Newsletter # 13 23 June 2010

RENAULT Sport & A lpine EXPO

Brisbane – 9 July to 18 July 2010
What’s it all about? If you missed the earlier RSAE Newsletters and are wondering what
the RSAE is all about, please read pages 10 – 13.
Something Old - RENAULT 40CV Type NM Record Breaker

Something Old, but very special – the Laurie East restored RENAULT Fregate Gran Pavois
RENAULT 40CV Type NM Record Breaker
The Montlhéry racetrack (France) opened on 12 October 1924. It was soon to host several world records,
including the 24-hour record. Fierce competition for the title developed between the marques, including
RENAULT. The RENAULT 40 CV Type ML set a new record in June 1925, with an average speed of
141.031 km/h. A Bentley bettered that performance in September, with a speed of 152.930 km/h.
RENAULT prepared to retaliate. It began test-driving a new 40 CV Type NM. The series sport chassis was
fitted with special bodywork: a streamlined single-seater in canvas-mounted imitation leather stretched over
a timber frame. A sheet-metal bonnet broke with RENAULT tradition of the time.
Only with permission from Louis Renault, could the air inlet be shifted from the side to the front, but the
radiator remained behind the engine.
At two test drives in February and March 1926, the model broke the 100-km, 500-km and 3-hour records.
The 40 CV returned to the racetrack on 9 July 1926, with J.A. Garfiels, Robert Plessier and Paul Guillon
alternating in the driver's seat. On 10 July 1926, it smashed the 24-hour record, by clocking up
4,167.578 km at an average speed of 173.649 km/h. On its way, the 40 CV picked up the 500-km, 1,000-
km, 2,000-km, 3,000-km, 4,000-km, 2,000-mile, 6-hour and 12-hour records!
The refueling stops were every bit as good as last year’s Formula One Grand Prix events - 14 technicians
went into action: two for each wheel, three for the fuel, one for the water, one for the oil and one
coordinator. The stops never lasted more than 50 seconds: an amazing time, given that the 110-litre fuel
tank had to be filled using a hand pump.
Data sheet
Name: Renault 40 CV, Type NM - 1926
Engine: Six-cylinder in-line, 9121cc (110 x 160 mm), 142 BHP at 1,680 RPM
Gearbox: Mechanical, with three forward gears and reverse
Coachwork: Single-seater saloon with Weymann body: canvas-mounted imitation leather stretched over a
timber frame
Dimensions: Length: 5.34 m - Width: 1.77 m - Height 1.66 m - Wheelbase 3.80 m - Front and rear track
1.44 m - Windshield height 13 cm
Weight: Nearly two tonne
Top speed: 200 kph.

