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Ron Tauranac sold his interest in Brabham to Bernie Eccleston and formed his own company named RALT with the intent of producing single-seater racing cars. The name 'RALT' was created after Ron and Austin Lewis Tauranac. Austin Lewis is the brother of Ron.
In 1975, Ralt began competing in Formula Atlantic competition with their RT-1. The car was also used in Formula Two and Formula Three competition between 1975 and 1978. The RT1 competed in Formula Atlantic competition for many years, amassing 15 Championships. The only other marque to come close to that record is Swift who has won 8 Championships.
In 1979, Tom Glory drove an RT1 to its first Formula Atlantic Championship.
Ralt RT1 Formula Atlantic cars were powered by 1600 cc Cosworth BDD engines with twin Weber 48 DC02 carburetors. The regulations of the series dictated most components of the cars and as such, specifications vary slightly. The Hewland FT200 gearbox was the typical gearbox found in Formula Atlantic cars. Formula 2 cars often used the stronger Hewland FT400 unit.
In 1979 the team created the RT2 which was designed for Formula Two competition. Three cars were constructed for the Toleman team; later, three more were constructed for privateers. One of the RT2 cars created was designed for CanAm competition.
The RT3 was a derivative of the RT2 and created for Formula 3 competition. The RT4 was based on the RT2 and competed mostly in Formula Atlantic competition. The RT5 was a Formula super Vee car similar in design to the RT3 and derived from the RT2. By this point in history, there were many Super Vee builders such as Royale, Anson, Lola, and Zink - to name but a few. The field of builders soon dwindled when RALT introduced their RT-5 in 1980. The series would continue until 1990, but every year except 1986 was won by a RALT RT-5. 1986 was won by Didier Theys in a Martini.
The RT-5 RALT had an aluminum monocoque chassis, fiberglass bodywork, a wheelbase that measured 99.5 inches, and weighed 1075 lbs. The cars were fitted with full ground effects with air foils. The engine displaced 1588cc and produced 180 horsepower. Mated to the engine was a Hewland 5-speed sequential gearbox. The cars were very modern and incorporated electronic control systems.
Production of the RT-5 continued until 1988; during that year only three examples were made. Those three were given a unique front suspension that had the springs and shocks positioned above the driver's knees. The system was very effective and many earlier RT-5 models were updated to this specification.
RALT cars continued to be constructed for Formula series, including Formula 3000 and Formula 3, until the 1990s. Tauranac sold the company to March.
In 1975, Ralt began competing in Formula Atlantic competition with their RT-1. The car was also used in Formula Two and Formula Three competition between 1975 and 1978. The RT1 competed in Formula Atlantic competition for many years, amassing 15 Championships. The only other marque to come close to that record is Swift who has won 8 Championships.
In 1979, Tom Glory drove an RT1 to its first Formula Atlantic Championship.
Ralt RT1 Formula Atlantic cars were powered by 1600 cc Cosworth BDD engines with twin Weber 48 DC02 carburetors. The regulations of the series dictated most components of the cars and as such, specifications vary slightly. The Hewland FT200 gearbox was the typical gearbox found in Formula Atlantic cars. Formula 2 cars often used the stronger Hewland FT400 unit.
In 1979 the team created the RT2 which was designed for Formula Two competition. Three cars were constructed for the Toleman team; later, three more were constructed for privateers. One of the RT2 cars created was designed for CanAm competition.
The RT3 was a derivative of the RT2 and created for Formula 3 competition. The RT4 was based on the RT2 and competed mostly in Formula Atlantic competition. The RT5 was a Formula super Vee car similar in design to the RT3 and derived from the RT2. By this point in history, there were many Super Vee builders such as Royale, Anson, Lola, and Zink - to name but a few. The field of builders soon dwindled when RALT introduced their RT-5 in 1980. The series would continue until 1990, but every year except 1986 was won by a RALT RT-5. 1986 was won by Didier Theys in a Martini.
