Stuart Turner, Head of Ford Motorsport Europe, together with Walter Hayes, were instrumental in the success of the Sierra Cosworth throughout the late 1980s.

By 1990 however, the rally landscape was changing, with lighter, more compact cars emerging from Japanese manufacturers.

Recognising this shift, Turner pushed for a new direction, persuading Ford’s decision makers to approve the Escort RS Cosworth programme despite initial resistance, not least as the standard Escort platform was front-wheel drive and production would need to be outsourced to Karmann in Germany.

Two key factors ultimately secured approval: the need for a true ‘halo’ model within the Escort range, and the opportunity to utilise the proven four-wheel drive system from the Sierra Cosworth.

Turner famously described the concept as a 'pizza' car, Sierra underpinnings with an Escort body.

Early competition success quickly validated the idea, and Ford’s marketing machine ensured the RS Cosworth became one of the de...