ONE OF THE BEST-LIKED 'BAD BOYS' IN BRITISH MOTORSPORT!

'Mr Big Healey' – The Official Biography of John Chatham
By Norman Burr.

John Chatham, driver, racer, repairer, rebuilder, tuner, trader and lover of Austin-Healeys, was in the words of Geoffrey Healey “uncontrollable” in his youth, and has only mildly mellowed with age. Burly and genial but formidably competitive, and not above bending the rules when he thought he could get away with it, to many he is the archetypal club racer. John is so synonymous with Austin-Healeys that the most famous racing Healey in the world, DD300, is so well-known mainly because John campaigned it for decades, notching up tens of thousands of racing miles. But his career embraces far more than one car, and until this biography no-one had attempted to fill in the gaps.
The book is not a dry description of one club race after another. It does include a list of John’s principal sporting achievements, but no complete record exists of the hundreds of events which made up his competitive career, so the writer has not attempted to compile one. Instead Norman Burr, who was himself acquainted with John in his youth, has created a more rounded and personal account, full of motoring and sporting anecdotes, but also telling the story of John’s family, his work, his business, his three wives and his lovers. John has a comprehensive photo library from which the book is generously illustrated, with cartoons added to illustrate some of the moments that a camera was not around to record. Thoroughly politically incorrect even by the standards of the 1960s, it’s an account which will strike a chord not only with admirers of Big Healeys, but also with anyone who believes that independent thinking, and the courage to apply and enjoy it, is the greatest virtue of all. With 150 photographs, many previously unpublished, this , which is available now from bookshops or www.velocebooks.com, is an important and entertaining account of one of motorsport’s biggest characters.

SIGNED COPIES
Motorsport fans will be delighted to hear that John Chatham and author, Norman Burr, will be signing copies of this brand new biography at MG Live! 2010 on both Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of June at Silverstone.

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS
"This is an engaging story, well told, and decent value too." – Octane
"Like its subject, it never comes off the gas." – Classic & Sports Car

Click here for more info about the book.

THE BRITISH AT INDIANAPOLIS

It was an eventful weekend for the Brits at the 2010 Indianapolis 500. With four British drivers finishing in the top seven of the final standings, including winner for the second time, Dario Franchitti.

Dario Franchitti now becomes the 17th driver to win Indy 500 more than once, with his second official win, the first coming in 2007. Dario hails from Bathgate, West Lothian Scotland but currently resides in Tennessee. Second place was taken by Dan Wheldon, followed in third by Alex Lloyd.



We're delighted to announce that Dario has written the foreword for forthcoming Veloce book The British at Indianapolis by Ian Wagstaff.

A history of the British influence on the Indianapolis 500, including not only the drivers and cars, but the many others – mechanics, designers, and officials – who have been involved. The story is set out in a series of stand-alone chapters, with a wide variety of informative sidebars, and goes back 100 years to the early days of the race, through the British-led, rear-engined revolution of the 1960s to the present day. More info.

The fantastic achievement of British drivers at this year's Indy 500 was somewhat overshadowed in the media by Mike Conway's spectacular crash. All at Veloce wish Mike a speedy recovery.

GOODWOOD CONFIRMS OVER 20 WORLD CHAMPIONS AND 80 DRIVERS AND RIDERS APPEARING AT THE 2010 FESTIVAL OF SPEED

With just over six weeks still to go until the 2010 Festival of Speed blasts into life (2-4 July), Goodwood can already confirm more than 80 star drivers and riders will be present at the world’s largest celebration of motoring culture, including over 20 World Champions who between them have collected more than 70 championship titles.

Reigning Formula One World Champion Jenson Button will be in action up the famous Goodwood hillclimb, as will his McLaren team mate and 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Joining the McLaren drivers will be fellow 2010 season F1 competitors Mark Webber behind the wheel of his Red Bull, Nico Rosberg in action in his Mercedes, and Bruno Senna, driving his uncle Ayrton’s iconic McLaren MP4/8.

