his may be a little difficult to be Detroit Grand Prix, according to Roy T lieve after years of ever-escalating Lunn, president of / Sport and racing costs, but we'll give it a try SPORTS the designer of the . anyway: The cost of fielding a competitive "We announced the new corporation sports racing car has just taken a huge (Renault/Jeep Sport) at the grand prix, and leap downward. as I came off the platform I was met by How can that be, you ask? A misprint? RENAULT some of the high-level people at the SCCA Nope. The car you see here on these pages who said they'd like to talk to me about can be had, complete, for $10,000. Well, this vehicle. I agreed to come in with a almost complete. You'll have to add a ARRIVES proposal and we brought it to a resolution. battery and your own paint scheme. But ''We just set to work and completed the the rest of the car? It'll all be there when sports racing car built by one manufac­ design and the prototype, and showed it at you open its shipping crate-bodywork, turer, using street radials and -a stock Atlanta and it was an instant success. The wheels, tires, , engine, instru­ production engine from the European SCCA sold 111 of the in three days and ments and all the rest. Renault R9. The only variable will be this is indicative that the segment the club Sound like a pretty good deal? That's the driver skill. is aiming for is really there-there's a need general idea, an idea that spread like Perhaps the best part of the whole idea, to have affordable racing again.'' wildfire at The Runoffs this year where aside from the concept itself, is that the Sure, the need is there, but why Renault? 111 people made deposits on their own price of the new cars will be fixed for three According to SCCA President Nick Craw, copies of the car, which will run in a years, as will be the cost of replacement "Renault has a tremendous combination of national SCCA class next season. parts. According to SCCA offidals, "We international and domestic experience in The formula is called Sports Renault and expect the price of used Sports Renault cars racing, and our objectives came together its concept is so compelling that it became to_ be very stable and to maintain a level very well in the creation of this class.'' The a million-dollar idea the very weekend it very close to that of a new car." objectives? Says Craw, "Trying to create a was sprung on the people it was intended SCCA brass say that the idea of a spec unique racing class that has a high level of for. Hard to beat that kind of a vote of sports racing car has been under considera­ participation and a minimal cost.'' confidence. tion for a couple of years. The whole So much for the SCCA' s reasoning. Why It's certainly a simple enough notion: A concept jelled, however, at this year's is Renault involved? Lunn says, "We kind CAN RACING BE AFFORDABLE? MAYBE, JUST MAYBE •••

JA!fUAR'(,39 instance, are drawn to a written specifica~. tion, to a set of rules, but one guy will design and build better than the next guy, and thus you get the constant outmoding of the cars and the escalation of the costs. This car will have one builder and all the cars will be built alike. The only difference between them will be the skill of the driver. "The initial cost of the vehicle, and the costs of maintaining it, will be kept low by things like running on street radials and by making it so you can use only the supplied pieces to stop this constant spending to tweak the car still further into better performance." Lunn says a weight limit for the car has not yet been set, but that he expects it to be in the neighborhood of 1300 pounds, in­ cluding driver. The idea is built around a 180-pound driver. Lunn says a 120-pound driver will have to add 60 pounds to the car, and the ZOO-pound driver will be in trouble. "He'll have to take a slimming course." The car will be packlged and shipped Sports Renault from Livonia, Mich., by Renault/Jeep ...... 92 in. Sport. The parts themselves, those that are Length ...... 144 in. not pulled from various of the company's Height ...... 39 in. parts bins, will be constructed by various Width ...... 67 in. suppliers, not all of whom had been Track, fir ...... 56.5/57.5 in. designated by press time. Weight (with driver and fuel) ... 1300 lbs. The car itself, in fact, has not been com­ ENGINE pletely finalized, though one working Position ...... Transverse, amidships prototype, the one shown at The Runoffs, Type ...... In-line 4, ohc does exist. Says Lunn, "We see things we Displacement...... 1700cc want to change, but fundamentally the Compression ratio ...... 10:1 cars will be like the prototype." Bore ...... 81mm/3.18 in. Those changes will be made after a series Stroke ...... 83.5mm/3.28 in. of test sessions that will be conducted this ...... 85SAE @ 5000 rpm Torque ...... 108 lbs/ft. @ 3000 rpm winter by several · different dfivers, according to Craw, who says, "We want to get different perspectives from a couple of of cover a broad spectrum of racing different angles. As happy as we are with activities, Formula 1 and a whole set of the prototype, it's only a first step and we things in between, to things like the see these test sessions as opportunities to Renault Cup where we run Alliances on make refinements. We'll do whatever it the West Coast and, on the East Coast, takes to make sure the car is as close to Encores. This is a pure race car, up a level perfection as we can make it before it goes from the current production cars." into production." Lunn says the biggest challenge he faced The club is now soliciting bids from in the design of the car was keeping it qualified racing car distributors around the The Sports Renault's sturdy space frame is simple. "It's a real racing car," he says, country. Those accepted will be awarded visible in the top and center photos. The "but in order to meet our objectives we exclusive market territories. They'll be car's cockpit {bottom} is roomy and had to use a high percentage of standard able to assemble cars at their locations and uncomplicated. production pieces-engine, transmission, supply replacement parts for the owners. Photos by Jim Alvis brake parts-doing this and still Also for the owners will be what Craw maintaining the concept of a real racing car calls a very healthy contingency program was a real challenge." for a national class next season, and an Lunn continues, "This car was drawn to even more healthy pro series in 1985. a set of objectives, and that's the real All in all, this could be the beginning of difference between this class and other just the kind of racing series a large number one-design classes. Formula Fords, for of people have been waiting for. -]YI' "\ I •

