This is the first ever English language book about Alpine Renault and the development of the first turbocharged racing car. It describes the history of the two companies involved in the project, the thinking behind the creation of this revolutionary Grand Prix car and the men concerned - from the first ideas to the final ultimate success.The author covers the development of an experimental car by Alpine in the 1960s, the work of Gordini the engine-tuning genius, the early tests, and the final Renault-built Grand Prix car built to specific Formula 1 regulations.

Author Biography

Roy Smith is a retired company director with a life-long passion for motorsport in general, and, since 1968, for Alpine Renault in particular. He began writing in the 1960s for club magazines, mainly interviewing notable people of the time. A 40 year career in sales and marketing included the preparation of many technical documents, developing an attention to detail that proved essential in writing this book. Roy has written Alpine Renault-related articles regularly since 1989 for various magazines, and is the UK correspondent for a major French Alpine Renault magazine, Mille Miles. Roy began rallying Minis in the 1960s with the Craven Motor Club, was a regional secretary of the 750 Motor Club, served as a fire marshall at Silverstone in the 1970s, returned to motorsports actively in the 1980s, and won 5 regional sprint championships in saloons and single seaters in the 1990s, including a hillclimb championship class with an Alpine Renault A110. He is currently preparing a second book entitled Target le Mans ... Renault and the Alpine Sports Prototypes.