Background

During the 1990s, Renault Sport developed a rally car for the Formulae 2 Kit car regulations. This was the Clio Williams Maxi, which was the first car truly developed for the F2 Kit Car category, and first appeared in 1996. However, rivals soon introduced bigger and more powerful cars, which resulted in Renault Sport producing an F2 version of the Mégane in 1996. The Maxi Mégane officially represented the brand in French Championship rallies in 1996 and 1997, and the British Rally Championship from 1996 to 1999. Both the French and British rally teams also competed in the World Rally Championship.

The Bastos brand, long associated with motorsport, provided sponsorship to the Belgian race/rally team called Bastos Racing Team (BRT). BRT existed for 25 years up until 2004. They won the 24h Francorchamps 9 times, the Belgian rally title 7 times and the European Rally Championship twice

This Car

This car was originally built as a group A car by Matter and Renault Sport for Renault UK to compete in the televised 1999 Masters Rallysport event at Silverstone. It was driven by Martin Rowe (British Rally Champion) Jason Plato and Barry Williams as part of the Renault Team.

After this it was used on a few national and international events. Subsequently, the car was unused for several years before being turned into a Maxi /Group A replica of the Kris Princen Bastos liveried car used in the WRC and European events of the late 1990’s.

Technical specification

Engine:                 1998 cc 16V Group A spec.

Induction system: Naturally aspirated, independent throttle bodies.

Transmission:       Sadev 6 Speed Renault Sport gearbox, Launch control.

Suspension:          Tarmac Bilstein set up.

Power output:        240 BHP.

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