40 SPORTSr'A R • MAffERS OF THE MOMENT

.RETURN OF THE CHAMP D It would appear that 1983 Trans-Am champ David Hobbs will be back in the series for 1984 with the Neil DeAtley team, along with '83 teammate Willy T. Ribbs. Though Ribbs' participation in the '84 series has been the subject of some speculation, he has confirmed he'll return and he plans to fill out his racing program with selected rides in the CART Indy Car program, including the Indianapolis 500, making him I · · •. 'f{; bablf'ili 'tlie forrn Of CO~tingency ffiOney at the first black ever to run that SOUTHLAND SCCAnationals and the CSPRRC. There are event. Apparently the team wfth which Ribhs will run has CORP. BETS BIG also rumors the !load Atlanta winner might not been finalized-it looks to WITH FORD..,t~t : be given aride in the British be either the Shierson or . . . ,. .):-,it . . , .,. ·· Festival a week la(er at , all part Gilmore equipes, with betting D will beQiiying a MercwY Capri. , of increased supPQrl by Ford for U.S., British in tht;se offices leaning toward in the '84 'Irans-~)vith 7-Eley~wChi.et· and European F~rmula Ford competition. Autoparts sponsci,i-~1tip, .. thanks.(lo.:ran' Gloy's '!rans-Am wins' at Sears Point in ·~ the Doug Shierson team. I ei.timated s;rn., Qiijlipn investni<:Il\}bY:i. 1981 and again inJ982 are Ford's only'Irans­ ··•$1MJa,5;111E~f\.U.l.l Southland C~rporatidn to back 'Fhrd' and'. ... Am victories over the past ten years, and Tom PIROGRESSES Mercury prop.ucts ip'.·: five major pro race. figures to improve that record dramatically series over the next three years. in 1984 based on his consistent finishes this •D There is progress in two Ford and 7 -r:1even are also expected to get year. Gloy Sports (formerly Lane Sports) will different areas in the Sports behind Formiµa Ford with more torque, pro- prep the car. Renault program, introduced to members during The Runoffs. First of all, by press time the SCCA has received undergoing torsional' rigidity Corvette; 300 ZX Kathy Maleck. We're in deposits fo~ 172 cars. An testing. Some areas of flexi­ Turbo; Dodge Daytona Turbo receipt of the first issue here at SCCA spokesman said orders bility have been identified and Z; Mustang GT 5-liter; the sumptuous SportsCar" have been averaging approxi­ the is undergoing a Mustang SVO Turbo; offices in the penthouse suite mately five per week, with triangulation redesign.-·, An RX-7 GSL, SE and GS, with high atop the towering PCB inquiries running at approxi­ SCCA source, who says the car the l3B engine; Capri RS; Publications building in mately a dozen per day. has been "way overdesigned," Plymouth Lazer Turbo Z; industrial-international Santa The other area of progress is says that weight is being taken Pontiac Trans Am HO 5-liter Ana, and we' re impressed in testing of the race cars. Two out of the car by the following with the WS6 handling with this first effort and wish chassis exist at present. The methods: use of thinner package; 944; Pontiac Kathy and her publishing first is undergoing durability fiberglass body panels; use of Fiero 2.5 with the WS6 cohorts lots of luck. tests at an AMC test track near thinner-walled tubing in the handling package. Those of you who w<>ulJ Dearborn, Mich. Reports car's space frame; and replace­ The Corvette's approval, it like to contribute to the letter. indicate this has gone ment of the prototype's steel should be noted, is tentative, receive it or know more ab< ,u t smoothly, with the exception floor pan with a bonded made so by the board because it may write Kathy at :-;20 of a clutch problem that has aluminum pan riveted onto of what it calls its lack of Second Ave. South ..\1111ne· been worked out and a fuel the car's bottom. performance record. The apolis, MN 55423. feed problem. The car was thinking in apparently cutting out in left-hand turns SSGT LATEST is that if the car is too fast for CLUB AFFILIATES and this eventually was traced D If you're a runner in SSGT the class it will be withdrawn. WITH POWERCARD to the use of an electric fuel you'll be interested in the D The Club <>f WORKERS UNITE! pump, which apparently was latest news from the Competi­ America is offering dfl< ,t her overloading the fuel system tion Board and Board of Direc­ D That may sound a bit . money-saving benefit 1,, its and flooding it during left­ tors. The board voted not to er, Marxian, but that isn't membership. Powercard1 l SA handers. The pump was allow current-year cars in any what we mean. We're talking is a group-discount hu,,11<·,s changed back to the stock SS class except SSGT. about corner workers, who card that will al!,,w -.,cc.\ mechanical unit and the The cars, all of them 1984 may wish to unite behind the members who pure!,",,. ":,: problem was solved. models, are as followc· o v r- o I Jon I- T\.T 'l ~; "n ri l ,....,.. ... ,-4 f.n. h,,~, Chassis number two is Camaro Z28 HO 5-l