Past F1 champions and Grand Prix winners present at the Festival of Speed are set to include Emerson Fittipaldi, Sir Jackie Stewart, Mika Hakkinen, John Surtees, Sir Stirling Moss, Jochen Mass and Patrick Tambay. Joining these confirmed drivers at Goodwood will be a roll-call of other motor sport stars that reads like a who’s who of motor racing.


From the world of rallying, Festival first-timer Miki Biasion will be reunited with a Lancia Delta; American ‘Gymkhana’ video and current WRC star Ken Block will be going wild in his Ford: 2009 IRS Champion Kris Meeke will be going sideways in his Peugeot; as will IRC rival Guy Wilks in his Skoda. Many other rallying greats will be reacquainted with the cars that made them famous, including Messrs Rauno Aaltonen, Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes, Björn Waldegård and Markko Martin.

Motorcycling heroes will include Giacomo Agostini, Kevin Schwantz, Chaz Davies, Neil Hodgson and Trevor Nation, plus many others, including 12-time Trials Champion and Goodwood legend Dougie Lampkin. Motor racing legends from across the Pond will include double Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR stalwart Michael Waltrip and three-time Indy 500 victor Bobby Unser.

Press release/image source: Goodwood Motor Circuit

REVIEW OF ALPINE & RENAULT 2 VOLUME SET

Thanks to Classic Cars magazine for this review of Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 1: 1963-1969 & Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 2: 1973-1978.

THE TOLEMAN STORY – DELIVERED TO BRUNO SENNA

We're very excited to learn that Ted Toleman has personally delivered a copy of The Toleman Story – Last Romantics in Formula 1 to Ayrton Senna's nephew, Hispania F1 Racing driver Bruno Senna, at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

With Toleman offering the great Ayrton Senna his Formula 1 debut drive in the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix – where he finished an amazing 2nd - it was fitting that his nephew Bruno be presented a copy of this fantastic read by Toleman himself – who is present this week to run his single-make MINI Challenge series.

Bruno Senna showed much gratitude that Toleman took the time to personally deliver this piece of history to him and was delighted by the prospect of the read and perhaps discovering some new tales of his uncle in Formula 1.

The HRT F1 driver is currently at point in his career where is late Uncle was when Toleman brought him into the sport. It was clear today the presentation of the book was an emotional moment and one he will take with him through his racing career.

Source and photograph: MINI Challenge

PEUGEOT UK'S KRIS MEEKE & PAUL NAGLE READY IN ARGENTINA FOR THE THIRD ROUND OF THE 2010 IRC

Peugeot UK's IRC Champions Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle are in Argentina, ready for the start of Round three of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge on Friday.

After their magnificent win in Brazil, Kris and Paul will start Friday night's opening Super Special stage as favourites in their Peugeot 207 S2000 but they are realistic about their chances. It's their first Rally Argentina, and they'll face tough competition not only from the regular IRC runners but also a number of very fast local drivers. Kris, though, is unfazed by the threat:

"I don't tend to think about it too much. All I can do is believe in my own ability, go out and do my maximum - my safe maximum - on the first 3 stages - safe side of flat out - see what happens, and take it from there."

Rally Argentina is one of the great rallies of the world: this year it consists of 15 stages covering 240.02 km. Fans travel from all over South America to watch the action.

After Friday's Super Special through the streets of Carlos Paz, about an hour's drive from Cordoba, Saturday has a total of seven stages and Sunday a further seven before the final Super Special stage which will see two drivers go head-to-head against the clock.

Kris and Paul will face tough competition in Brazil from local hero and eight times Argentinean Rally Champion Federico Villagra, and Nasser Al-Attiya who finished second in this year's Dakar Rally. Two other Peugeot 207 S2000s are also entered into the rally driven by Bruno Magalhaes and Daniel Oliveira.

