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Posted 13 April 2008 - 11:01 AM
I've spoken about this many times over the years, but never actually posted a thread before. I'm much more of a circuit racing fan, so the sight of 20+ Puma's banging door handles round a track always excited me more than any of the rally Puma's competing in the UK. 
The Ford backed 'Ford Puma Cup' started in 1999 season, and went through to the end of 2002, before it was replaced by a similar Fiesta based series (which is still running). The chamionship acted as a support race for the German domestic touring car series, the BERU Top 10 (In the UK, we had the Ford Credit Fiesta Championship supporting the BTCC).
The cars were based on standard Puma 1.7, but had a number of modifactions for circuit use. The engines were fitted with revised cam profiles (VCT removed), a Remus 4-2-1 manifold, sports cat and exhaust, a K+N airfilter, and revised mapping of the PCM. This resulted in the engine having a power output of 145PS at 7,500 rpm
and torque: 160 Nm at 5,300 rpm. The gearbox I understand was fitted with an uprated clutch, different ratios / final drive, and I think a lsd too.
The standard suspension was replaced with fully adjustable Bilstein kit, with changes also made to the front and rear hubs to allow for the Mondeo V6 front brakes and Escort RS2000 rear disc brake set-up. The ABS system and handbrake was also removed and a larger master cylinder was fitted. I also believe spacers were fitted at the front and rear to increase the track of the car. 7.5" x 16" Borbet Alloy wheels, with Dunlop racing slick (or wet weather) were fitted.
(Prototype / Promotional Puma Cup car)
Inside the car, the standard interior was removed and replaced with a single Recaro seat, an OMP steering wheel, Stack instument cluster, and a racing fuel cell in place of the rear seat. Also the car was fitted with a full FIA approved roll cage, Sparco 4-point harness, and full fire extingusher system. Removal of locks, trim, fitment of air jacks, and other minor changes were made to the cars to make them suitable for motorsport.
The Cup cars also had to have a standard set of sponsor stickers on their vehicles and drivers competing were all given similar racing overalls. For the 1999 season, it cost competitors 39,950DM (£16400 approx) to buy a Puma Cup car, and a further 7,000DM (£2900) to enter the Championship. In order to buy a car, you had to agree to race in the Cup for the season.
German Thomas Marschall won the first 8 race chamionship in 1999, Oliver Eichele in 2000, Harald Hennes in 2001, and with Dirk Werner coming out on top in 2002.
Following the end of the championship, some of the remaining Puma Cup cars raced on in the Nurburgring based VLN series and 24hr race. Some others have been converted for use as tarmac rally cars in European domestic series. I also understand at least one has been brought over to the UK to race in one of the modified Ford Championships.
I'll download and post some other pictures I have of the championship in the days ahead if there is interest.
Most of the pictures I've posted above are from a German site motorracetime.de which seem to cover the championship well. 
