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Since this is the last issue of RSAE Newsletter, I thought that the front page should show
two photos of the sensational new RenaultSPORT Megane 250!!
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Something New, but unfortunately not for Australia – the cute and practical RENAULT Modus
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Another Aussie A110
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843 engine is from the R16 TX, it has a 385 model gearbox and the drive shafts are from a Peugeot 504.
The engine and gearbox were totally rebuilt by Colliers in Sydney and it was fortunate that they actually
still had a set of R16 TX 1647 cc pistons and liners in their loft.
The engine mounts and rear body mounts are quite different from earlier models. When I bought this
car I only had about 70% of it. Thank goodness for the web and for eBay! Next step is I would love to
find out more of the history of this car from its previous owners. It was registered 5027 GY 92, Isle de
France and was originally white in colour.
I have had wonderful support and encouragement from other A110 owners here in Australia and
overseas, and encouragement is most important as the restoration process can get you down form time
to time. Richard Mann and Colin Stark in Victoria, and in the UK Mike Horton have all been
inspirational to me, as were many others. To own an Alpine is obviously a passion, a club, a fraternity”.
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Eolia – Another Alpine competitor?
When in 1953 at the Paris Motor Show French industrialist Andre-Georges Claude was unable to find a
lightweight, high performance French car, he decided to build his own with the emphasis on quality,
comfort and safety. His Satecmo company, based in the French capital, already specialised in supplying
tuning equipment for the Renault 4CV. Claude, an enthusiastic driver who had competed in the Tour de
France, Alpine Rally and the Mont Ventoux Hillclimb, had also raced a Satecmo modified 4CV in the 1951
Le Mans 24 Hours. Modified versions of the latter's components were the obvious choice. For the chassis
he designed a box section unit incorporating the Renault's coil spring/swing axle suspension at the rear,
but with the addition of two diagonal radius arms, while at the front the 4CV's twin wishbones were
employed with an anti-roll bar; telescopic dampers were fitted all round.
Power came from a Renault Dauphine 845cc engine, mid-mounted, and modified by Alpine tuner Marc
Mignotet to produce 69bhp at 6,200rpm, which was mated to a Claude designed, non-synchromesh five
speed gearbox with 'reverse gate' change, a unit also built under licence and used by French specialist
sports car producer Alpine. Retardation was by twin circuit aluminium Monopole drum brakes.
Clothing all of this was a lightweight, aerodynamically efficient and magnesium alloy body with the A-posts
specifically positioned to create the minimum of blind spots and with two prominent and distinctive vertical
fins either side of the rear window, all of which had been successfully tested in Paris' famous Eiffel wind
tunnel. Underneath, the body was smooth-surfaced to further help airflow while the interior was
pressurised like that of an aircraft - the Plexiglass glass windows were permanently fixed closed - and
heated and ventilated by air fed though purpose-made ducting.
Although completed in 1954, it wasn't until October 1958 that this one and only Satecmo was finally
officially approved for the road. Given the model name Eolia, after Eolius, the god of the winds in classical
mythology, it was certainly no slouch and was capable of 104mph and with acceleration to match. But
although Claude had aspirations of putting the car into limited production for sale in America and also
courted Renault to produce the Eolia as a luxurious competition model, nothing came of either idea; nor
did his hopes of running the Satecmo at Le Mans. Claude's technically advanced car thus remained
forever a one-off and, having fitted specially-made ventilated front disc brakes in 1960, he eventually sold
the Satecmo to a young engineer seven years later. Little used by him, it remained in storage in south-
west France until it was discovered by the current owner in 2004 who, together with his son, finally
acquired the car in 2006.
This car was extensively featured in the April 2007 issue of Classic & Sports Car magazine. They found
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that the car was a highly distinctive and quintessentially French sports car, beautifully and professionally
built with extraordinary attention to detail and presented in excellent original condition. It was finished in
dark blue with blue interior and had just 14,000 kilometres on the odometer. Classic and Sports Car
magazine thought that the Eolia was an unique machine that would be eligible for, and no doubt most
welcome at, many European historic events.
……………………………………………………………...…
A group of Renaults wait for the start of the 2007 Forest Classic Rally
(John Elliott won his class in an Alpine GTA)
……………………………………………………………………………………
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RENAULT WIND - A COMPACT, INVENTIVE, FUN
TO DRIVE COUPE-ROADSTER
Renault Wind and its unique, electric, rotating-roof concept bring a breath of fresh
air to the world of open-top motoring.
“Renault Wind extends the brand’s range with a new model wholly dedicated to the
pleasure of its occupants inviting them to enjoy an alternative way of driving.
