Rallying. The word itself conjures images of roaring engines, daring drivers, and cars pushed to their absolute limits on challenging terrains. For many, including myself, there was a time when rallying was the ultimate form of motorsport. While the intensity of that passion may have evolved, the respect for the sport, its participants, and the sheer spectacle of rally racing remains undiminished. There’s an undeniable allure to rally events, crafting unforgettable experiences for both those behind the wheel and the captivated spectators.
Every rally adventure begins with meticulous planning, maps spread out, and strategic decisions about the best vantage points. Accessibility, crowd avoidance, and swift escape routes to the next stage are all carefully considered. A part of me genuinely misses those thrilling expeditions into the heart of rally country.
Rallying, in its raw and untamed nature, presents inherent challenges for spectators. It demands commitment to follow, often unfolding in remote locations and posing considerable risks to competitors, safety personnel, and onlookers alike. While the safest viewing spot is arguably from home, it’s the very element of risk that fuels a significant part of the attraction.
Reflecting on this, I realize how much I miss the rally scene and acknowledge my oversight in not featuring it more prominently on platforms like Speedhunters in the past. Especially considering my location in Ireland, a nation with a vibrant and deeply rooted rally culture. It’s a well-known fact that at one point, Ireland boasted a higher concentration of World Rally Cars competing in its local rallies than in the entire World Rally Championship itself.
Interestingly, my strongest rally memories often revolve around the anticipation, not just the high-octane action. I recall standing roadside, perhaps deep within a forest, often in typical Irish rain. The scent of damp earth and pine needles, the hushed conversations among fellow spectators, a collective calm before the storm of roaring engines. There’s a unique tranquility in that waiting period, just before the silence is shattered by the symphony of a rally car onslaught.
And then, there it is. Nothing compares to the visceral experience of a high-revving, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine echoing through the trees, growing louder as it hurtles towards you at full throttle. Absolutely nothing.
Standing in that precise spot, anticipating the arrival of the Marina Blue E30, all the passion and excitement I held for rallying flooded back. And to witness it all in the presence of a machine as exceptionally engineered as this BMW E30 M3 rally car, it was truly special.
It’s time to rectify past oversights and delve back into the captivating realm of rally motorsport.
Unveiling the Unexpected: This Isn’t Your Average E30 M3
This journey began with a call from Robert Thornton, a longtime friend and the driving force behind Trackday Performance in County Wicklow, Ireland. Robert had a car in his workshop, a truly remarkable machine he believed would pique the interest of both Speedhunters readers and myself. He extended an invitation to photograph the car during pre-event testing, conveniently located near my home in the “Garden of Ireland” on a secluded road. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Several intriguing aspects of this build immediately stand out, many of which are likely to surprise even seasoned car enthusiasts. In fact, unless you’re already acquainted with Kevin O’Donoghue’s Marina Blue BMW, the revelations are almost guaranteed to be unexpected. Despite its unmistakable appearance, this rally beast isn’t originally an E30 M3. Kevin’s rationale was simple yet profound: he couldn’t bring himself to dismantle a genuine E30 M3 to create his ultimate rally car.
Much like the factory-produced M3, this project started with a standard E30 shell, meticulously transformed to full M3 specification using authentic BMW panels. Dunne Motorsport Engineering undertook this comprehensive conversion, ensuring every detail was correct, from the distinct C-pillars and raked rear window to the extended rear shelf. On the surface, everything appears precisely as it should be, a testament to the dedication to authenticity.
Suspension Revolution: Taming the Rally Terrain
While the E30 M3 achieved legendary status in touring car racing globally, its rally career within Group A was comparatively less illustrious. In the World Rally Championship, the E30 M3 secured only a single victory out of 48 entries, with a finishing rate of just 41.7 percent. There was a fundamental mismatch between the E30 M3’s characteristics and the demands of rally stages, primarily stemming from its rear suspension setup. Mirroring the production car, the Prodrive-built rally version employed a semi-trailing arm rear suspension, limiting bump travel to a mere 60mm. This restricted travel, perfectly adequate for smooth race circuits, proved a significant handicap on the unpredictable and often brutal roads of the rally world.
