1989 saw the debut of the SAAB 9000 on the race circuits of Europe. At
this time racing a high-powered front wheel drive car was considered
crazy! However, with 260 BHP and a well developed chassis, the 9000
caused more than a few raised eyebrows as it began to score wins in the
Production car championships. When the car won the championship in its
first year, people started to take competition SAABs seriously.

For the 1991 season a new face-lifted and more powerful 9000 2.3 was
built and raced, once again proving just as successful as its
predecessor and often beating the more powerful rear wheel drive cars
like the Sierra Cosworth and Porsche 944 models that were competing for
the championship.

Despite the supposed technical disadvantages of front wheel drive, the
two 9000s scored many race and championship wins, both in 2.0 and 2.3
guise. These are still among the most successful racing SAABs.

The 1992 season marked the arrival of the new 9000 CS model. Immediately
the car showed staggering form on the race track, winning almost every
race against considerably more powerful cars, almost all of which were
considered to be technically superior in their weight and drive
configuration.

Following in the footsteps of the two 9000s before it the 9000 CS 2.3
was so successful that it won the 1992 UK Production car championship in
its first year of racing and later went on to win the famous Willhire 24
hour endurance race at the Snetterton circuit.

Officially over its racing career, the Abbott Racing SAAB 9000 CS 2.3
has won more events and championships than any other racing SAAB, making
it the most successful competition SAAB of all time, more successful in
fact than the factory rally team.