Follow the day to day progress of Peugeot UK and Kris Meeke in this year's Rally Argentina via the team's Twitter link www.twitter.com/Peugeotrally video podcasts and web-based Rally Radio hosted on thePeugeot.co.uk web site and all main rally web sites and for, iPhone users, the Peugeot co-sponsored iRally App.
Source: Peugeot.co.uk



Coming soon from Veloce Publishing! Kris Meeke Intercontinental Rally Challenge Champion
By Simon McBride.

The story of how Kris Meeke and Peugeot UK won the Intercontinental Rally Championship in their rookie year, from the disastrous opening round in Monte Carlo, to the ecstasy of winning the San Remo rally and the Championship in the same weekend. This is the gripping tale of how Kris and Peugeot defied expectations and made their mark on this highly competitive championship. There are those who felt that Kris was quick but lacked the consistency to succeed at the highest level – but the man from Dungannon proved them wrong in the style of his mentor and rally legend, Colin McRae.
The best of Kris is still to come ...
More info.

MOTOR RACING CIRCUITS – WORLDWIDE GUIDE

Circuits Edition 1 - the illustrated guide to the world's greatest motor racing circuits will be on sale from 22nd March at more than 550 WH Smith high street bookstores across the UK, as well as WH Smith Travel bookstores in stations and airports.
Discovery Media Group announces the launch of their superb new publication for motorsport fans - Circuits 2010: the illustrated guide to the world's greatest motor racing circuits.
This highly produced 196-page publication explores in detail 50 of the world's greatest motor racing circuits with beautiful hand-drawn illustrations by Motorsport Artist, Brian Casey. Each illustration took more than a week to create from reference material.
Each circuit is described in detail, explaining the tracks rise to glory alongside detailed facts and figures about each venue. Additional comment is provided by the stars who have driven the circuits and the people who run the circuits.
Joe Saward, internationally recognised motorsports writer, and circuit designer Jarno Zaffelli have contributed their thoughts on what makes a great circuit, while John Hindhaugh, the voice of Radio Le Mans, gives us his impression of the great 24-hour race. Dr Bruce Grant-Braham gives an insight into the links between motorsport and tourism, and editor of the fine Cars for the Connoisseur magazine Charles Harbord tapped into his readers memories and contributed some fascinating stories of circuits from the past.
With a foreword by WTCC champion Andy Priaulx, this is the ultimate collector's guide to the best-loved tracks in the world.
More info visit: http://www.motorsportcircuitguide.com/

HOW MATRA CAME FROM NOWHERE TO LEAD THE WORLD!

Matra sports cars– MS620, 630, 650, 660 & 670 – 1966 to 1974
By Ed McDonough

This new book from Veloce Publishing, details the origin and history of the Matra sports cars. Racers designed and built by a French firm with no history of sports car racing manufacture to contest the various versions of the World Sports Car Championship between 1966 and 1974. This series of cars started life with the 2-litre BRM engine before progressing to the Ford V8, and subsequently Matra’s own sonorous V12 from its then current Grand Prix car. The book includes the development and race history, with a full list of all race events and individual chassis numbers of Matra cars.
The late 1960s and early 1970s were a significant era in the world of international sports car racing. As the motor racing rule-making body moved back and forth between cars that less and less resembled road going vehicles, prototype sports car racing captured the imagination of manufacturers, teams and fans alike. Porsche vs. Ferrari vs. Alfa Romeo vs. Matra provided some of the best racing for sports cars ever witnessed, and by 1973, the Matra prototype – little more than a Grand Prix car with full bodywork – was dominating the scene. That period has always been viewed as one of the great eras in sports car racing, when all the great Grand Prix drivers were fully active in sports car as well as GP/F1 machines.
This carefully-researched book, which provides the complete story of a great time, and a great make, in motorsport is now available from bookshops or from www.velocebooks.com.

Click here for more info or buy a copy now using Paypal or credit card!

GET WELL SOON SIR STIRLING

Best wishes from all at Veloce to Sir Stirling Moss who is recovering in hospital after falling down a lift shaft at home and breaking both his ankles.
Full story here.

