Maybe only in NZ, But a 40 year old BDA Escort has just won the latest Otago leg of the NZ Rally Championship. That includes beating a certain Mr K Block from the US of A, a Mr A McRae from GB, every other top NZ Rally Driver, all the current 4WD/2WD rally cars cars etc.

This is from the pre event advertising ! "..... and event draw cards Ken Block, Alister McRae and Hayden Paddon."
http://www.otagorally.com/home/

Not since 1987 has a 2WD car won a NZ Rally Championship round.

Paddon, on a fleeting visit home between world championship events, was always a hot favourite to win the Classic Rally component of the event.

However, the performance gap between his 35 year old car and the state of the art turbocharged four wheel drive machines that dominate the contemporary national championship scene was such that no one considered him a prospect for the outright win.

Driving a rear wheel drive Escort BDA - a type of car last competitive on the national stage before he was born - the 28 year old South Cantabrian secured the win with a record breaking run through the final special stage of the event, taking outright victory by 2.5sec from Tauranga driver Phil Campbell.

"I wasn't holding anything back over the last couple of stages," Paddon said at the finish.

Kennard, who along with Paddon's father, Chris, had urged him to press for the outright win, described their weekend as "a very, very special ride".

"The results a surprise. First and foremost we came here to enjoy ourselves in a rear wheel drive BDA and we did just that. Thanks to Tony Gosling for the use of his car and to our entire team for their efforts. A great result before we head back to Europe and our next WRC event in Portugal," Paddon said at the rally finish.
http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/motorsport/341740/motorsport-paddons-rival-drivers-left-awe

I can't stop smiling watching this incar, just so damn beautiful.
https://youtu.be/iqx9cH_r9ig

Also:
https://youtu.be/Jk5Ve3hzsQQ

Just to give some context,SS13. Spectators view.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a80p29xhG0M
By SS13 there had been a lot of attrition.

Cars to watch,
First, Phil Campbell (Came 2nd)
0:37, a Kiwi built Peugeot with a F2 Renault engine, worth it for the noise !
Edit; # See below
Our usual regulars above this.
1.:06 Haydon and Mr Valve Bounce !
1:30 Ken Block
1:59 Not sure but sounds good.
3.10 Alister McRae.
3.15 Marcus Van Klink with the classic rally 2nd placed RX7, worth a watch. He usually wins the classics.
3:20+ Lot's of Escorts, the odd Porche, and our misc. Lot's of Starlets, Legacy's etc, + the V8 capri....


When did an BDA Escort last win a National Rally round ?, 81 was the last WRC win. Last Rear wheel drive win here was in 87.

But we do like our BDA's, as can be seen from the number here.

Edit; Here's an interview with Haydon at the beginning of day 3, Covers his aim for day 3 as well as his testing in Poland starting today (Wed) and some info on his Hyundai Factory drive this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8SOQLlAblg

While we're here, here's the facts on the 'Peugeot' MC2. (MadCreation2)
A typical Kiwi shed built special by a 21 year old Alex Kelsey .....
0-200kph - 7 sec !

BUT there's more !, Cro-molly chassis weighing 140 kg, Designed and built by Alex Kelsey, Double wishbone suspension designed and built by Alex Kelsey, Shocks designed and built by Alex Kelsey, Get the picture ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5WALqr9KTw
And in typical Kiwi fashion, built for not much money but lots of perking race stuff from teams who no longer can use it ! Check the vid for all the details.

And here's some in car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmwuKu0ujAY
(Check the sheep at 2:04!)

Renault N.A. 3.5 litre V6 engine, everything from the chassis, to the wheels and suspension have been specially designed to fit into the completely custom car.
https://www.facebook.com/kelseyracingmc2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1blrI7kt6m8