Rally Audi R26 Missing History

tcorey · 30-01-12, 02:35 AM

I notice there are some former David Sutton Motorsport mechanics that post on or view this website. I'm hoping they maybe able to help me with some rally history of long wheel base ex works quattro R26.

I owned and restored R26 from 1999 until Dec 2011, then sold the car to a German collector who resides close to Ingolstadt. During my ownership I was able to obtain the cars rally history with Audi Sport until it was sold to DS in October 1983 and from private owners from 1987 onwards.

In 1987 the car was sold off or traded and was collected from Dove Engineering where it was being stored and used as a model to manufacture composite panels.

I have never been able to obtain its history during the cars ownership with David Sutton, from Oct 1983 through to 1987 sometime.

Can anyone help fill in R26's history from Oct 1983 through to 1987?

This link provides details about R26 - http://www.rallysportmag.com.au/home...=6280&Itemid=2

Regards - Todd Corey

On R26's Matter plate affixed to the front strut turrets had a stamp on it with DS 4.

SteveT63 · 30-01-12, 05:35 AM

Very very interesting read. Do you have any photos of the restoration Todd? They would be great to see if you do.

Groundhog · 30-01-12, 12:54 PM

Hello tcorey

I am one of those ex people. Speaking for myself it is very likely I worked on the car but sadly to a greater or lesser extent the cars were on the whole unknown entities to us – just a job sheet. The only person likely to be able to give the answers to your questions in any depth of convincing knowledge is David Sutton and perhaps John O’Connor. A further obstacle is the fact that both these people are not as approachable as perhaps they were. Might be worth trying Sutton but you will need to catch him on a good day.

Isimmo · 30-01-12, 07:43 PM

Interesting you speak of Dove Engineering too, they were based in Alton and I had a quote from them for a full set of A2 panels back in the late 90's but they sadly stopped trading around that time. Be interesting to know where the moulds went too.

tcorey · 30-01-12, 11:08 PM

I approached David Sutton on a number of occassions when he was in Perth for Rally Australia. Also sent him and his secretary email asking him whether he had the cars history but was unable to help.

tcorey · 30-01-12, 11:14 PM

SteveT63,

There was a few photos on Marc Austin-Zande website of R26 during restoration.

http://rallyquattro.net/

Click on credits and then the link that says geniune group B quattro in Oz

http://dairally.net/urq85/photos/todd/

Todd

stevebaz · 31-01-12, 11:51 AM

Todd

Try and speak to phil short - I think 26 would have been dsm's customer car in 84

Groundhog · 31-01-12, 06:15 PM

Good lead there by Stevebaz.

A word of caution sometimes, not always but sometimes, when digging up histories to rally cars you will discover something you would rather not have. Iv'e seen it before. Only reason in saying this is that it seems strange Sutton could not/would not be more forecoming.

stevebaz · 31-01-12, 08:58 PM

or try martin holmes

AVE-ur20v · 31-01-12, 09:48 PM

Nice thread to follow.
You could also ask Peter Franz at Audi Tradition, he is always very willing to help.
My gearbox has a R 25 history, and this was a bare shell sold to David Sutton, were it was build-up as a works car.
A lot of works-stuff was later sold to ROC /France.

30-01-12, 05:35 AM	#2
SteveT63 Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,045	Very very interesting read. Do you have any photos of the restoration Todd? They would be great to see if you do. __________________ Peace...........through superior acceleration! T85 1985 90quattro I5 20vT T81 1983 80 Sport Red T81 1983 80 Sport Silver

30-01-12, 07:43 PM	#4
Isimmo Super Moderator Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sissix-by-the-sea Posts: 15,218	Interesting you speak of Dove Engineering too, they were based in Alton and I had a quote from them for a full set of A2 panels back in the late 90's but they sadly stopped trading around that time. Be interesting to know where the moulds went too. __________________ 1985 WR quattro, 1985 20vT RallyRep, 1993 MTM ABY S2 Avant. 2010 S3 Sportback.

30-01-12, 12:54 PM	#3
Groundhog Grown up member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 143	Hello tcorey I am one of those ex people. Speaking for myself it is very likely I worked on the car but sadly to a greater or lesser extent the cars were on the whole unknown entities to us – just a job sheet. The only person likely to be able to give the answers to your questions in any depth of convincing knowledge is David Sutton and perhaps John O’Connor. A further obstacle is the fact that both these people are not as approachable as perhaps they were. Might be worth trying Sutton but you will need to catch him on a good day.

30-01-12, 11:08 PM	#5
tcorey Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 10	I approached David Sutton on a number of occassions when he was in Perth for Rally Australia. Also sent him and his secretary email asking him whether he had the cars history but was unable to help.

30-01-12, 11:14 PM	#6
tcorey Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 10	SteveT63, There was a few photos on Marc Austin-Zande website of R26 during restoration. http://rallyquattro.net/ Click on credits and then the link that says geniune group B quattro in Oz http://dairally.net/urq85/photos/todd/ Todd

31-01-12, 11:51 AM	#7
stevebaz Grown up member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 33	Todd Try and speak to phil short - I think 26 would have been dsm's customer car in 84

31-01-12, 06:15 PM	#8
Groundhog Grown up member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 143	Good lead there by Stevebaz. A word of caution sometimes, not always but sometimes, when digging up histories to rally cars you will discover something you would rather not have. Iv'e seen it before. Only reason in saying this is that it seems strange Sutton could not/would not be more forecoming.

31-01-12, 08:58 PM	#9
stevebaz Grown up member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 33	or try martin holmes

31-01-12, 09:48 PM	#10
AVE-ur20v Grown up member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Belgium Posts: 325	Nice thread to follow. You could also ask Peter Franz at Audi Tradition, he is always very willing to help. My gearbox has a R 25 history, and this was a bare shell sold to David Sutton, were it was build-up as a works car. A lot of works-stuff was later sold to ROC /France.