Now, the answer to the question in Newsletter #12: Who was Louise Berthe Magien?
Louise Berthe Magien was the maiden name of Louis Renault’s mother! She was a Parisian and a devout
member of Tiers Ordre (Order of Lay Sisters). She was an annual pilgrim to Lourdes. She gave birth to
Louis Renault on 15 February 1877. In 1911, immediately after a visit to the shrine in Lourdes, she died.
Because of her devotion to Tiers Ordre, she was displayed in her coffin dressed as a nun.
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Parking inspector fines motorist
despite car having no wheels
An Adelaide City Council parking inspector
issues a fine for a car parked on bricks after its
wheels were stolen over the long weekend.
Source: AdelaideNow
MATTHEW Goodlet's car is missing all
four of its wheels courtesy of a late-night
thief, but that didn't stop a parking
inspector from repeatedly fining him
yesterday for failing to move his immobile
Renault.
Mr Goodlet, a chef who lives in an inner-city
apartment, woke on Sunday to find thieves had stolen the $2000 set of wheels from his car. He told police
of the theft and ordered a new set as soon as businesses re-opened after the long weekend. Mr Goodlet then
placed signs on his car with the words "police aware" so passer by would know the situation.
But yesterday, while waiting for the new set of wheels to arrive, Mr Goodlet came home from work to find
a parking inspector had put a fine on the immobile Renault. And two hours later, an inspector returned to
fine Mr Goodlet again. "I went over to explain myself to him but I was told they'll tow my car tomorrow if
it hasn't been moved," he said. "They were supposed to be delivering the wheels first thing in the morning
but I had to pay another $200 to rush the order.”I'll be sending the bill for that to Adelaide City Council, I
think."
Shocked workers from nearby businesses yesterday contacted The Advertiser to express their disgust
that Mr Goodlet could be fined for not moving a car with no wheels. "A bunch of us who work on or near
the road just witnessed a parking inspector giving this car a ticket for parking too long in the zone," a
woman said. "It's not as if they can move it the car has no wheels!"
Mr Goodlet said it had been a frustrating experience. "I don't think they help their own case when people
complain about revenue raising," he said. "They could have just contacted me to ask what the deal was.
"But it's easier for them to keep putting multiple fines on the car, it's easier for them to kick me when I'm
down." Adelaide City Council did not respond.
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Kubica sets lap record at Canada GP
14.06.2010 10:10
F1 racing driver Robert Kubica managed to set a new lap
record at the Grand Prix circuit in Montreal, Sunday.
Renault’s Kubica beat the record on the 67th lap at Sunday’s Grand
Prix in Montreal, Canada, with a time of 1:16.972, averaging a
speed of 203.965 km/h. Even though it is the first lap record in
Kubica’s career, the Polish driver was ambivalent about his success.
“I’m happy, although it’s a shame you don’t get points for
[breaking the record],” he told the Przeglad Sportowy daily, adding
that “I don’t really care that much about breaking this record.”
Robert Kubica also commented on the situation he was left in after veteran racer Micheal Schumacher left
the pitlane right in front of the Polish driver, causing bitter rivalry between them.
“It was a tough moment. Our cars touched twice,” Kubica explained, saying that “first, when he
[Schumacher] left the pitlane, he didn’t notice that we were racing side by side, and he pushed me into the
grass.”
“Afterwards none of us wanted to give up our positions and we both passed a breaking point and ended up
flying off the circuit,” described Kubica.
Kubica, who races for Renault, came in 7th at the Canada Grand Prix. He stands 7th overall in the drivers’
championship classification, with 73 points and two podium finishes so far this season.
The next race is the European Grand Prix at Valencia, Spain, on June 27. (jb)
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The MATRA Djet V

Your Humble Scribe knows a difficult situation when he sees it and this article is one of them! How do I
describe the MATRA Djet honestly without reflecting unfavourably on the revered Alpine A110?
A brief comparison reveals that both cars are very ‘pretty’! Both use a tubular backbone chassis, light
fibreglass body, and RENAULT mechanicals. Both go and handle extremely well. But only the MATRA Djet
has a mid-mounted engine in front of the rear wheels, together with twin wishbone rear suspension. It has
near even weight distribution and good suspension geometry - no swing axles and overhung engine for the
Matra Jet 5. On the face of it, this Alpine clone is more advanced and more desirable that the car that it
copies.!
In 1966, Sports Cars Specials No. 7 (published by Sports Car World) tested a base 1,108cc, 70 bhp model
imported by Peter Geluk of Eastman Kodak. They were thoroughly charmed by it! ‘…. The car is pure
delight to drive, is light and effortless to handle, quite accelerative and always inviting. It is certainly a car
for the enthusiast with pure motoring in mind’
In casting around for reasons why the Alpine A110 is now revered and put up on a pedestal rather than the
MATRA Djet, we need to look at the parentage of the two cars. MATRA is an aerospace company that
acquired the small scale car maker, Bonnet. MATRA had the engineering expertise and Bonnet had the
tuning skill. The Djet 5 was a superior design, but it was not raced and continually developed with the
same passion as Alpine devoted to the A110.
Yes, they are both great cars. Yes, the MATRA Djet 5 did start out with a superior design. However, it was
the development led by racing, rallying and the passion of Alpine which made the difference in the end.
The following pages show a MATRA Djet V brochure:
Bruce Collier – Official RSAE Guest Speaker
I think that everyone at RSAE will know something about Bruce Collier. Some of you may be foolish
enough to think that you know a lot about Bruce! Well. I’ve got news for you:
Ya ain’t heard nuthin yet!
Bruce will participate in a ‘Question and Answer session’ at the RSAE Dinner on Saturday night, and
after that, you’ll know a bit more. However, in the meantime, here are a few snippets of information
about Mr Magic Spanner, Bruce Collier:
In his book ‘In Control’, Bob Watson says of Bruce Collier:
A large part of Renault’s brilliance in the Australian Rally Championship in 1970 was the car
preparation by Sydney Renault guru Bruce Collier. I am sure Bruce, like his Victorian counterpart Enzo
Dotti – both brilliant mechanics – both had Renault gearbox oil running in his veins. Collier was given
free rein, and implemented a well planned program of component replacement to be sure no part was
ever beyond its use by date. He also applied knowledge gained by campaigning R8 Gordinis for
several years prior. ……….. The cars ran faultlessly and we had a dream run. Bruce Collier got great
satisfaction from sticking it up ‘the wizard’ Harry Firth, as our 1.3 litre cars left Harry’s 3.3 litre Torana
XU1s and 5.7 litre Monaros scrambling behind.
Bob Watson has lots more to say about Bruce Collier, all of it good!
A small sample of Bruce’s rally experiences is given below:
THE SIXTIES ERA - 1960 to 1969
1968 Rothmans Snowy Rally – Round of ARC
Pos Driver State Navigator State Make/Model Points
1 Barry Ferguson NSW Dave Johnson NSW Volkswagen 85
2 Greg Garard ACT Nigel Collier NSW Holden 186S 95
3 John Garard ACT Brian Waldron NSW Holden 186S 99
4 Bruce Collier NSW Steve Halloran NSW Renault R8 Gordini 102
5 Colin Bond NSW Brian Hope NSW Mitsubishi Colt Fastback 120
6 Bob Watson VIC Jim McAuliffe VIC Holden Kingswood HK 122