ROY SMITH INTERVIEW

Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 1: 1963-1969
By Roy Smith.
Sports prototype racing is about endurance, for the drivers, for the teams and for the companies involved. In this story we see the effort, the blood, the sweat and the tears, reputations won and lost, life and also death. The cars, some of the most evocative ever seen, are described in detail. We see stunningly beautiful, creative, slippery aerodynamic designs that allowed Alpine to take many class wins and outright victories in championship racing, from 1963 to 1969. You will feel the passion and dedication for racing from interviews with the men involved, illustrated with dramatic period photographs. More info.

Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 2: 1973-1978
By Roy Smith.
Sports prototype racing is about endurance – for the drivers, for the teams, and for the companies involved. Under the new management at Renault, and with assistance from Elf, the state-owned French oil company, Alpine made a remarkable return to sports car racing, vividly described here along with the reputations that were won and lost. More info.

VICTORY FOR DODD ON RALLYE SUNSEEKER

Picture courtesy of www.cmwi.net: Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery heading to victory in the wet conditions on today's Rallye Sunseeker.
Defending champions Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery got the defence of their title underway in the best possible fashion with a sensational seventh victory on Rallye Sunseeker held in Bournemouth at the weekend.

Driving the Hyundai Accent WRC the pair emerged 33.7 seconds ahead of the Peugeot Cosworth of Andrew Burton and co driver Robin Kellard, with former ANCRO champion Steve Perez and co driver Paul Spooner claiming third place a further 13 seconds back on the opening round of the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship.

Dodd, from nearby Poole, overcame the disappointment of retiring on last year's event, and also the drenched Dorset forests this year, to run out a clear winner and apart from a couple of moments during the day his only problem was an errant warning light on the last stage.

Burton, who decided not to register for ANCRO points, brought his crowd-pleasing Peugeot Cosworth home in runner-up spot after Perez, the 2004 national champion, suffered a last stage spin which meant the Chesterfield driver had to settle for third place in his Ford Focus WRC07.
Towcester's Roger Duckworth and co driver Mark Broomfield had a trouble-free run to fourth place in their Subaru WRC, with Paul Bird, from Penrith, and co driver Kirsty Riddick in their Ford Focus WRC08 putting in a brave drive to finish fifth following the death of his mother last week.

Yorkshiremen Jonny Milner and Ian Windress brought their Toyota Corolla WRC home in sixth after a misfire slowed the former double British champion earlier on. Next up was Anthony Willmington, Dave Weston Jnr and Jonny Greer, but none of them were registered for points leaving Co Durham driver Stephen Petch and co driver John Richardson to claim sixth place ANCRO points following their tenth place finish in the Hyundai Accent WRC.

In the Viking Motorsport Ford Escort Challenge, Richard Lane and co driver Frank Richer took the spoils and the Nissan Micra pairing of Ian Barrett and co driver Gavin Wright claimed victory in the 1400cc Cup.
Marcus Dodd: "It's been a very difficult rally and the stages have been as wet as I've ever known them but to win this event for the seventh time is fantastic. One mile from the end of the last stage the water temperature shot through the roof but it was not a problem in the end and to claim victory on my local event is a great start to the year."
The next event takes place on 23rd/24th April with the Pirelli Tour of Cumbria which is based in Carlisle.

Source: www.msagravelrallychampionship.co.uk.

STARS SET TO SHINE ON RALLYE SUNSEEKER

Six-times Rallye Sunseeker winner Marcus Dodd and co driver Andrew Bargery in their Hyundai Accent WRC.
The eagerly anticipated battle for the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship gets underway next weekend when crews from all over the UK as well as further afield converge on the South coast resorts of Bournemouth and Poole for the annual ANCRO season opener as the 25th annual Rallye Sunseeker roars into life.

And with the best entry assembled in recent years, fans on the South Coast's premier motorsport event will be revelling in the atmosphere amidst the Dorset forests.

