1989 Tiga GC289
1989 Tiga GC289
Brand
Tiga
Year
1989
Country
Great Britain
Generation
Tiga GC289
1989 Tiga GC289
Brand
Tiga
Year
1989
Country
Great Britain
Generation
Tiga GC289
About this car
Discover the history
The 1989 Tiga GC289, a prominent sports prototype car, was designed to compete in both the World Sports Car (WSC) and IMSA GTP Lights series, marking it as a significant player in endurance racing. Developed by the British Tiga Race Cars, the GC289 was a response to the need for a lightweight yet powerful entry for teams competing in the Group C2 category, a class for prototypes in international endurance racing. With a monocoque aluminum honeycomb chassis and composite bodywork made of carbon-fiber and Kevlar, the GC289 was designed to be extremely lightweight yet rigid, providing excellent aerodynamics and handling capabilities.Â
Powering the Tiga GC289 was a choice of multiple engines, including variants of the Ford-Cosworth DFV and BDT engines, naturally aspirated and turbocharged. These engines provided a power output ranging from 465 to 520 horsepower, making the GC289 capable of impressive speeds and acceleration. The car was fitted with a five-speed manual Hewland transmission, enabling optimal power delivery during endurance races. In terms of dimensions, the car measured 4,410mm in length, with a width of 1,790mm and a height of 1,000mm, and it was built to a compact 2,550mm wheelbase, ensuring agility in the tight corners of racing circuits. Its weight ranged between 800 and 850 kg, offering a balanced power-to-weight ratio that contributed to its competitiveness.Â
The Tiga GC289 made its racing debut in 1988 and quickly became a fixture in the endurance racing scene, competing primarily in IMSA GTP Lights and the European-based Group C2 events. It was designed for teams looking for a more cost-effective alternative to the larger and more complex Group C prototypes, yet it still offered competitive performance. Its first significant race appearances saw it struggle to outclass the more powerful Group C competitors, but the GC289 earned a reputation for reliability and good handling. The car was seen in events such as the BRDC Sportscar Championship and various other endurance races across Europe and North America.Â
Racing pedigree-wise, the Tiga GC289 enjoyed success in multiple racing series, with notable performances in the 1988 and 1989 seasons. In IMSA, it often competed against the likes of the Nissan GTP and the Toyota Celica Turbo, as well as other formidable Group C prototypes. Despite its lower status compared to the full Group C cars, the GC289’s reliability and agility in tighter circuits often allowed it to achieve respectable finishes, particularly in the GTP Lights class.Â
Its racing career continued into the early 1990s, though it began to lose ground as newer and more advanced designs took over the scene. Still, the Tiga GC289 remains a significant part of sports prototype history, demonstrating the innovative engineering of Tiga Race Cars during an era when the Group C era was still thriving. Today, the car is remembered for its contribution to the racing world, particularly in the smaller classes of endurance racing.Â
The car’s technical and racing legacy showcases how lighter, more cost-efficient prototypes could still compete at a high level, filling an important niche in the international motorsport landscape. Despite not reaching the same level of fame as some of the more celebrated machines of the era, the Tiga GC289’s combination of lightweight design and potent engine configurations made it a formidable competitor in its class.Â