1969 Rothmans Snowy Rally – Round of ARC

Pos Driver State Navigator State Make/Model Points
1 Evan Green NSW Roy Denny NSW Austin 1800 153
=2 John Keran NSW Peter Meyer NSW Volvo 142S 173
=2 Colin Bond NSW Brian Hope NSW Mitsubishi Colt SS 173
4 Ian Vaughan VIC Bob Forsyth VIC Ford Cortina-Lotus 180
5 Bruce Collier NSW Steve Halloran NSW Renault Gordini 243

1970 Cibie Snowy Rally – Round of ARC

Pos Driver State Navigator State Make/Model Points
1 Bob Watson VIC Jim McAuliffe VIC Renault Gordini 16
2 Colin Bond NSW Brian Hope NSW Holden Monaro 350 17
3 Max Winkless NSW Peter Meyer NSW Volvo 142S 21
4 Bruce Collier NSW Peter Haas VIC Renault Gordini 31
5 Peter Houghton NSW Mick Nielson NSW Peugeot 404 36
6 Mal McPherson VIC Roger Bonhomme VIC Renault Gordini 38

This event ventured into the Snowy Mountains (from whence it received its name), and was
organised by Australian Sporting Car Club committee men Allan Lawson and Dr David White.
The Holden Dealer Team (HDT) suffered a severe setback when the Barry Ferguson/Dave
Johnson Torana GTR blew a head gasket before the start, and on the first competitive stage Tony
Roberts/Mike Osborne rolled the second GTR. This left the team’s hope of victory in the hands of Colin
Bond/Brian hope, driving a Monaro.
The early leader was Max Winkless/Peter Meyer driving a Volvo 142S, with Bob Watson/Jim
McAuliffe (Renault Gordini) and Bond chasing them. At the end of the first night it was Winkless
to Bond to Watson.
All through the second night Bond and Watson desperately tried to peg back Winkless which,
little by little, they did until the last competitive stage, by which time Watson had taken the
lead, followed by Bond and Winkless on equal time. The Volvo then has electrical problems and
so in the end Watson won comfortably, followed by Bond, with Winkless limping into third place.
The 1970 championship was dominated by Bob Watson/Jim McAuliffe in a Renault Gordini.
The pair convincingly won four out of the five rounds, and was second in the other!!

You’ll hear more about this and Bruce’s many other accomplishments at the RSAE dinner!
 The Driving Centre at Norwell will be host to the RSAE Track Day on Monday 12 July

The program for the day is:

8.00am - Arrive at Norwell, sign on and enjoy a cup of complimentary tea or coffee.

8.30am - Welcome by Renault Marketing Director, Sylvain Martin-Villa and others, plus briefing by Chief
Driving Instructor, Peter Bisley

9.00am - Form into groups to rotate at 45 min intervals around the following activities:

• Circuit training, with each group in a new Renault. Initially a Norwell Expert Instructor will
demonstrate safe and effective techniques applicable to both circuit and road driving. Each
member of the group will have the opportunity to drive around the circuit in a new Renault.

• ABS Brake and Steer, with each group again in new Renaults. Here you will learn the feel of ABS
in action and how to best use it to avoid accidents, both on the road and track. Each person will
have the opportunity to take the wheel of a new Renault for this segment!

