PHOTOGRAPHY & WORDS: Tom Horna

Group 5 was an FIA motor racing classification which run from 1966 to 1982. There were four generations of Group 5 cars…..

Initially (1966-69) Group 5 regulations defined a ‘Special Touring Car’ category, then from 1970 to 1971 the classification was applied to limited production ‘Sports Cars’ which were restricted to 5 litre engines. In 1972 The Group 5 ‘Sports Cars’ category was redefined to exclude the minimum production requirement as well as limit the engine capacity to 3 litres. From 1976 to 1982, Group 5 was for ‘Special Production Cars’ where FIA allowed extensive modifications to production cars (excluding their bonnet, roof, doors and rail panels). Therefore the cars were built to standard body widths with extremely wide mudguard extensions.

This year, it was the Group 5 cars that made it an event not to miss.

Freezing cold Goodwood Circuit welcomed the likes of the BMW M1s, Kremer-Porsche 935s, Zakspeed Ford Capri, Ferrari 512BBs and BMW 320s and the warm spirits of their drivers and the high-speed demos made this the most exciting Members Meeting this year.

Breathtaking sounds, exhausts spitting fire and optimistic drivers made the demo exactly what I was expecting. One of the favorites’ was the beautiful blue ‘Fruit of The Loom BMW 320’ which Dutch rally driver; Kevin Abbring, put on quite a show – view Kevin Abbring in action here.

Another favorite of ours was the spectacular Porsche 935 ‘Moby Dick’ which has been kindly provided by the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. ‘Moby Dick’ was built to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 and it was driven at the members meeting by the upcoming racing star, 17-year-old Irishman; Daniel Harper. In his own words: “It’s an incredible car”