RE: Renault-Alpine at Le Mans 2013 - official!
Friday 8th March 2013
A few days ago, we were among the first to bring you the news that Renault was planning a return to Le Mans. What we didn’t realise was just how soon that return will be. An official announcement by Renault at the ACO this morning has revealed that an Alpine-badged car will be contesting not just the 2013 24 Heures, but also the European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 category.
Le Mans entry will boost Alpine's racing credWhat’s more, rather than supplying an Alpine-branded engine, Renault will in fact be providing an Alpine chassis with a Nissan powerplant – neatly sidestepping the anticipated conflict with its Japanese technology partner, which is now providing power for around two thirds of the LMP2 class this year.
A442B took Le Mans for Alpine back in 1978That said, the car won't be a full Alpine works outfit - yet. It'll be run by Philippe Sinault’s Signatech team, and driven by Pierre Ragues, Nelson Panciatici, and an as-yet-unnamed third driver. Renault does, however, indicate that it’s intending to ramp up its awareness-raising motorsport activities between now and the launch of the new Alpine road car, with the aim of giving the Alpine brand some modern-day performance kudos in addition to the heritage it already enjoys. That process started back in January with the entry of five classic A110s into the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, and sources indicate that it could well continue with a full-blown Renault-Alpine LMP1 entry in future years.
Renault-Alpine at Le Mans 2013 - official!
Expect to see blue and yellow back at La Sarthe - as early as this year!
Le Mans entry will boost Alpine's racing cred
The new chassis will be developed in conjunction with Renault-Alpine partner Caterham, meaning both companies will be able to bring to bear their collective experiences with their own F1 teams and single-marque race series. In other words, the new chassis won't be a toe-in-the-water job; indeed, it has the potential to be a real contender, and both companies will be aiming for this to be a mainstream campaign, rather than an attack on the establishment from the fringes.
A442B took Le Mans for Alpine back in 1978
The new LMP2 car, meanwhile, will be unveiled in late March, and will make its competitive debut at the first round of the ELMS at Silverstone on 13 April.
ALPINE IN ENDURANCE RACING
Although more readily associated with rallying, the Alpine brand also has a comprehensive history in the endurance classes, culminating in outright victory at Le Mans in 1978. Here are some stats that should help give you full bragging rights at the pub this weekend:
| Years Active: | 1963-1969, 1973-1978 |
| Races campaigned: | 240 |
| Le Mans Wins: | 1 outright, 7 class, 3 ‘Efficiency Index’, 2 ‘Performance Index’ |
| Other Endurance Wins: | Nurburgring 500km (1965), Macau GP (1966), Casablanca GP (1968) |
| Championships: | French Sportscar (1963, 1964); European 2-Litre Sportscar (1974) – 7 race wins |
Discussion
I do like Renault.
IMO the brand & road car offerings appear to have diminished since they moved their focus from F1, Renaultsport and oil-fueled roadcars to the creation of the ZE range.
That doesn't seem to have taken off as they hoped - iirc sales are down...
Maybe this move back to big league motorsport might put some interest back into the rest of their range.
IMO the brand & road car offerings appear to have diminished since they moved their focus from F1, Renaultsport and oil-fueled roadcars to the creation of the ZE range.
That doesn't seem to have taken off as they hoped - iirc sales are down...
Maybe this move back to big league motorsport might put some interest back into the rest of their range.
This could be interesting.
I wonder how much scope there would be for handing Renault's bread-and-butter ranges over to Dacia and focusing on the creation of Renault-Alpine as a purely sporting name? Seriously, with the mid-range of the European market in freefall, I reckon focusing on budget Dacias would be a smart move. But make all the sporty stuff (any version of the Megane Coupe, the RenaultSport Clio and Twingo and any road car that might result from this Le Mans entry) a Renault, with the Alpine badge reserved for the fastest of the fastest. Caterham would be responsible for the race-ready semi-road part of the business, and Nissan can do their own thing as it seems to work, but it seems there's enough potential within the group to stem falling Renault runabout sales by, well, not making them Renaults any more.
I wonder how much scope there would be for handing Renault's bread-and-butter ranges over to Dacia and focusing on the creation of Renault-Alpine as a purely sporting name? Seriously, with the mid-range of the European market in freefall, I reckon focusing on budget Dacias would be a smart move. But make all the sporty stuff (any version of the Megane Coupe, the RenaultSport Clio and Twingo and any road car that might result from this Le Mans entry) a Renault, with the Alpine badge reserved for the fastest of the fastest. Caterham would be responsible for the race-ready semi-road part of the business, and Nissan can do their own thing as it seems to work, but it seems there's enough potential within the group to stem falling Renault runabout sales by, well, not making them Renaults any more.
PH seems to be the only website saying it will be a Caterham made chassis. Even a statement on the official Renault website http://www.media.renault.com/global/en-gb/alpine/M... only mentions:
For its return to Le Mans, Alpine has joined forces with Signatech. The Philippe Sinault-run team will enter an Alpine LM P2 prototype with an Alpine chassis powered by a 500hp Nissan engine for the five rounds of the ELMS, including the opening race at Silverstone, England (April 13). The drivers will be Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues.
The highlight of the season will naturally be the Le Mans 24 Hours. The name of the third driver who will join the team for the world’s most famous endurance race will be announced when the car is officially presented at Le Castellet, France, on March 24.
No mention whatsoever of Caterham. Will probably be a rebadged Oreca chassis, just like the 'Morgans'.
Sad.
For its return to Le Mans, Alpine has joined forces with Signatech. The Philippe Sinault-run team will enter an Alpine LM P2 prototype with an Alpine chassis powered by a 500hp Nissan engine for the five rounds of the ELMS, including the opening race at Silverstone, England (April 13). The drivers will be Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues.
The highlight of the season will naturally be the Le Mans 24 Hours. The name of the third driver who will join the team for the world’s most famous endurance race will be announced when the car is officially presented at Le Castellet, France, on March 24.
No mention whatsoever of Caterham. Will probably be a rebadged Oreca chassis, just like the 'Morgans'.
Sad.
^ I was about to post that same thing...
If it's only a rebranded chassis... "Renault returns to Le Mans in the most cheapskate possible way".
Well, essentially it's a sponsorship then, so I guess that is great since they are partly paying the bills for the team, but no way it is fantastic news.
If it's only a rebranded chassis... "Renault returns to Le Mans in the most cheapskate possible way".
Well, essentially it's a sponsorship then, so I guess that is great since they are partly paying the bills for the team, but no way it is fantastic news.
all a bit confusing, Pierre Ragues is on the reserve list for Le Mans in the Signatech. Are both Signatechs going to be rebadged as Alpine/Renault/Caterham ????? or as PH say a new chassis ?? 
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