After two seasons in the Capri, Hans Heyer quit Zakspeed at the end of 1979 and moved over to the GS Tuning-run 1.4-litre Lancia Montecarlo Turbo for 1980. To replace him, Le Mans-winning Klaus Ludwig quit Kremer-Porsche and joined the Ford/Zakspeed team to campaign the promising 1.7-litre car in Divsion 1. Kremer were not pleased to see him go and a court battle resulted in Ludwig having to pay Kremer £10,000 to annul his contract.

But the big Capri boasted 600 bhp and, as shown by Heyer's test run at Hockenheim the previous September, such a machine had the potential to match the 800 bhp Porsche - due in part to the overall aerodynamic/weight advantage of the "Wundercar" design. The aero package was also augmented by a massive rear wing that overhung the width of the wheel arches (see above), bonnet strakes and an adjustable front splitter. In a blistering start to the season, Ludwig won the first four races.

Unfortunately however, it wasn't long before a row broke out over the new wing. As the width of the structure exceeded the bodywork, it's legality was brought into question by Zakspeed's competitors. The design was eventually outlawed by the race authorities and Ludwig was thus stripped of points gained from the two opening rounds at Zolder and the Nurburgring, thereby damaging his title hopes. By way of compensation, Ford/Zakspeed introduced more aero modifications including a Formula One style ground effect tunnel and side skirts and gained five more uncontested Division 1 victories over the season. This was enough to give Ludwig the Division 1 title - but the deducted points relegated him to third in the overall championship.

Meanwhile, there were now three Division 2 entries, with drivers Harald Ertl (Sachs Sporting) and Klaus Niedzwiedz (D & W) scoring six class victories and points scoring back-up from Hans Soldeck (also D & W). At the final race, Ludwig also switched to a Divison 2 car and added a seventh win.

However impressive the Ford/Zakspeed effort was, it was still not enough to beat Heyer's Division 2 GS Tuning Lancia Beta Montecarlo. Heyer's solid performance over the season gave him 156 points and the overall championship - a feat that, after two years and a remarkable tally of wins, Ford/Zakspeed were still yet to achieve.

Ludwig's Division 2 car, Hockenheim 28th Sept.

This is actually quite a rare picture. Come the final race of 1980, Ludwig had enough points to secure Division 1 victory but not enough to win overall. Therefore, to help head off the threat from Heyer's Lancia in Division 2, Zakspeed switched Ludwig to the lower divison at Hockenheim. This is easy to spot because the car is #54 instead of #1.

The DRM visits the UK!

The DRM paid a guest visit to the Donington Park race track in the UK on the weekend of July 5th and 6th. This was for a 40-lap non-championship race, with results not valid towards the championship table.

The event was won by Ludwig with Ertl and Niedzwiedz in 3rd and 4th. Even though this was a non-championship event, Zakspeed did not bring the 'big-wing' car along!

As of that weekend, Harald Ertl holds the Donnington Park Group 5 Division 2 lap record at 1m 10.96s and Ludwig the Division 1 record at 1m 8.53s

Click here for more information