Mithat Diker and His Love of the MK2
For Mithat Diker, who has passed 50 years in motorsport, the Ford Escort MKII has always held a very special place throughout his career. Having Turkey's first Ford Escort MK2 RS 2000 prepared at Berkenkamp Racing in Germany in 1976, Diker made his first start in the car, registered 06 NY 150, at the 1977 Günaydın Rally. Until 1984, the experienced driver contested countless rallies with names such as Necip İrde, Vedat Diker, Ömer Giray and Adil Ünal, achieving many successes.
Another Ford Escort MK2, registered 34 YN 615, which Satvet Çiftçi brought over from Europe as a Gr.2 rally car in those years, also started dozens of rallies between 1979 and 1983, driven by Renç Koçibey with Satvet Çiftçi as co-driver. When the 1984 season arrived, the Marlboro team, made up of two cars, was formed through Koçibey's efforts. 
The so-called "Balta burun" 34 E 9357 was driven by the Renç Koçibey-Can Ünlü crew, while YN 615 was entrusted to Serdar Bostancı-Cihat Gürkan. In the same year, Koçibey even started a number of rallycross events in this car. When the season ended, after Renç Koçibey agreed a deal with Mitsubishi Temsa, both Escorts were sold, and YN 615 passed to its current owner, Mithat Diker.
From 1985 to 1987, Diker followed the Turkish Rallycross and Hill Climb Championships in this car and won countless successes. He also started many rallies. Diker, who shared the car in some events with his brother Vedat Diker, a successful and experienced rally driver in his own right, later continued his career with different cars such as the Lada Samara and Suzuki Swift GTI. 
In 1996, the veteran driver returned to the wheel of a Ford Escort MKII and, over two seasons, took part in rallies, rallycross, hill climbs and circuit racing. YN 615 always held a special place for Diker, who never let the car leave his garage.
By the 2000s, although Mithat Diker continued to appear on the stages at the wheel of more modern cars such as the Ford Escort Cosworth and the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX, YN 615 kept competing too. Through the Ege Asal Metal Challenge, using all the resources of his company to give many young drivers an opportunity, Diker continued to support amateur drivers and entrusted his car to these young names. From time to time, though, he also got back behind the wheel for a nostalgic run at autocross events organised by AYOSK, the club of which he is president.
Having owned this car, which he regards as one of the most important milestones of his career, for 39 years, Diker has now begun work to bring it back to life with a thorough overhaul. For the new season, Diker plans to get behind the wheel of this much-loved car in the Turkish Historic Rally Championship events that fit his schedule.
