FSO Polonez 2000 Rally

The racing history of the Polonez begins in 1978. It first competed at multiple sports events as a demonstration car until it was granted homologation into Group IV rallying on January 1, 1979.[1]

The body of the car was slimmed down and inside was a roll cage barely meeting the minimum approval. The car did not have side skirts, the body panels were made of metal, and the hood was stripped of its reinforcements.. Corrosion protection covers were used instead of extensions and the car had Cromodora wheels and mirrors . A Cibie battery pack was attached to the front. The car had bayflex bumpers with holes cut out to reduce the weight of the vehicle. It was fitted with additional rallying equipment to meet the regulations. The vehicle had a fuel tank with a capacity of 72 liters. The car was driven on a modified 2.0 DOHC engine that had four Weber carburetors, one for each cylinder or mechanical injection. It achieved 170/185 hp. The car used a metal clutch, a Colotti claw gearbox in five gear ratios, and limited slip rear axle. The rear axle was strengthened with a Panhard rod. The suspension sat on uniballs and Bilstein shock absorbers. The car used a brake system from a Porsche 911 RS with 254mm ventilated discs.

After receiving approval for Group IV, the car was officially sponsored by Walter Wolf Racing and competed in a deep blue livery with a red stripe on the side of the body. One of the Polonez Walter Wolf Racing cars was exported to Canada.

On April 1, 1980, Polonez received approval for Group II. The deep blue and red livery of Walter Wolf Racing disappeared in favor of the national colors. So, the car was styled with a white body and red stripe on the side. The Cromodora rims changed to ATS forged magnesium rims. The vehicle only used carburetor engines and received laminated flaps, fenders and door trim. The car had fiberglass extensions, a VDO dashboard and Vitaloni mirrors. Cibie headlights mounted in the usual configuration or in line with the bumper. With this car, the crew of Maciej Stawowiak and Ryszard Żyszkowski scored in the general classification of the WRC during the rally Portugal in 1980.

On April 1, 1984, Polonez received approval for Group B  . The car used carburetors, mechanical injection and electronic injection. Polycarbonate side windows were used, small steel bumpers from the standard Polonez C. Front spoilers with air stream blades were mounted, which directed the air to the cut out inlets under the bumper to cool the brakes. The chrome accessories and rubber dart from the front bonnet were removed from the Polonez. This Polonez had about 210 horsepower. Yellow varnish with dark blue quadrangles and stripes was used, i.e. FSO Sport painting. In the early 90s, FSO Sport and OBRSO withdrew from rallying. All copies were reportedly dismantled and sold for parts. Today you can only find replicas of rally Polonez's.

• FSO Polonez 2000 Rally - replica built in Poland