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The Expedition Michèle Ray, 1963 Monte Carlo Rally and Other Worldly Adventures of the Incredible Renault R4

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Four beautiful girls, two R4s, and an expedition the length of the Western Hemisphere leave a trail of broken hearts…

By Roberto Motta

Photos Courtesy of Renault Communications

Renault R4 has allowed generations of drivers the opportunity to take up the challenge of motorsports and to see the world at the same time. This tough little car competed in the 1962 East African Safari Rally (finishing fifth in class), the Monte Carlo Rally, the Expedition Michèle Ray, and the tough 1980 Paris-Dakar, all with success, proving that despite its ungainly looks, it was both reliable and versatile.

As we noted in “Celebrating Fifty Years of the Renault R4”, this small car was a huge social phenomenon. It was also a great commercial success. But the “Regie” wanted more, so to support and increase sales the company decided to demonstrate the reliability and versatility of the R4 with a series of memorable feats. We’ll begin with the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally.

The R4 number 44 makes its way through the snow during the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally.

Monte Carlo Rally

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Monza Weekend: Formula Junior and Vintage

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M. Antoniazzi, De Tomaso Vallelunga worked his way throught field to take fourth overall.

Story and photos by Roberto Motta

The first round of the historical racing championship on the Monza track

On March 26th and 27th, the Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale hosted the first round of the 2011 Italian Historic Championship and the event was well attended.
[Read more…] about Monza Weekend: Formula Junior and Vintage

Ferrari 430GT 1-2 at Monza Four Hours

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Marco Cioci and Piergiuseppe Perazzini in the F430 GT2

Ferrari dominates the first round of the Endurance Championship Cup 2011

Story and photos by Roberto Motta

On March 26th and 27th, the Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale hosted the first of four rounds of the 2011 Endurance Champions Cup and attracted more than thirty entries. The fastest and most powerful cars were the Ferrari 430 GT2, the Ferrari 430 Cup, the Porsche 997 GT3 and Lamborghini GT Cup.
[Read more…] about Ferrari 430GT 1-2 at Monza Four Hours

Citroën Wins Rally Portugal, Mini Cooper Debuts

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Sébastien Ogier flying enroute to his second win in Portugal.

A year after they won their first victory in the FIA World Rally Championship in Portugal, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, after driving a tactically perfect race, have won the event for a second time in a row.

By Roberto Motta

Photos by Citroën Communication Citroën Racing, Ford Motor Company and
Rally de Portugal – media

March 23-27th
After the dusty gravel roads in Mexico, the WRC returned to old Europa for the continuing battle between the Citroën DS3 and Ford Fiesta RS. The fans had great expectations for this third round of the Championship because of the emotional rivalry between the teams. Even Americans had a favorite—Ken Block was entered in a Ford Fiesta WRC.
[Read more…] about Citroën Wins Rally Portugal, Mini Cooper Debuts

Ferrari 458GT2’s Maiden Race

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Not the greatest maiden race, but promising. Melo behind the helmet.

By Roberto Motta

Photos: Ferrari-Media

March 19-20, Sebring, Florida
The Sebring 12 Hours started the season of the American Le Mans Series and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Making their international debut was the Houston’s Risi Competizione 458 Italia GT2 and the Tequila Patron 458 Italia GT2. The Risi 458 was closely observed by Ferrari managing director, Amedeo Felisa, in Florida to witness this special moment.
[Read more…] about Ferrari 458GT2’s Maiden Race

The Year, 1961: the Car, the R4

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1961 R4 open for business.


1961:The R4 Takes its First Steps

Words by Roberto Motta
Photos by Renault Communications

The 4L was Renault’s first “voiture à vivre” or “livable car”. It was based on a brilliant idea: create a car that would break down the barriers assigning one function to each vehicle. [Read more…] about The Year, 1961: the Car, the R4

Citroën DS3 Defeats the Ford Fiesta RS in Mexico

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Jari-Matti Latvala flies through the village of Guanajuato, but the Fiesta could only manage third overall.

RALLY GUANAJUATO MEXICO

By Roberto Motta
Photos by Citroën Communication Citroën Racing, Ford Motor Company and BMW-press

The opening two events of the WRC season provided extremes contrasts: after the snow and ice in Sweden, the FIA World Rally Championship traveled to hot and dusty Mexico for the Rally Guanajuato Mexico. It is the first of seven consecutive events on gravel. The first rally on asphalt will not take place until the end of August when the crews tackle Rally Germany.
[Read more…] about Citroën DS3 Defeats the Ford Fiesta RS in Mexico

Final Days of Testing in Spain

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Massa pulls out for some tire testing.

THE AUSTRALIAN COUNTDOWN BEGINS

By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari-Media

Following the cancellation of the Sakhir test and the Bahrain race, the pre-season continued with the last testing days at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya from Tuesday to Saturday. For the drivers, these testing days are the last chance to wrap up their development programs, evaluate new upgrades and improve their cars before the Australian Grand Prix, March 25-27.
[Read more…] about Final Days of Testing in Spain

Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept: The Snake is Back

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New Alfa 4C GTA is designed to recall the T33 Stradale of 1967. Will it come to the U.S.? Perhaps.

By Roberto Motta
Photos by Alfa Romeo

Will the new 4C herald the end of Alfa’s Big Sleep?

A new Alfa Romeo compact “supercar” which represents the true essence of the brand’s values, made its debut at the the 81st Geneva International Motor Show.

The new Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept is designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, and has very rough lines where the body is put together. But all this purposely creates the engaging personality that is linked to that of the legendary 1967 Type 33 Stradale. The T33 Stradale was derived from the T33 competition car, which defended the colors of the Milanese automaker in the World Championship series.
[Read more…] about Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept: The Snake is Back

Rally Sweden: The Beginning of a New Era?

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Hirvonen's Ford flies through the snow on the way to win the Swedish Rally.

By Robero Motta
Photos Citroën presse- N. Zwickel and Ford Motor Company

Hoping the make the WRC more interesting, new FIA rules now allow 1600cc turbo engine cars. So the Citroën Total World Rally Team has entered two new DS3 WRCs to defend their World Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ titles, but a tough challenger is the Ford Fiesta RSR WRC. [Read more…] about Rally Sweden: The Beginning of a New Era?

Ferrari Testing in Barcelona; Bahrain Cancelled

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Alonso, Ferrari, Barcelona. But no Bahrain.

By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari-Media

The Bahrain Grand Prix, first race of Formula One Championship has been postponed. The decision was taken by the Arabs organizers as results of the sad events that are happening on these days in this country.

Catalunya Testing

On Friday February 18th, the Ferrari 150th Italia started its third test session in preparation for the Formula 1 World Championship, at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
[Read more…] about Ferrari Testing in Barcelona; Bahrain Cancelled

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