AFTER 40 YEARS away from the sport, a unique trophy presentation at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway has signified a more prominent return to Motorsport in Australia for the iconic Renault brand, with the official launch today of Sydney-based R-Sport.

R-Sport will prepare vehicles for competition in the Australian Manufacturers Championship, starting this weekend in Sydney with the inaugural Dial before You Dig Australian six-hour endurance race.

The 1970 Australian Rally Championship Manufacturers-winning trophy was only recently recovered and was today publically presented to Renault Australia Managing Director Rudi Koenig by the man who won it, Australian Motorsport icon Bob Watson.

Watson won the ARC drivers title - and Renault the overall Manufacturers crown - driving a Renault R8 Gordini. He also won the Victorian championship representing the Renault brand and continues to act as a consultant to R-Sport to this day.

The trophy handover signified the long and successful traditions of Renault in Australian Motorsport and linked the 1970 title with the pair of sleek Renaultsport Clios entered this weekend by R-Sport.  

R-Sport has entered a Renaultsport Clio 197 with Ian Thorp, Aaron Thorp and Ray Currie to share the driving duties. A second car will also be run from the same garage and will be driven by Safe-T-Stop sponsored drivers Richard Gartner, Francois Jouy and Carl Schembri.

Gartner has already tasted some success in his Safe-T-Stop sponsored car this year, showing the potential of his bright yellow Clio 197 against competitive fields at the ArmorAll Bathurst 12 Hour race, and in successive Australian Manufacturers Championship rounds.

R-Sport will build and prepare customer vehicles that will be available for sale, lease or purchase for competitors keen to experience the Renaultsport brand. Bob Watson will serve in a mentor and advisory capacity to R-Sport to help guide their racing programme and on-track performance.

R-Sport’s participation in the Dial Before You Dig Australian Six Hour at Eastern Creek Raceway kicks off tomorrow with qualifying, before the race begins at 10:30am (AEST) on Sunday July 18.

R-Sport will launch a website soon at www.r-sport.com.au

QUOTES:

Rudi Koenig, Renault Australia Managing Director.

“Renault has a long and successful history in Motorsport around the world, especially in Europe where the brand can be seen in the pinnacle of the sport, Formula 1, right through to enthusiasts competing at track days each weekend.

“This has encouraged the development of the Renaultsport product range which is suited to this very practice.

“In Australia we also have an excellent history in the sport. The introduction of the Renaultsport range, including the Clio 200 and the forthcoming Renaultsport Megane 250 only help build this tradition and offer great products that are designed for driving enthusiasts.

“Bob Watson is an icon of Motorsport and his contribution to the sport and the Renault brand in Australia should not be underestimated. He has been a fantastic ambassador for Renault for a long time and it was a wonderful gesture for him to present the 1970 Australian Rally Championship Manufacturers trophy to the Renault Australia board.”

Ian Thorp, R-Sport.

“We’re very excited to unveil the first part of our plans to become more involved with Australian Motorsport.

“The R-Sport brand is proud to be representing Renault and we’re excited about the potential long-term relationship we are developing with the brand. Production Car racing is the ideal format in which to showcase both our product as a team and vehicle preparation business, and the manufacturers products.

“We are going to work hard to build the profile of the sport via our participation and grow both our brand and those of our partners as best as possible. Via our participation directly and the process of building new cars for sale or lease we will hopefully grow the participation of Renault vehicles in Australian Motorsport.  

“The six-hour race is a massive leap for us and a big stage for us to make our debut however we’ve been buoyed by the performances Richard Gartner has already posted in his Clio this year. We want a steady debut this weekend, learn as much as we can from the car and build from here.”

Bob Watson, 1970 Australian Rally Champion.

“It’s great to see Renault back on the track in Australia.

“The 1970 Australian Rally Championship was the highlight of my career. We turned up in a 1.3 litre Renault R8 Gordini against the Harry Firth and his Holden Dealer team and we thrashed them! We won a lot of rallies, and won the drivers and manufacturers titles. It was a special time, so to hand over the 1970 trophy to Rudi today is fantastic and it’s a great link between then and now.

“The 1970s were a great time for Renault both on and off the track. It’s a lot different today but events like these give people the opportunity to get right up close and personal with the cars and the drivers which is a great thing.”