Ralt RT 4

On the mention of RT4's. Any info on chassis #185. I was told it was one of the first imported to the U.S. but can't find an early history.

RT4-185

This car raced in UK 1980 - 1982.
1980 with David Leslie
1981 to David Duffield
1982 used by Ray Mallock as F2 car
1984 I have still in UK running FL with James Stevenson, which information comes, I think, from Jeremy Jackson
These notes come from period journals so I rather doubt the attribution of it being an early import.
If Adam's Ralt records go on, maybe we should have a separate RT4 thread. We have very good records on RT4s in UK and Australia/NZ so might be able to sort rest out by elimination.

Chris

Chris, agreed on Terry Gray. He seemed very 'fashionable in FF with Van Diemen in 78 and 79, then suddenly disappeared completely. Anyone know why, or was it the usual lack of cash issue ?

On RT4s, are you certain -185 was the Mallock occasional F2 car in 1982. I presumed Duffield used it for his odd F2 races that year, not Ray M. This would make sense as Duffield also used it in FAt over here in 82, along with Alo and Flux also in RT4s. Have we discussed the latter 2 cars here before ?

Was Ray M out in F2 that year, can't recall now, I know he was doing the Nimrod thing that year. If he was, surely it would have been in his 81 FAt RT4, not Duffield's.

Thanks for the info. on RT4-185. I can trace it to So. Florida in the late 80's, but thats as far back as it goes. Thanks again.

Originally posted by Chris Townsend
RT4-185

...

1984 I have still in UK running FL with James Stevenson, which information comes, I think, from Jeremy Jackson
...
Chris

Yep, that was from me. Noted the chassis plate at mallory in July 1984.

I will get around to the 1980s but I have to say that the predominance of Ralt RT4s does make them rather less interesting, just as ground effects destroyed spectacular racing.

Chris, I suspected you may already be on the case !

Couldn't agree more re the RT4s, much as I admire Ron T, his supereffiency with the RT3/4/5/6 series did rather destroy those formulae for a while in the 80s. All part of the increasing "professionalism" I guess.

82 AGP I was able to work out the chassis number of every RT4 there except Miedecke and Creasy [incidentally is this the same guy who raced a BT30 in UK in early 70s?] but could really use Crang's car!

Can't help with your RT4 numbers except to say that Miedecke's 1982 car was the one he had raced in 1981; he had a different one in 1983 and a third in 1984...

Oh, and I don't think Australian Bob Creasy was the same person as the UK BT30 driver Bill Creasy

Oh, and I don't think Australian Bob Creasy was the same person as the UK BT30 driver Bill Creasy

Creasy's RT4 confirmed at #279.

Regarding RT4s. Many thanks. I have a small problem with Miedecke's cars in 81/82
Ralt sales records show him consigned RT4-256, and this number is confirmed, I think, in Dave McKinney's AGP report for 1981. 1982 we have him in 252 however, a car originally consigned to Steve Shelton in USA. He keeps this car, because David records it as the car Meidecke enters for Danner in NZ in 1983. In 1984, at least some of the time, he runs Watson's RT4-269 [ex Garza and Radisich]. Then he gets RT4-512 in October 84 new from the works.
What happened to 256 at the beginning of 82 that caused him to buy 256?

Andrew Miedecke , 1981 Ralt RT4-252 ,
-----------------, 1982 Ralt RT4-252,
--------------------, 1983 Ralt RT4-252,
Terry Ryan , 1984 Ralt RT4-252.

Closest to this chassis no. is John Bowe's 1st Lucky Nuts sponsored car 255.

Bryan.

Chris

I spoke to Jeremy couple of months ago - his was just a one off drive at the "Runoffs" - then called CSPRRC - on Oct 17, 1982. Before that I understand that the car [RT4-180] was part of Robertson's 'team' - names like Unser Jr and Michael Andretti being mentioned. Charles Warner knows more about this era than I do - I've asked him to join in. Apparently one car was red [mine?] and the other blue.

After that the log book for RT4-180 lists Gary Revesz [glad you knew how to spell his name, his signature is illegible] -
- June Sprints, Elkhart, June 17/18 1983
- Brainerd National, Aug 6/7 1983
- War Games, Indianapolis Raceway Park, Sep 30 1983
- MAR[?] Regional, Aug 25 1984
- Milwaukee Regional/National, Sep 1/2 1984
- REgional, Road America, Sep 22/23 1984
- WOR Regional IRP, Oct 6/7 1984
- then nothing until -
- passed 'Annual tech' St Louis Region, Apr 5 1987 with note 'nice car'
- then driver James H Burt
- Hellett, Apr 10/11 1987
- 'Hutch' [?] National, May 23 1987
- Hallett, June 13/14
- Blackhawke Farms, June 27/28
- Indy Grand Prix, July 18/19 1987 - accident frt susp etc
- updated Annual Tech, repairs completed, nice job, Aug 20 1987

How long do you want me to go on? This could take a long time!

1988 was a Bruce Poehlman
1989/90/91 was a Les Mankofsky
1992 - nothing
August 1993 sold to Charles Warner
January 1999 sold to me.

Charlie's 'ad' for the car, when I bought it is at http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/ralt/rt4180/rt4180ss.htm

Chris, I suspect -155 is the Salazar car. We're still ,unsure, I think, how many other RT3s were made in 79, ISTR one being in Italy, maybe one with Schafer in Germany too. These may have been 160 and 166, as I don't think Wilson got his much before Spring 80, and Stanley slightly after that.

