Petrolicious profiles a passionate collector of iconic race including a group B Lancia S4
Group B Rally Cars from the 1980s are some of the most insane vehicles ever made. They were so incredible in fact that they were banned by the FIA for being too dangerous for drivers, passengers and spectators after a series of deaths.
Fast forward to 2016, Group B Rally Cars are highly sought after by collectors. Almost thirty years after they were banned from racing, they are still insane pieces of machinery, even by today’s standards.
Petrolicious, one of the best automotive video producers out there profiles a legendary Group B racer and its passionate and most fortunate owner.
Jon Campion’s amazing collection
Jon Campion came to the United States in 1984 with $26 in his pocket and a whole lot of grit. Growing up in Ireland, he got his first taste of Group B. After several years of hard work, Jon has assembled what he says is a “car enthusiasts collection’.
With the means to purchase some of the most significant vehicles from his youth, Jon has assembled an impressive collection of World Rally Championship rally-winning group B rally cars and a Lotus Cortina like the one his father had when he was a child.
Group B Lancia S4 and drivers
One of the center pieces of his collection, a group B Lancia S4 that competed in the Sardinia Rally has a 1.7-liter four cylinder supercharged and turbocharged engine producing 550 horsepower. The combination of supercharger and turbocharger eliminates all sense of turbo lag with the supercharger handling the load at lower rpms and the turbocharger kicking in at higher rpms. Jon says that the engine was able to get over 1,000 horsepower from the same engine.
Weighing less than 2,000 pounds and equipped with all wheel drive, the vehicle was a beast to drive. Jon says “I drive the car for 15 minutes, and I’m exhausted…” to convey how amazing the group B drivers from the era were.
“Group B drivers were the best of the best of the best…” he says. “But it is still humbling to drive the same car as these rally legends; to be able to show the cars, drive the cars and get a wider audience for these cars.”
“If you own them and don’t show them, and you own them and don’t drive them, and own them but don’t share them… it’s a rich man’s folly.”
Thank you Petrolicious for another amazing profile and thank you Jon for sharing your collection..
Source: Petrolicious