• Skid Pan Competition: A circuit will be set out on the skidpan. Each participant will have the
chance to compete over three timed laps, driving a new RenaultSport Clio (probably). There will be
penalties levied for hitting the witch’s hats, but otherwise, the fastest time wins!!

• Small Track Exercise: Each participant will drive a new RenaultSport Clio (probably) for a timed
run around this tight track. That sounds easy? Well there are a couple of challenges – firstly, the
track is tighter than many go-kart tracks, and secondly, the Clio will have a wok mounted on the
bonnet, with a tennis ball inside. If the tennis ball comes out of the wok, you have to stop and put it
back in, all while the clock is still running! Smooth driving will win here!

• V8 Supercar Workshop Tour: The Norwell complex is used as a base by Paul Morris. The tour
will allow you to see what goes on in the building and race preparation of a V8 Supercar.

12.45pm - Lunch and presentation by Sylvain Martin-Villa and others. (We are still finalizing arrangements
for lunch, but we expect to be able to provide you with a good lunch at a moderate price)

1.45pm – Sprint and Regularity Session. Here you will have the opportunity to drive your car around the
circuit for either timed Sprint or Regularity Runs. There will be no racing as such, except against the clock
if you wish. If you don’t want to go fast, you can still participate in the Regularity Runs at your own pace.

4.30 – 5.00pm – Wrap up and Departure.

…………………………………………………………………

IMPORTANT! - STOP PRESS!

The track day will now be run under an AUSTRALIAN AUTO-SPORT
ALLIANCE INC. (AASA) permit. This introduces the following new
requirements:
• All participants will be required to sign an Indemnity Form.
• Every driver participating in the afternoon session on the track must
have a current AASA Clubman Driver’s Licence. If you already have one,
please bring it with you on the day. If not, we can sell you a licence on
behalf of AASA, for a cost of $20 for the day, or $55 for a whole year. A
blank AASA ‘Application for Competition Licence’ form is provided lwith
this Newsletter. Just print it and fill it out now so that you don’t have to
do it on the day.
• Helmets must be worn by drivers during the afternoon track session. We
can provide a number of ‘loan helmets’ at no cost, so there is no need to
bring your own!
• Driver’s arms and legs must be covered by clothing and closed shoes
must be worn during the afternoon track session.
• All vehicles for the afternoon session must undergo scrutineering to
ensure that they are in ‘track-worthy’ condition. A self-scrutineering
form will be provided for new condition vehicles, but all vehicles may
still be subject to inspection.
• All Queensland Registered vehicles must bring documentary evidence
of a Compulsory Third Party Insurance Extension specifically to cover
this event. Your insurer should provide this at no/nominal cost, but you
MUST arrange that before you come to the track. This requirement does
not apply to other vehicles.
• For insurance reasons, a special area will be set aside as a pit area for
unregistered vehicles. Those vehicles must be unloaded and reloaded in
this area and must not leave the area except to visit the track proper.
• Noise restrictions apply. If neighbours at Norwell complain about the
noise, we have to stop running, so it is better to be quiet and not
generate the complaint in the first place.

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Our thanks go to Renault Australia for their generous sponsorship of this

event, and to Jamie Cartwright of Cartwright Motor Group, Southport, for the
provision of the new Renaults and other sponsorship of RSAE 2010.

Bonus!! - We can’t promise it yet, but if you come to Norwell, you might just
see a new unreleased RenaultSPORT model!
What is RSAE 2010 all about!
In June 2004, six members of the Renault Car Club of Queensland (RCCQ) attended the
Alpine Recorde du Monde at Zolder racing circuit in Belgium. That event involved 667
RenaultSport, Gordinis, Alpines etc, from 52 car clubs and 16 different countries!
With the Alpine Recorde du Monde as inspiration, the RCCQ held the very successful
Renault Sport & Alpine Expo – 2005! We now plan an even larger event, the RSAE – 2010!
The Planned Itinerary for RSAE 2010 is:

• Friday 9 July – Welcome Function 7.00 – 9.00 pm.

Your Registration Pack will include:
In this registration package you will find:-

Lanyard and name badge for each registrant.

Please wear your lanyard and name badge (including all entry and welcome drinks tickets) at all times
during the Expo.

