The car presented here is a 1986 Renault 21 Turbo (Phase 1), in left-hand drive built in Dieppe. It was supplied to Renault Holland for Michael Bleekomolen, the ex-F1 and F3 driver, and Renault stalwart, to use with some success in 1988/89 Dutch Touring Cars, being sponsored (quite infamously) by top-shelf magazine publishers, Penthouse (see historical images).
Following this period, it was brought to the UK by GB Motorsport and Renault UK and prepared to compete in the Willhire 24-hour races, their first real foray into production saloon racing as a precursor to their commitment to BTCC. Subsequently raced by James Roseblade whose team continued with the long-distance racing theme supported by Renault UK. Then followed a period when the car was in storage.
Our vendor, of Renault specialists Prima Racing, bought the car from the Renault Alpine Club UK in 2018 in an already partially-stripped state; his plan was to fully restore the car and race it in the Motor Racing Legends Historic Touring Car Series in 'Group A'. He continued the car’s preparation and sent it to Custom Cages for a new roll cage and then to Pro-Alloy to have new intercooler, water radiator and header tank manufactured. Later in the restoration, Pro-Alloy also manufactured a 100-litre FIA fuel tank with revised ‘period’ quick-fill fuel system through the boot lid. The fuel system includes a swirl pot, lift pump, and two Bosch 044 spec fuel pumps. The car was then fully stripped out, the bodyshell stripped and blasted, modified to accept 8"-wide wheels on the rear, new fuel tank holder, sill stand tubes and new standard jacking points. The shell was then etched-primed and painted in its original black and silver livery. The underside of the car was given a protective coating.
This year our vendor was obtained a DVLA Registration Document for the car which will help with taking the car abroad for events; it has only been used for two track sessions for testing and two demo runs at Shelley Walsh for the 2023 Classic Nostalgia.
All new parts were used as required:
Chassis
Sill stands
New fuel tank mounting
New roll cage by Custom Cages
Painted silver internally and black externally with Penthouse livery
New side skirts modified for jacking points/side exhaust
Corbeau Kevlar racing seat with alloy side mounts, QSP 6-point HANS racing harness
Red Top 40 battery with electronic cut off and Anderson plug
Aeroquip stainless oil, fuel and brake lines and stainless fittings
Heated front windscreen
Flocked dash with individual instruments and controls
Lifeline Zero 360 electronic fire extinguisher
Complete custom race car loom, PDM and programmable engine ECU
Quick-release QSB suede steering wheel
Suspension
Rear axle reconstructed with bearings (no rubber)
Custom 'Group A' suspension with Eibach springs, alloy rose-jointed front top mounts
All new front and rear hubs with special TK Precision wheel studs
Power steering converted to switchable electric pump
Front cross-member modified for blade anti-roll bar and fitted rose jointed tubular wishbones
Brakes
AP Racing 6-pot calipers with 330mm front discs
Rear 300mm discs
Twin AP Racing cylinder pedal-box - adjustable
Hydraulic handbrake
Wheels/tyres
8" x 17" Bola alloy wheels and 210/625 17" Yokohama tyres
Engine
'Group A'-spec, Cup crank, forged rods and pistons, ductile liners, Uprated oil pump, modified Prima Racing cylinder head, competition cam, vernier adjustable, Bosch blue injectors, ladder sump, steel flywheel, 6 paddle clutch, T34 competition turbo on stainless Zircotec coated manifold, alloy boost and water pipes, competition engine mounts, WOSP competition alternator and starter motor
Currently mapped at 23psi boost, on 99-octane fuel with potential to increase power from 300bhp to 350bhp (fairly easily)
3" side exhaust system with Zircotec coated downpipe
Gearbox/diff/driveshafts
Rebuilt gearbox. New Gripper LSD, Quaife (Tour de Corse) gear kit and new competition driveshafts
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