FIA Group 5 class racing went through four distinct generations from the early touring car races of the late 1960s through the off-the-wall bonkers silhouette racers that dominated the international sports car scene from about 1975 to about 1983. Perhaps the most iconic and dominant racer developed for this series was Porsche’s 935, but its closest competitor—in Europe, at least—was the Zakspeed Group 5 Capri.
The German-based Zakspeed Racing was in deep with Ford by the end of the 1970s, having developed the Detroit company’s efforts in the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft—the precursor to DTM. Ford wanted to push on into international racing with a two-headed assault on FIA racing with a Group 2 Escort and a Group 5 Capri. The latter was developed into the ultimate success seen here. With Klaus Ludwig at the wheel, Zakspeed and Ford won the 1981 Group 5 international championship.
Watching a special machine like this one zoom and spit its way around the track, particularly one as legendary as Germany’s Nürburgring, must be an absolute joy for anyone who appreciates motorsport history. Thanks to the video genius that is 19Bozzy92, we get a little taste of what that might be like.
Click play. Crank up your speakers. Sit back. Enjoy five minutes of Group 5 bliss.
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