We’ve assembled an eclectic mixture of equipment for RACER journal’s annual Nice Automobiles Difficulty. And, sure, we admit that for a minimum of one among them our editorial mind belief’s definition of “nice” is very subjective, to say the least.

That might be the Group C Lancia LC2, a prototype sports activities automobile that totally failed in its mission to match Porsche’s mighty 956, then 962. The LC2 gained solely three races in 34 begins for the Turin manufacturing facility between 1983 and ’86, and was consigned to historical past when its already miniscule price range was absorbed by Lancia’s infinitely extra profitable WRC marketing campaign.

So why do we expect it’s nice? Due to what it meant to us, slightly than what it achieved, and the reminiscences that it etched in our minds. David vs. Goliath; Italian cool and bravado; the sense of anticipation for these high-boosted, all-or-nothing pole runs at Le Mans and, sure, the long-lasting Martini stripes. Generally, a fantastic automobile is extra than simply its accrued stats.

Though stats can clearly construct a case, too. Take our cowl star, the McLaren MP4/2, which earned 5 out of a potential six System 1 titles between 1984 and ’86 (three drivers’ crowns and two constructors’). However what makes that automobile so fascinating to us are the singular focus of chief designer John Barnard in getting Porsche to construct the engine he wished, slightly than settle for any compromise, after which the sizable curveball thrown at his quest for perfection when F1 banned ground-effect aerodynamics earlier than the MP4/2 even left his drafting board.

Barnard believes the one present F1 designer allowed something approaching the extent of conceptual management he loved at McLaren is Pink Bull Racing’s Adrian Newey. And when your vehicles are as nice as 2023’s record-breakingly dominant RB19, why change that? However will we glance again on RB19 for something greater than the stats it produces, or as a result of it leaves us with indelible reminiscences? Solely time will inform.

We’re unsure what the collective noun is for excellent vehicles, however two others being seen via RACER’s prism of greatness on this subject are A.J. Foyt’s Coyote IV Indy automobile and a rallying icon, the Ford Escort Mk2.

In an period when placing a deposit down on a McLaren or Eagle was the turn-key answer to being someplace within the combine, Foyt plowed his personal furrow with a collection of in-house Coyotes – and more and more Foyt-ized Ford engines – culminating within the Coyote IV. It was removed from the trail of least resistance, however the outcomes converse for themselves. The IV made its debut in 1973, was nonetheless successful races in ’79, and earned A.J. his ’75 USAC title and a record-setting fourth Indianapolis 500 win in ’77.

The Escort Mk2 is a basic instance of an strange automobile – on this case, Ford of Europe’s ubiquitous small household sedan – doing extraordinary issues. Launched into worldwide rallying in 1975, the straightforward, rear-wheel-drive Mk2 gained two World Rally Championship drivers’ titles, the final one coming in 1981, when the all-wheel-drive Audi quattro was taking traction to new ranges and (theoretically) obsoleting vehicles just like the Escort in a single day. Not that ’81 champ Ari Vatanen was taking any discover, with the Finn’s sideways model and maximum-attack mindset leaving indelible reminiscences on anybody who noticed it.

Past the good vehicles, bringing us again into the current are some must-read tales together with an interview with newly-crowned NTT IndyCar Collection champion Alex Palou (or ought to that be “not so newly-crowned,” provided that the Spaniard clinched with a race to spare – first time that’s been finished since 2005); a take a look at how the McLaren System 1 group turned its 2023 season round in going from backmarkers to better of the remainder within the house of a few replace packages on its MCL60, and perception on the more and more potent Porsche Penske Motorsport partnership within the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s new-for-2023 GTP class.

Add in tales on 23XI Racing because it received right into a NASCAR Cup Collection Playoffs mind-set, System Drift’s RTR Motorsports, and the newest on the System 1 and IndyCar driver foolish seasons, and we all know that it’s a difficulty you’ll get pleasure from.

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