(re,hruary IC/t'f) RR/ \h\ 13 •

• Sports Renault hink for a minute what most racing should best of all, SCCA is aiming to deliver a Sports T be. Simple. Straightforward. A true test of Renault in semi-kit form for under $10,000 excluding driving skill rather than a seemingly n.ever­ the cost of shipping and a battery. en.din.g, never-won, costly process of upgrading The concept ofSports Renault is a no-non.sense, long equipment. Great fun. Close. Competitive. And most of all, affordable. overdue one aimed at producing a high quality racing machine. The SCCA will be the sole source For over a year SCCA has been developing and of supply for all Sports Renault vehicles and will refining just such a concept. Now it's proudly strictly control bwld quality and compatibility of being introduced as Sports Renault, a technically replacement parts. Rules will concentrate on pro­ advan.ct:d, exicitin.g, affordable, one-design class viding equal performance while minimizing of single-seat sports racing machine for Region.al expenses and will be strictly en.forced by the SCCA. and Nation.al competition beginning in 1984. And Sports Renault will run on high quality street radial tires to help control costs and to further make sports r------, Renault a comfortable, easy-to-adapt-to racing Like to Know More? experience. Special programs will also be developed to keep replacement costs to a Fill out this coupon and send it to: minimum. This innovative concept is even being The Sports Car Club of America applied to the method ofshipping and building the Attn: Bill King · semi-finished racers. The chassis will be bolted to 6750 S. Emporia a large,crate; the engine will be placed in its bay; bodywork in primer will be attached to the chassis; P.O. Box 3278 and all necessary compon.entry, wheels, tires, and Englewood, CO 80155 instructions will be in.eluded.

D YES! Please send me more informa­ tion on the new SCCA Sports Renault. D Please send me an order form. Name ______Address.______City ______State ___ Zip ___ ~------Inc. could wind up sourcing parts directly and in fact manufacturing the Sports Renault kit if a satisfactory Se~te Class For vendor cannot be found. ·Formula· 2000s? . ·oF THE Trans-Am To GTl Turbos New Orleans