Six-times event winner and very much the local hero Marcus Dodd from nearby Poole along with co driver Andrew Bargery from just down the coast at Hove, will be looking to win back the crown they relinquished to Isle of Wight Subaru driver Will Nicholls and co driver Nick Broom last year, and given that Nicholls and Broom are not returning to defend their title, the Hyundai Accent WRC pairing will start the event as one of the favourites.

Whereas Dodd is the reigning Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Champion having landed the crown five times in total and the last three times in succession, he faces stiff opposition as heading the challenge will be four former champions who are making a welcome return to the fold.

Twice Rallye Sunseeker winner Roger Duckworth and co driver Mark Broomfield took the Championship honours in 1998 and the driver who lives near Silverstone is back for another crack at the title in his venerable Subaru whereas 2004 ANCRO winner and VK boss Steve Perez from Chesterfield along with co driver Paul Spooner has the ex Marcus Gronholm Ford Focus WRC07 at his disposal and is fresh from winning last weekend's Wyedean Rally. 2005 Champion Paul Bird is back with a vengeance in his works-specification Ford Focus WRC08 and the flamboyant chicken farmer from Penrith has won his last three events in a row along with co driver Kirsty Riddick but like Perez, has never sampled Sunseeker glory. The other winner of the national title to take to the start line is Ulsterman Kenny McKinstry who won the series in 1999 and the Subaru WRC driver will be looking to repeat his win on Rallye Sunseeker of 2002, this time with co driver Harvey Bell on the notes.

The rivalry between Perez and Bird is legendary in Rallye Sunseeker history, but they, as well as Dodd, Duckworth and McKinstry, will be having to look to their rear view mirrors as there are a host of top names expected to be in the mix come Saturday afternoon.

Double British Champion Jonny Milner is reunited with his trusty Toyota Corolla WRC and co driver Ian Windress so could be the dark horse whilst Irish marauders Richard Cathcart/Martin Brady (Subaru WRC) and Jonny Greer (Mitsubishi Evo 9) could spring a surprise. County Durham driver Stephen Petch teams up with John Richardson in their Hyundai Accent WRC and don't rule out local aces Anthony Willmington/Andrew White (Mitsubishi Evo 6) and Scotsman Dave Weston Jnr and Ieuan Thomas in their latest version Subaru. Scandinavian drivers Daniel Sigurdarson and Johannes Gunnarson add to the international ambience in their respective Mitsubishis as part of the shakedown for the upcoming Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge.

With the traditional Friday evening Winter Gardens and Seafront stage not included this year, the event gets underway with a pompous ceremonial start at Poole Quayside at 18.15 on Friday, before the event proper starts on Saturday morning with the traditional loops around the forests and stately homes of Ringwood and Wareham before the winners' champagne is uncorked in Bournemouth town centre around 17.30.

More details, including entry lists, spectator information and maps etc on the event can be found at www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk and information on the 2010 MSA National Gravel Rally Championship is listed at www.msagravelrallychampionship.co.uk.

MATRA SPORTS CARS REVIEWED IN OCTANE

Many thanks to Octane magazine for this review of Matra Sports Cars – MS620, 630, 650, 660 & 670 - 1966 to 1974 by Ed McDonough.


Click here for more info about the book or buy a copy now using PayPal or credit card.

THE GHOSTS OF CIRCUITS PAST!

Monza

Brooklands

Augusta



New! Speedway – Auto racing’s ghost tracks

By SS Collins & Gavin D Ireland



An evocative and original look at the history of eight abandoned race circuits in the USA and Europe, and viewed as they are today in stunning new photographs.

Around the world languish a number of long-forgotten raceways; windswept and abandoned, the derelict pit roads and crumbling concrete are all that remain of once great race tracks. From the NASCAR heartland of North Wilkesboro and Middle Georgia to the great European super speedways at Monza and Brooklands, these faded circuits are now monuments to the victories, defeats, triumphs and tragedies once played out before excited crowds.