Function tickets.
Included in the lanyard are:-
Two tickets for each registrant for a welcome glass of wine, soft drink or a beer at the
Friday night Welcome.
If prepaid one ticket per registrant for attendance at the day run luncheon.
One ticket for each registrant for a welcome glass of wine, soft drink or a beer at the Saturday Night
Gala Dinner.
One ticket for attendance and welcome glass of wine, soft drink or a beer for each EXTRA person
registered to attend the Gala Dinner on Saturday night.
A RSAE 2010 sticker which entitles the registrant’s car entry to the Grand Display of French Cars
One ticket for each registrant to attend the Pizza/Wine farewell on Sunday afternoon/evening.
.
Other inclusions are:-
Registration receipt
If ordered, one Polo shirt
Programme detailing events, time, date and location
Route instructions for day Saturday
Auction catalogue
Layout for photo shoot on Saturday morning
Voting paper for entrant’s choice for most popular car at Expo
Renault Pen
Renault desk memo holder
Other goodies

It is important you check the contents to be satisfied that they are correct.

If there are any issues or problems please raise them with the Registration Desk and we will try to solve
them as quickly as possible.

The Committee wishes you all the best as you attend the RSAE 2010. We are sure you will have an
enjoyable and rewarding weekend as you experience the fellowship, interesting speaker and wonderful
hospitality of the RCCQ, Brisbane.

For registrants who are travelling to Sydney on Tuesday there will be a briefing and distribution of road
maps at the Sunday farewell.
 • Saturday 10 July – Scenic Drive on
some picturesque and challenging SE
Qld roads with an official assembly
photo shoot and lunch at beautiful
Binna Burra Mountain Lodge in the
Mount Lamington National Park. The
photo to the right shows Roisin’s
Lookout where we car stop to admire
the view.

• Saturday 10 July Evening – Gala

Dinner 7 pm Robertson Gardens -
includes a Q & A Session with Bruce
Collier, and a Renault memorabilia auction.

• Sunday 11 July – A Grand Display of French Cars starting at 9:30 am at Brookfield

Pony Club Showgrounds, followed by a casual dinner for RSAE participants.

Optional additional events are:

• Monday 12 July – Track Day at ‘The Driving Centre’ at Norwell.

The following activities will be available before lunch:

* Safety Training on Skid-pan
* Circuit training lead by experienced racing drivers
* ABS braking training
* Short circuit novelty event
* Tour of V8 Supercar workshop
In the afternoon, this will be followed by the opportunity to drive your car on this
interesting 2 km circuit for timed or regularity laps – What a day!!

Thanks to generous sponsorship from RENAULT AUSTRALIA, the cost for the whole day
is only $50* per person. Thanks also to Jamie Cartwright of Cartwright Motor Group for
the provision of cars and other sponsorship.
*Does not include lunch * Cost for first 50 registrants only. Late registrations may attract a late fee!
* Due to the requirements of AASA, all track participants will need to
purchase through us, an AASA licence at a cost of $20 for the day, or $55
for a whole year.

To put the cost of the day into perspective, the cost of our morning’s
activities at Norwell would normally be $199 per person. You pay one
quarter that price and get the Sprint and Regularity Session as a bonus!!

• Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 July – Transit to Sydney along some interesting back roads.

• Friday 16 July – Dinner with our colleagues from Renault Car Club of Australia
(RCCA).

• Saturday 17 July – Day run in the Sydney environs followed by dinner, again kindly
organized by our colleagues from the RCCA.

• Sunday 18 July – Participation in the Sydney All French Car Day.

You don’t have to have the latest RenaultSPORT to participate in RSAE 2010 - ANY Renault
will do, or just an interest in Renault. Everybody is welcome!!

However, we do NOT expect any of the R26 F1 racers to make it along to RSAE 2010,
although they would be very welcome!
We do, however, expect a few RenaultSport Megane R26 like the one pictured above!

Interested?
RSAE is only two weeks away, so PLEASE REGISTER STRAIGHT AWAY.
Please complete a Registration Form and send it to us as soon as possible. If you are
interested in RSAE 2010 and want more information, please get in touch.
Also, determine your work/holiday plans & make your accommodation bookings early.
It may help to keep an eye on the various forums, including:

http://rsae2010.blogspot.com/
http://renaultinaus.17.forumer.com/

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1864981&da=y

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/1936651/rsae-2010-flyer-3-pdf-may-28-2010-8-04-pm-182k?da=y

To provide everyone with regular updates and Newsletters on RSAE

2010, we need your name and email address!!
Questions?
Contact us at ‘enquiry@renaultclubqld.com.au’ or telephone Ian Both (07) 3279 0509 or
Phil Harrison (0419 885513).

RSAE 2010 - the best RENAULT event in

Australia …………ever.