Addressing this critical limitation was paramount. The original rear suspension was completely removed, replaced by a cutting-edge Motor Design Sweden rear axle setup. This radical change dramatically increased rear suspension travel to an impressive 250mm, a quantum leap from the original 60mm.
The front suspension, however, proved to be a more robust design. Consequently, the Prodrive-engineered Group A front suspension setup was retained. Custom Proflex dampers with remote reservoirs are utilized throughout the car, providing exceptional control and adjustability.
Examining the undercarriage reveals a masterclass in packaging. The flat-bottomed exhaust system is just one element meticulously positioned as close to the body as possible, minimizing the risk of damage during demanding rally stages.
Power Play: A Volvo Heart Beats Within
The exhaust system’s connection point leads to what might be considered the most controversial modification, one likely to send E30 M3 purists into a frenzy, if they weren’t already reeling from the non-original chassis.
Visually, it retains the iconic ’80s aesthetic, but beneath the surface, this E30 M3 rally car is a thoroughly modern machine, incorporating cutting-edge technology to ensure peak competitiveness in its class. During its Group A rally days, the original E30 M3 employed a modified S14 engine, producing approximately 235hp at the wheels from a 2.3-liter displacement. However, to contend in contemporary rally competition, particularly against formidable opponents like Millington Diamond-equipped Escorts prevalent on Irish stages, significantly more power is essential.
And that, unequivocally, is not an S14 engine.
It’s a bespoke Motor Design Sweden 3.0-liter 16-valve Evo engine, based on the Volvo B230R. MDS engineered their own cylinder head and block from scratch, effectively creating a new engine that addresses the inherent limitations of the original B230R. The result is a substantial power increase, though the precise figures remain undisclosed at the team’s request for competitive reasons. However, Robert Thornton confirmed it is the most potent naturally aspirated four-cylinder 16-valve rally engine he has ever encountered.
A Volvo-powered E30 with a live rear axle? The rationale behind Kevin’s decision to forgo a pristine, original E30 M3 becomes abundantly clear.
Immaculate Execution: A Rally Car Refined
What truly distinguishes this build is its impeccable execution. Despite being a fully functional competition vehicle, its level of finish surpasses many show cars. The meticulousness is evident in every detail, and the closer you examine it, the more impressive it becomes.
The interior is nothing short of a work of art in its functional and purposeful design.
I was particularly captivated by the impact gun neatly recessed into the carbon fiber door panel on the navigator’s side. Not just its presence – a practical necessity – but the sheer elegance of its integration.
Slipping into the driver’s seat to capture some interior details, a realization struck me: this machine is far more car than I could currently handle. If I had to summarize the feeling from the driver’s seat in a single word, it would be ‘intimidating.’ And on multiple levels. Looking around, it’s instantly apparent that this is a vehicle built with a singular, unwavering purpose. There’s no room for frivolousness; this car wasn’t built for casual enjoyment.
Everything within the cockpit is meticulously designed to either maximize speed or, in the event of a mishap, to provide maximum occupant protection. Nothing is superfluous. Initially, the photoshoot was fueled by excitement, a giddy enthusiasm to document every detail of this exceptional car.
However, those quiet moments alone in the driver’s seat brought a stark awareness of the inherent dangers and risks that every rally crew confronts, regardless of their class or experience level.
Entertaining spectators is merely a byproduct of their relentless pursuit of speed. The singular objective is victory, to be the fastest. It’s an intense mindset, a reality often overlooked from the spectator’s perspective outside the car.
These cars aren’t conceived to be aesthetically pleasing showpieces or conversation starters; they are engineered for unadulterated speed with minimal compromise. Anyone who straps themselves into the cockpit and secures the harness must acknowledge the ever-present risk, the possibility of not walking away. It’s a profound risk by any measure, yet one that countless drivers and co-drivers embrace every weekend across the globe.
This isn’t intended as criticism, but rather as profound appreciation. To dedicate oneself so completely, with such unwavering determination, to a pursuit that carries the inherent risk of life itself, is dedication of the highest caliber. For me, it casts many other sports in a light of triviality and insignificance. I wonder how many soccer players would willingly take to the field if faced with comparable stakes? And I say this as a soccer enthusiast myself.
This experience has only solidified my commitment to further explore the captivating world of motorsport. It’s an exploration long overdue.
Paddy McGrath
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