THE CHALLENGES OF RUNNING A CLASS 1 TIN-TOP

Technology advances mean that cars competing in ‘historic’ racing are increasingly complicated. Perhaps the best example of this is the 2011 Peugeot 90X run by Bob Berridge’s

BBM Sport in Masters Endurance Legends. But for another, consider the four-wheel-drive Class 1 beasts of the International Touring Car Championship. So extreme that manufacturers deemed them too expensive, causing the series’ implosion in 1996, they haven’t become any less so in the intervening years as they have become eligible for historic competition.

The 1995 ex-keke Rosberg Opel Calibra currently being restored by Mucke Motorsport Classic was given an outing in the opening DTM Classic race of the year at Lausitzring with Stefan Mucke at the wheel, and led until a head gasket failed. As Mucke puts it, even in period when parts were being frequently serviced and replenished by factory teams, its finishing record wasn’t exemplary…

“The Calibra is a very difficult car with all the hydraulics and electronics, there is a lot of development necessary to get it reliable,” he says. “There’s a big job list!”

The process of rebuilding the engine and gearbox and acquiring spares for components to be lifed properly – in some cases every 500km – is “ongoing, where you can’t say from now to next week you can get all these parts”.

“It’s a lot of parts which has to be made,” explains Mucke. “There is some old stock on the market, but you never know what you get.”

Until a sufficient pool of spares is built up, the Calibra won’t race either in customer hands or again with Mucke behind the wheel. Its complexity makes it inaccessible for gentleman drivers to properly understand and optimise without a professional to set it up.

“We understand it better and most of the systems are running now, but it’s still a way [to go],” Mucke says.

“I’m sure next year will be the year for the car. We will get there, but it’s a complicated car.”

But, he says, the response it got at Lausitzring was worth the travails. “The feedback from the spectators was great,” adds Mucke. “Many people just came to the track to see that car…”