11.06.2004 The sight of a Ferrari-powered Lancia LC2 Group C sportscar screaming around Le Mans this week was a timely reminder of a the marque's fabulous racing history

The Le Mans organisers staged a reunion of Group C sportscars with a famous tradition in the French classic during the build up to the big race this week.

Legendary cars making a return to the scene of past glories included various examples of the Porsche 956/962C series, which dominated the event from 1982-87, and the Silk Cut Jaguar XJR-11 which won in 1990.

However, the car that really grabbed the attention of the Italian enthusiasts trackside during the Group C practice session yesterday afternoon, was the glorious Ferrari-powered Lancia LC2.

Lancia had withdrawn completely from F1 and sportscar racing in 1955, but inspired by their rally success through the 1970s they return to the track with the 'silhouette' Beta Montecarlo. This 1.4-litre turbo powered racer went on to win is class in the 1979, 1980 and 1981 World Championship for Group 5 cars.

Enthused by the new prototype 'Group C' series introduced in 1982, Lancia evolved the Beta Montecarlo into the open cockpit LC1. However drastically underpowered it was unable to compete with the Porsche hordes.

Lancia looked no further than Ferrari to source an engine that could take them to the front. Abarth downsized the Ferrari 308QV's lump to 2.65-litres and bunged on a pair of KKK turbochargers. The displacement was specifically chosen to allow the engine to be used in Indycar racing.

The new car, designated the LC2, was based around an aluminium monocoque which made use of carbon fibre and kevlar materials. Double wishbone suspension, a Hewland 5-speed gearbox, and advanced underbody aerodynamics, featured on a car which was designed and built by Gianpaolo Dallara, a designer was embarking on a race car building program from which he would never look back.

Three of the 850kg cars were entered in the 1983 Le Mans 24 Hours, and although facing nine Porsche entries, their pace immediately confirmed by 2nd and 4th qualifying positions. However, reliability was still an issue and by the early hours of Sunday morning all the three had retired.

The next year saw bigger engines, improved fuel efficiency and improved aerodynamics, and with Porsche boycotting the race, their best chance for victory. They claimed a 1-2 on the grid, but Bob Wollek and Alessandro Nannini in the sole surviving car only managed to finish 8th after being plagued by gearbox problems, although Wollek did post the race's fastest lap.

1985 saw Lancia enter their third and final Le Mans. Wollek and Nannini qualified third with a car that now boasted 850bhp in qualifying trim, and despite rocketing into an early lead, the two factory cars eventually came home sixth and seventh. Lancia then pulled the plug on their sportscar program which has seen two victories and three championship runners-up slots over the three years.

Seeing the LC2 racer this week screaming around the famous track, resplendent in its original 'Martini Racing' colours, is an evocative reminder to the long and successful racing and rallying history of the Lancia marque.

The 36 Group C cars which took part in qualifying yesterday will race in a special hour long event at 10am on Saturday morning in the build up to the big race. Fastest in the session were Gary Pearson's Jaguar XJR-11 (3:58.549), Charlie Agg’s Nissan R90CK (3:59.817) and the Porsche 962 CK6 of Ralf Kelleners (4:00.013).

Photos: ACO/Nikon