliant drive - obviously it requires incredible skill and smoothness to be able to compensate for a wasted gearbox.

That's the intent behind this thread, the driving skill set.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...ee-gears-video

[dcmix5]

Watching in-car rally footage is as butt-puckering as merging in my hybrid.

[Lupo TDI]

Hell yeah Rally Drivers. Never give up, never.