Date: Sat, 09 Apr 2005 05:02:05 +0100 From: Pooh Bear <rabbitsfriendsandrelationsnospamail.com> Subject: Abbott Racing and the 9k
1989 saw the debut of the SAAB 9000 on the race circuits of Europe. At this time racing a high-powered front wheel drive car was considered crazy! However, with 260 BHP and a well developed chassis, the 9000 caused more than a few raised eyebrows as it began to score wins in the Production car championships. When the car won the championship in its first year, people started to take competition SAABs seriously. For the 1991 season a new face-lifted and more powerful 9000 2.3 was built and raced, once again proving just as successful as its predecessor and often beating the more powerful rear wheel drive cars like the Sierra Cosworth and Porsche 944 models that were competing for the championship. Despite the supposed technical disadvantages of front wheel drive, the two 9000s scored many race and championship wins, both in 2.0 and 2.3 guise. These are still among the most successful racing SAABs. The 1992 season marked the arrival of the new 9000 CS model. Immediately the car showed staggering form on the race track, winning almost every race against considerably more powerful cars, almost all of which were considered to be technically superior in their weight and drive configuration. Following in the footsteps of the two 9000s before it the 9000 CS 2.3 was so successful that it won the 1992 UK Production car championship in its first year of racing and later went on to win the famous Willhire 24 hour endurance race at the Snetterton circuit. Officially over its racing career, the Abbott Racing SAAB 9000 CS 2.3 has won more events and championships than any other racing SAAB, making it the most successful competition SAAB of all time, more successful in fact than the factory rally team.
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