JT191 wrote:
Aska:
Known as the Cavalier in the US, GM’s second world car was again built on almost every continent, with the same basic body form, and locally sourced power and drive train. Isuzu’s model was the Aska, but was available with a turbocharged 2.0 liter variant of the Piazza engine, rendering it the most powerful of the first generation J body cars, and styling cues to match the Piazza, making it more pleasant to look at (appearance closer to the Ascona C).
The Aska was rallied in 5 races 1985 and one race in 1986, finishing in the middle of the pack in Class C. By 1986, Mazda was beating everyone with the Familia 4WD.
I found a little more information on this one.
On October 21st and 22nd, 1983, Isuzu set a world endurance record by running an Aska 2000 Diesel Turbo, covering 5000 km in 24 hours at an average speed of 205.38 km/h.
On November 19-23, 1983, Isuzu won Group A Class 7 at the Lombard RAC Rally with an Aska 2000 Turbo. Overall finish was 39th.
Second place in Group A Class 7 was a Rover 3500 with a 48th overall finish.
Third place in Group A Class 7 was a Mazda RX-7, with a 60th overall finish.
This vehicle was introduced in 1983, so these were racing successes "right out of the box".