I was looking for some race photos to put in the picture thread on www.forum-auto.com and there's been some really odd race cars, hasn't there? For example, Renault 11, anyone?
Not much information seems to be around about it, even in French, but as far as I can tell, they started off being rallyed in Group N showroom spec, more or less standard around 1984:
Before in 1985, Renault decided they weren't going to compete in Group B with the R5 Maxi Turbo anymore, and concentrated on Group A - although Renault management wanted to use the R5 or the R9 as a base, the chief engineer insisted the track and wheelbase were too small and that they should develop the 11. Out of that came a Group A kit with about 150bhp but only 886kg:
Renault Sport’s Group A engines are built by Sodemo in France using Mahle aluminium pistons, TRW valves, Reinz gaskets and finely balanced French-built standard Garrett T2 turbocharger. Minor modifications are made to lhe cylinder liners to improve the cooling because the head is not as efficient as the Group 8 one, but the only trick bits are in the "very special" electronic ignition...We stuck with the standard steel fuel tank and location because it’s the lightest solution, and provides a better centre of gravity position in the car. We have homologated an alternative tank in the luggage deck, and we might use that in Greece, but a disadvantage is that we’ve moved the spare wheel forward, and with the tank inside the car it’s not as easy to get at the spare.
(from homepage.virgin.net/shalco.com/renault11.htm )
Then, in 1987 following the banning of the Group B cars it got a power boost to 185bhp:
I might see if I can find out anything about the Talbot Tagora touring car in a bit, but who's got other obscure race or rally cars for me?
Not much information seems to be around about it, even in French, but as far as I can tell, they started off being rallyed in Group N showroom spec, more or less standard around 1984:
Before in 1985, Renault decided they weren't going to compete in Group B with the R5 Maxi Turbo anymore, and concentrated on Group A - although Renault management wanted to use the R5 or the R9 as a base, the chief engineer insisted the track and wheelbase were too small and that they should develop the 11. Out of that came a Group A kit with about 150bhp but only 886kg:
Renault Sport’s Group A engines are built by Sodemo in France using Mahle aluminium pistons, TRW valves, Reinz gaskets and finely balanced French-built standard Garrett T2 turbocharger. Minor modifications are made to lhe cylinder liners to improve the cooling because the head is not as efficient as the Group 8 one, but the only trick bits are in the "very special" electronic ignition...We stuck with the standard steel fuel tank and location because it’s the lightest solution, and provides a better centre of gravity position in the car. We have homologated an alternative tank in the luggage deck, and we might use that in Greece, but a disadvantage is that we’ve moved the spare wheel forward, and with the tank inside the car it’s not as easy to get at the spare.
(from homepage.virgin.net/shalco.com/renault11.htm )
Then, in 1987 following the banning of the Group B cars it got a power boost to 185bhp:
I might see if I can find out anything about the Talbot Tagora touring car in a bit, but who's got other obscure race or rally cars for me?
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