With roots as diverse as Nationalist Socialism and Prohibition-era bootlegging, the histories of these places offer an insight to different times and attitudes, as well as the evolution of motor racing. Many of the characters who raced on these circuits had a profound impact on their sport; these circuits, which fostered and occasionally destroyed such great drivers, are revisited here – photographed as they are now, but also remembered in their prime by word and picture.

With over 180 images, this unique and evocative book is available now from bookshops or from www.velocebooks.com.

MOTORSPORT BACK AT THE PALACE!

It's been a long time coming, but Crystal Palace will once again play host to a national motorsport event. Motorsport at the Palace, sponsored by the Ancaster Group, have confirmed that a two-day sprint event will be run over the May Bank Holiday weekend (30-31 May 2010), reigniting the spirit of racing at the Park.

Organised by Sevenoaks and District Motor Club (Sevenoaks DMC), with the support of the London Borough of Bromley, the two-day event will allow visitors to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the legendary machines which powered the likes of Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Stirling Moss to victory.

Martin Chinnery, Chairman of Sevenoaks DMC, says: "Sevenoaks DMC is extremely pleased to announce the return of motorsport to Crystal Palace. Thanks to a lot of hard work and the support of our title sponsor, the Ancaster Group, we're delighted that fans will once again be able to experience racing at the Palace. The range of cars competing, coupled with additional events and displays, will make this a fantastic event for everyone, whether you're a motorsport fan or just after a fun day out."

Stephen Wood, Managing Director of Ancaster, added: "It's not every day you have the opportunity to become a part of history in the making. This event has South London roots older than our own. To see some truly fantastic pieces of machinery - old and new - will make these two days an event not to be missed."

Celebrating the rich history of motorsport at Crystal Palace, a host of modern and vintage cars will be competing for the accolade of fastest car at the Park. Many of these vehicles raced at the Palace decades ago, and spectators will have a unique opportunity to see these classic machines reacquainted with Britain's oldest purpose-built race track. There will also be a new category for electric and alternative-powered cars, providing visitors with a glimpse of things to come, both on the race track and the road.

Competitors will race along a section of the old track, incorporating Pond Hairpin, the Big Tree Bend part of the Terrace Straight and the infamous North Tower Crescent - in a bid to set the fastest time of the day.

Visitors seeking a break from the action will be able to stroll around the numerous display vehicles and open paddock, watching mechanics at work, chatting to the drivers and generally soaking up the racing atmosphere.

Competitors will each donate a minimum £10 in support of St. Christopher's Hospice and the Royal London Society for the Blind; exhibitors will also contribute, ensuring that Motorsport at the Palace provides a lasting benefit to the community.

Tickets are priced at £10 per day and advance tickets will be available at a discount, from the website at www.motorsportatthepalace.co.uk.

Source: Motorsport at the Palace

BIRMINGHAM'S VERY OWN ROAD RACE!

Superprix
by SS Collins & David Page

The story of Superprix, Birmingham’s very own road race – the subject of much controversy amongst residents of the city, politicians' and race fans alike.
The SuperPrix was a motor racing meeting held over August Bank Holiday on a street circuit in the centre of Birmingham, from 1986 to 1990. The principal event was the Formula 3000 Championship race, but support races included touring cars and sports cars. The idea of a motor race in the heart of England's motor city (to emulate the Monaco circuit) had been mooted as early as 1966. In the end, the city's arterial roads round the Bull Ring and the city centre provided one of the most exciting racing events ever staged in the UK. This carefully researched 96-page book details the history of an extraordinary and controversial event and is available now from bookshops or from www.velocebooks.com.

TALES FROM THE TOOLBOX REVIEWED IN OCTANE

Click image to view full size

Click here for more info about the book.

RENAULT REMAINS IN F1

Renault has decided to maintain its commitment to Formula One and welcomes the perspective of a strategic partnership with Genii Capital; a Luxemburg-based firm specialising in new technologies, brand management and motor sport.
Following the proposed sale of a large stake of Renault F1 Team to Genii, both partners will operate the team together. The letter of intent signed by the two companies should be concluded in early 2010.