1 The recently announced 1987 SCCA Bendix 'Ikans-Am schedule become a Formula 2000-0nly class. features 14 dates, including new Under the Comp Board proposal, all venues at New Orleans and Long current FC cars~with the exception SCCA Board of Directors decided at ised to hold the kit price to S10,000 Beach and one "TBA'.'. ' of F2000 cars-will be moved into the Runoffs to re-open and ~d (or three years and kept that promise. The "Nahlins" event, called the (. Formula Atlantic. F2000 . called the bidding process to determine a. Right'now we have 10 cars in stock New Orleans International Racefest, ; .. is Super Fot9 and Formula Ford 2000 replacement for Renault Jeep ~rt. which can be purchased for the same will be an Oct. 18 street race on a i,u other .countries. The RJS three-year contract to con·. price as three years ago. Who knows, 2.1-mile, nine-tum circuit laid out on The ·Board'Of Directors will ict on struct the SCCA's spec car expired by ex:panding the population of the concrete roads around the Super· thia and otfu=r Comp Boarclsugges· Oct. 31. potential bidders maybe we can hold , just two blocks from the city's ·tiQns at its Nov. 21·23 meeting in The announcement came as a sur· · to Slei,000 for another three years. famed French Quarter. "It'll be a fast Denver. If· the BoD · approves the prise. As noted· here last month, it · That's a goal worth some extra one:· says organizer Bill McVey. who Comp Board recommendations, they was anticipated that a new Sports effort!' also was a founder of the St. will become effective for the 1987 Renault constructor would be intro- An on-going, low-cost supply of Petersburg event. The New Orleans season. duced with some fanfare at the Run- · -engines, transmissions .and other event will conflict with the Runoffs, The full Comp Board mintltes ap­ offs. However, re-opening the bidding Renault. production car Pa$ used in which will be Oct. 16-18. pear In~ on page 91, but here process and providing a comprehen• the Sports Renault is already assured. Possible sites for the Sept; 6 ''TBA:' sive bid package to all comers .was SCCA having contracted with RJS for include another southern city. . are so~ ~ highlights: only part of the BoD's surprise. the 'next three years at prices Gone from the 'lhms-Am schedule ;: • The Copip Board· recommended 'lb guarantee parts availability guaranteed to be the best possible. 'lb is the fall Sears Point date and the , fuel management during the three-to-four months this · bring costs still further under SCCA Riverside ·race. -~ systems amHuel·lnjection systems be selection process -will take, the BoD control, however, the BoD also de· 1 , outlawed In GTl; . directed that a new corporation be cided at the Runoffs to purchase for formed expressly for that -purp<>ae. S60;000 all RJS custom tools; dies, jigs ·• It recommended Formula Fords be Accordingly, SCCA Bil.terprises Inc. and molds used In Sports Renault required on the tires on to race same has been established to acquire the · construction. These will be made which they qualify; $400,000 Sports Renault parts lnven· available to the new constructor, • It recommended a spec Induction tory from RJS and supply the needs although on exactly what basis system for Formula 440. The re­ of the Sports Renault Customer Ser· remains to be worked out. quired~ would be two 38 mm vice Representatives (CSRsJ. Zan In a letter to CSRs, the newly ap­ Mikuni carburetors with no Smith was appointed President of pointed SCCA Enterprises Inc. modifications permitted; SCCA Enterprises_ Inc. • President Smith indicated Sports Commenting on the BoD's actions, Renault parts will be warehoused in • It recommended front-wheel-drive GT2 cars·be allowed to convert to SCCA President Ni~olas W. Craw Denver, and that the company would stated, "The Board wants to be be ready to begin filling orders by rear-wheel drive, as is now legal in the Toms-Am; absolutely assured that Sports Jan. l. No parts shortages are Renault owners, potenj:ial buyers and anticipated. • It recommended that all GT2 cars, the CSRs are proteqted with the There has already been some _§ports Renault Including the former C Production lowest possible prices. SCCA prom- speculation that SCCA Enterprises cars, be prepared to GT specs; Bid Procedure • It recommended flat-bottom FA cars be allowed to compete in C SCCA will soon be accepting bids Sports Racing with the addition of the from thoae Interested in replacing required bcxiywork and a 36·mm in- · Renault Jeep Sport as the construc­ take . · · tor of the Sports Renault race car. The selected company will not Qnly build new Sports , it will also _ ~_..,. n.... ·-1.a. distribute service and replacement --~il/,m·_..::naun. parts. Bid packages, which will include a 1¥d~--Process complete set of engineering drawings ·Re-Opened and all other information necessary for developi!:Jg a bid, will be avallable before . Jan. 1. 'lb receive a bid ,. Spar1a ·llm4ult prices may hold the package, send $500 to R. David Jones. ?line in 1987'. Making a mow intended f Chairman of the Board, Sports Car to.promote the lowest possible costs I Club of America, 910 Houston St .. ·-c ·by shaxpening competition among ! Suite 700, Ft. Worth. TX 76102 ·· ,,c · firms _competing for the Sports Bids must be returned to SCCA by '\. Renault construction contract, the The Comp Board has recommendsd FC became a Fbnnu1a 20QO.onJ.y class in 1987. Feb. 1. CONTINUED °"' P"uE 12 l j - ·------·------