Super Saloons: The Forgotten Motorsport You'll Wish You Knew About
If you think you know everything about motorsport, think again. Super Saloons are one of the UK's best-kept racing secrets, and they are nothing short of extraordinary. Perhaps not as obscure as Dutch DAF reverse racing or the famed Macau ‘Celebrity GP,’ but chances are, unless you’ve got petrol in your veins and hail from the UK, you might not have heard of this outrageous racing class.
The Origins of Super Saloons
Even within the UK, knowledge about Super Saloons often comes with an asterisk: you need to be of a certain vintage to recall their heyday. But after experiencing the 2024 Retro Rides Weekender, I’ve discovered why this class of racing deserves a storied place in motorsport history.
Touring car racing boomed in the UK during the 1960s, a golden era where battles raged between Minis, Hillman Imps, Ford Falcons, and Chevrolet Camaros. The ‘Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday’ philosophy was more than just a catchy marketing jingle—it was the lifeblood of the racing scene. Manufacturers started producing special models designed to dominate the racing circuits, and factory teams began to emerge, complete with sponsorships and significant investments.
Regulation Changes and Innovation
The regulations evolved faster than the racetracks. Enter the Group 5 cars of the early 1970s, machines that technically resembled their road car counterparts but were essentially racing thoroughbreds under the hood. Group 1 sought to keep things basic with minimal modifications. But, like any evolutionary tale, niche classes such as Club Saloons, Special Saloons, and Modsports emerged, boasting very relaxed regulations.
If a car had the rough silhouette and wheelbase of its production model, almost anything was permissible. The OEM steel chassis made way for tubular sections, complete space frames, and fiberglass body panels. And the powertrains? They were a playground for creativity, allowing for completely outlandish engine swaps.
Legendary Builds
Take the Austin A30 as an example. The only parts that remind you of its origins are the roofline, headlights, and grille. What lives under the hood now is a 4,900cc V8, a far cry from its original 803cc engine.
Then there's the 'John Pope Special' Vauxhall Magnum. The outer shell may scream Magnum, but lurking beneath is the heart and soul of a 1970s Aston Martin DBS, complete with a monstrous 5.3-liter V8 and twin turbos cranking out up to 900 horsepower.
And it’s not just British makes; American muscle found its way into the mix. Consider the C3 Chevrolet Corvette – a striking build that keeps true to its road-going roots. Then there’s the jaw-dropping Škoda 1300 RS and MG Metro ‘6R4’, creations that look like a child’s drawing brought to roaring, revving life.
The Spirit of Group B
If you remember Group B rallying, you might notice some spiritual similarities here. Granted, Super Saloons lacked the astronomical budgets and the factory support seen in Group B, but they shared a gene – the sheer, unbridled passion for speed. Both forms of motorsport pushed the boundaries of what vehicles could do in the racing context.
These machines didn’t just participate; they embodied the daredevil spirit of motorsport. Super Saloons were wild, unpredictable, and captivating. Watching these cars in action invokes a similar thrill to witnessing a Ford RS200 tearing through a rally stage – only with a lot less funding and a lot more ingenuity.
Why Super Saloons Matter
Though largely forgotten by younger generations, those who witnessed Super Saloon racing up close remember it with clear fondness. These weren’t just cars; they were characters on wheels, each with its own quirks and special abilities. Spending just a single afternoon watching them compete, it’s easy to see why they left such an indelible mark on motorsport enthusiasts of the past.
Whether you’re a seasoned racing fan or just dipping your toes into the deep waters of motorsport history, Super Saloons remind us why we love cars in the first place. Fast, furious, and undeniably fascinating, they are a testament to a time when rules were fewer, and imagination was the only limit.
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn
mariochristou.world