Through its concept and the technology it employs, Renault Wind is an ingenious
illustration of Renault’s new brand signature, ‘Drive the Change’”
Renault Wind targets customers looking for a compact everyday car and, as a two-
seat coupé-roadster with a length of 3.83 meters, it slots into the Renault range
between Twingo and Clio. Thanks to its ingenious, electrically-operated roof
system, which pivots open in just 12 seconds, Renault Wind boasts unprecedented
versatility: in the lowered position, the roof panel rests above the boot, meaning
that boot volume is always 270 dm3 VDA, whether the roof is up or down.
Renault Wind has head-turning looks. Its blue-tinged gaze, muscular profile and
rear-end forms, give it an emphatically modern profile. Unique styling details
include the roof-cover cowls, chrome exterior door mirror housings and badging on
the side which recalls the rotational movement of the roof-opening mechanism.
Meanwhile, there is an unmistakable ‘cockpit’ feel about the interior. The
instruments are reminiscent of the world of motorbikes, the sport seats feature
integrated head rests, while the low-set driving position and sporty layout of the
controls are typical of roadsters.
The expertise of Renault Sport Technologies (R.S.T) in the realm of motoring
enjoyment needs no introduction, and Renault Wind has benefited extensively from
the expertise of R.S.T’s engineers.
The new coupé-roadster is built on the same platform as Clio 2 R.S., and its chassis
is perfectly suited to the power outputs of the two engines that are available for the
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car, the TCe 100 and the 1.6 16V 133hp.
One of the chief accomplishments of R.S.T’s engineers is that they have achieved
the best weight to body-rigidity ratio for a coupé-roadster, allowing Renault Wind to
provide an outstanding ride plus very low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Renault Wind takes full advantage of Renault's expertise in the fields of active and
passive safety too, while the excellence of its chassis and its powerful brakes
ensure exceptionally reassuring handling.
Renault Wind will go on sale in July 2010 in the United Kingdom and Slovenia, and
from September in its other western European markets. It is not known whether
Renault Wind will make it to Australia.
2010 is the 30th anniversary of the release of the mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo!
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Thanks and Acknowledgement from Humble Scribe
This will be the last Newsletter before RSAE.
It is appropriate to confirm what should have been evident to all readers of RSAE Newsletters – Our
Newsletters did not seek to meet the standards of academic or literary publications. They were produced
solely to create interest in and provide information about RSAE. They were produced by volunteers and
created no income for RCCQ or for anybody else involved.
It is appropriate therefore, to acknowledge the great amount of help that I have received in preparation of
the RSAE Newsletters. Special thanks go to:
• Al Kelly, for contributing articles, editing, liaising with other contributors and providing
advice.
• Bob Gray for contributing many photos and much other interesting material
• Tim Moores of Club Alpine UK, for providing information about the Alpine/Renault
relationship
• Roy Smith of Club Alpine UK, for providing information about the Alpine/Renault
relationship. Roy Smith is author of a number of authoritative books about Alpine and Renault.
Details of these books can be found at: www.veloce.co.uk
• Many other members of RCCQ, who provided advice and help in various ways
Without the generous assistance of those people, the RSAE Newsletters would have been both
fewer and of a far lower standard.
Thanks also go to the many authors, publications and photographers whose work I ‘borrowed’. I
have tried to acknowledge the source of such material, but I know that in many of cases I have
slipped up. Sometimes it was because I had not recorded the source and such acknowledgement
was not possible. Unfortunately, in some cases, it was because of general slackness on my part!
To those authors and sources that missed out on their proper acknowledgement, please accept my
sincere apologies.
Phil Harrison
Humble Scribe
…………………………………………………………………...
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The Driving Centre at Norwell will be host to the RSAE Track Day on Monday 12 July
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 a senior
Driving Instructor from The Driving Centre.
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.
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IMPORTANT!
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. 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 with this
Newsletter. Fill it out now so 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. *1 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.
*1 – I have just arranged BY PHONE, for the CTP insurance extension for
my RS Clio and R19 at a cost of $10 each. This is easier and quicker than
writing a letter. Phone numbers are:
RACQ Insurance – 131905
Allianz Insurance – 1800 816868
Others – I suggest that you look for the number on your renewal notice or
in the telephone book.
Bonus!! - We can’t promise it yet, but if you come to Norwell, you might just
see a new unreleased RenaultSPORT model!
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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
are now staging an even larger event, the RSAE – 2010!
The Itinerary for RSAE 2010 is:
• 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 RCCA.
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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!!
We do however, hope for a R12 Gordini like the one pictured below!
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The photo above shows the ‘gasworks’ of a R12 Gordini!
Perhaps we’ll see a couple of R4s?
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…. or a Laguna 2 estate?
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
Questions?
Contact us at ‘enquiry@renaultclubqld.com.au’ or telephone Ian Both (07) 3279 0509 or
Phil Harrison (0419 885513).
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