In 2010, Renault F1 Team will retain its name, its identity and the core ingredients that led to the successes achieved in 2005 and 2006. The team will continue to be supplied with engines by its sister company in Viry-Châtillon, Paris, which is also pleased to have received a renewed commitment from Red Bull Racing for the 2010 season.

After 35 years in the sport, Renault today announces a new phase for its F1 programme, consistent with Formula One's drive for cost efficiencies. Formula One remains one of the biggest sporting spectacles in terms of annual television audiences and media exposure. Therefore, Renault believes that the impact of Formula One in terms of image, and brand awareness worldwide, particularly in new, emerging markets, will continue to play a key role in fulfilling the company's growth objectives in years ahead.

Bernard Rey, Renault F1 Team President, said: "I am delighted to welcome Genii Capital as our new strategic partner as I am sure that their enthusiasm and business expertise will create a new dynamic for the team, the staff, and our partners. Altogether, we look forward to competing again at the highest level in Formula One. Today's announcement also confirms Renault's commitment and trust in the sport's governing bodies to improve the green credentials of Formula One."

In making such a decision, Renault not only demonstrates its commitment to its fans across the world, its employees in the UK at Enstone and in France at Viry and the FIA, FOA and FOTA, but it also believes in the positive impact of promoting relevant technologies in synergy with its product plan. "With the ongoing evolutions of the Formula One regulations, Renault will be able to entertain its fans, while promoting a leaner and sounder Championship. We will show Renault's skill when it comes to developing high-performance, fuel-efficient cars" said Bernard Rey, Renault F1 Team President.

The important cost reduction measures, made possible by the collective work within FOTA, have already improved significantly the operating cost base. With the anticipated sale of a stake in its F1 operational base at Enstone to Genii Capital, Renault achieves today another step that will definitely bring F1 participation to an affordable level for the Group. In addition, the new partnership will contribute to procuring the team the resources to compete sustainably at the highest level, and creates a great opportunity to modernise its governance.
Source: Renault

Veloce's book Alpine & Renault – The Development of the Revolutionary Turbo F1 Car: 1968 to 1979 by Roy Smith represents when Renault entered F1.


Alpine and Renault describes the history of each company involved, the thinking behind the creation of the first turbo-charged Grand Prix car, and the men concerned – from the first ideas to the final ultimate success of a Grand Prix victory. The book covers the development of an experimental car by Alpine in the 1960s, and the story of the men who worked with Gordini, the engine-tuning genius who went on to create a power unit that changed the world’s thinking on engine design. The early tests, first car designed at Alpine, and the Renault-designed and built Grand Prix car made to the specific Formula 1 regulations are described, as well as the full story of the Renault Turbo Grand Prix cars, including interviews with the men of the time, a transcript of the first public test, and race reports on every event. Contains over 400 photos (mainly colour) and special illustrations. Click here for more info about the book.

GOODWOOD ON TV

Image source: Goodwood Motor Sport

If you fancy a lazy Sunday in front of the telly, we recommend staying tuned to ITV4 this weekend, because both the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival will be shown again on ITV4 this coming weekend, Sunday 13 December. So why not grab yourself a cup of tea, glass of beer or champagne and settle down to watch two glorious hours of motor sport action at Goodwood!

The Festival of Speed will be shown on ITV4 at 2.30pm on Sunday 13 December.
The Goodwood Revival will be shown on ITV4 at 3.30pm on 13 December.

And looking further ahead, don't forget, the theme of the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed - provisionally to be held on 2-4 July 2010 - has been titled ‘Viva Veloce! - The Passion for Speed'. We can't wait!

"A CORNUCOPIA OF MEMORIES"

Thanks to Barrie Baldelli for this new review of Motor Racing - Reflections of a lost era by Anthony Carter. The review was recently featured in Cotswolds & Vale Magazine.

Click here for more info about the book.