The RT-5 RALT had an aluminum monocoque chassis, fiberglass bodywork, a wheelbase that measured 99.5 inches, and weighed 1075 lbs. The cars were fitted with full ground effects with air foils. The engine displaced 1588cc and produced 180 horsepower. Mated to the engine was a Hewland 5-speed sequential gearbox. The cars were very modern and incorporated electronic control systems.
Production of the RT-5 continued until 1988; during that year only three examples were made. Those three were given a unique front suspension that had the springs and shocks positioned above the driver's knees. The system was very effective and many earlier RT-5 models were updated to this specification.
RALT cars continued to be constructed for Formula series, including Formula 3000 and Formula 3, until the 1990s. Tauranac sold the company to March.
| Formula 2Formula 2, commonly abbreviated as F2, was introduced in 1947 and would remain in existence until 1985 when it was replaced by Formula 3000. F2 enabled drivers who could not get a seat in Formula 1 to compete internationally. In terms of open-wheeled auto racing, Formula One is the pinnacle of the sport and the dream of the aspiring driver. The high speeds and costs associated with F1 are great; F2 has provided a means of allowing a driver to mature and gain experience before venturing on to the next step. In pre-war time, the F2 sport was often known as 'voiturette' which means 'small car.' Voiturette racing cars were permitted 1.5-liter supercharged engines while the Grand Prix cars were allowed 3.0-liter supercharged or 4.5-liter size in naturally aspirated form. After the war, Formula A and B were introduced, later known as 1 and 2 respectively. Formula A allowed 4.5-liter supercharged cars. Formula B/2 had smaller, less powerful cars than those used in Formula A/1. The rules stated that the engines in F2 were to at most 2-liters in size; 750cc if a supercharge was used. This allowed smaller marques to build racers without having to compete with the most dominate and well-established manufacturers. In 1952-53 Formula 2 counted for the Drivers World Championship, since Formula One had become so expensive that were so few entrants. Non-championship F1 races were still held during this time. In 1954 the rules of F1 changed allowing 2.5-liter engines which drew some of the popularity away from F2. F2 rules were changed in 1957 limiting engine sizes to 1.5-liters. The dominant engine of choice was the Coventry-Climax FPF four-cylinder. In 1967 FIA introduced the European Championship for Drivers for F2 category. This had many Formula One drivers switching to F2. The grading system in F2 allowed this; any driver with an 'A' grade was not permitted to score championship points. The 'A' grade was earned through various means such proving themselves in Grand Prix or World Sports Car events. This allowed the less experienced drivers the opportunity to works towards a championship victory and to mature their careers. It allowed the seasoned drivers an opportunity to continue their driving passion and improve their skills during the off-season of Grand Prix racing. In 1972 the engine size was increased to 2-liter production based engines. In 1976 the rules were modified to allow engines that had been created if the intent were purely for racing. Near the close of the 1970's and into the early 1980's, the costs to compete had sky-rocketed. Works racers had become the dominate force of contention and privateers were unable to keep pace. Interest in the sport dwindled as drivers left for other series. By 1984, the Formula Two series was replaced with Formula 3000. |
| Photos grouped by event | |
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Watkins Glen Historic Sportscar Racing |
Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen |
1984 Ralt RT4 |
|
| Year | 1984 |
| Make | Ralt |
| Model | RT4 |
| Engine Location | Rear |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Production Years for Series | 1981 - 1985 |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 2.00 L | 122 cu in. | 1999.6 cc. |
| Horsepower | 200.00 HP (147.2 KW) |
| Torque | 215.00 Ft-Lbs (291.5 NM) @ 5400.00 RPM |
| HP / Liter | 100.0 BHP / Liter |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| 1 Weber carburetor | |
| Block | Aluminum |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 5 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Hewland FT 200 | |
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| Watkins Glen Historic Sportscar Racing |
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| Other Model Years |
| 1996 RT41 |
| 1981 RT4 |
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Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com