On RT4s, I guess -162 was the first one, that Ray M raced late in 79 at Brands, and won. I wonder whether this is the one you have Sullivan in also late in 79 ? Perhaps Ray shook it down prior to going to the US.
At eastern creek yesterday I saw a RaltRt4 with thr front shocks mountedd diagonally on the front of the tub, has anyone got an explanation

Where did they all come from.

With Messrs Miller & Fellowes to the fore, I look forward to finding out.

There were actually 13 RT4's,a total field of 29 Atlantic/Euro F2.Included were 2 Euro F2 Chevrons.I had the priveledge of being part of this great field in my 88 RT4.What it found astonishing was that the RT4's were only 2.5 secs slower than a current Euro F3 car,400cc smaller and on carburettors and 20 years older.The event overall was good to be part of,we do not get to run at these International meets,and everyone really enjoyed the atmosphere. If i can work out how to post a picture i will do so.

The lower half of the grid!!!

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/901/assemblyarea9eg.jpg

Photo Credit to John Gale

http://img307.imageshack.us/img307/3100/a1gpjpg6za.jpg

This is the best photo easily by a country mile, Thanks Pete,

(who has aged 5 years in the last 5 minutes, now hates computers and has taken to drink.....?) :)

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/3159/pete11rd.jpg

Hi cavvy, dont know much on the RT4's so perhaps Bryan or Pete can help, but there are some great histories to be heard.

Pretty Please?

& Pete, thanks for the great photos, I'll do the other one later, Cheers Andrew

The Ralt RT4's at the A1 GP

Ian Ross 1981 Nelson Piquet 81 AGP Calder
Geoff Calvert 1981 Jacques Laffite AGP Calder
Ray Hanger 1981
Vince Holland 1982 Graham Lawrence NZ
Peter Addison/Michael Henderson 1982 ex USA
Chris Farrell 1982 ex USA
Richard Carter 1983/86 ex USA
Vivian King 1986 Ted Prappas Atlantic Championship(west coast)
Les Wright 1986 Scott Goodyear Atlantic Championship(east coast)
Tim Davies 1986(did not start)
Ty Hanger 1986 ex USA
Rob Poynton 1986 ex USA
Sean Whelan 1987
Stephen Borness 1987 Jon Beekhius USA
Me 1987/88 Scott Harrington ex USA

We also have another 25 RT4's here with good histories that were not at the A1

Pete

Thanks Pete,
25 x RT4s in garages ?

Lets hope you guys (& Bryan, Andrew et al) see the light of day down here in Vic soon.

Pete

Do you have chass nos for the two 1982 ex USA cars?

That makes 38 RT4s in Australia. You could run qualifying heats!

Chris

Chris

The 2 USA cars,Farrell has no ID# that i know of,will try to get hold of him to clarrify.The other, RT4-311 Michael Henderson.
Other 82's if you are interested.
John Clegg New Zealand RT4-286
Graham Mein Australia RT-4 292 ex Dan Marvin
Vince Holland RT4-313 Australia ex Lawrence
Pete Brennan RT4-331 Australia ex Alan Jones/Allison/Oxton
RT4-344 is here somewhere,but was only a slider,needs work

Pete

Pete

311 was the car of Canadian driver Brian Mcloughlin. Very lightly raced in period [at least by McLoughlin] who sold the car in 83 after one pro race and a few Canadian Clubs... I lose it after that. Does Michael Henderson have any back history into the mid 80s? [All the RT4s used in the USA in 84, bar one, are 81-83 build so second-hand history is essential]
If Farrell has tub/fuel cell nos can probably identify, as I recently did with Mark Moore's car in the USA.

286 was originally an American car too - run by Lane Sports for one of Rosen, Hunter or Rodriguez. Back history useful here too for same reason as 311.

292: Dan Marvin? When? This too was Lane Sports car in 82, but run in NZ series in early 83 for Mike Rosen. [chassis noted by David McKinney] Rebuilt on "new" tub after shunt at NZGP '83. This was the original tub out of RT4-355 [Norm Hunter] so if we're lucky it should now have tub 83/9 in it, not 82/158. [This might be the Marvin connection, as 355 was an Alan McCall car, and he ran Marvin later in the 80s.]

313 new to Lawrence and rented to some very useful drivers in its time.

331 Graham Watson/Bob Jane and used by Jones/Allison and Oxton

Chris

Missed one:
344 was an American car. Somewhere between August and October 82 delivery.
No idea who for, so again, any back history is useful.
Gradually sorting out RT4s for Atlantic histories in the 1980s, and since about a quarter of the build seems to now live in Australia that could solve a lot of problems!

Chris

Chris
292 maybe correct for Rosen,my mistake maybe was thinking it was the Marvin car,Graham Mein has 2 x 82 RT4's,the other is RT4-317 which maybe the Marvin car.Also will get the AM# off 292 from Mein

311 Will contact Hendo next week

286 John Clegg has no idea of history

344 will locate car

Pete

Does anyone in Australia have a contact for Andrew Miedecke?
There's a peculiarity in RT4 history he can help with

Col Haste has just moved to the country of N.S.W. and Andrew Miedecke owns virtually all the car dealerships in Port Macquarrie where Col is , so send him a P.M. maybe.

Bryan.

Great photos - RT2/3/4/ series are some of my favourite ever cars - but its interesting to see how many helemt appear to at the same level as the top of the roll bar!

Good to see these cars. I have just picked up RT4-254 (Robertson Team car) and RT4-259 (Schollum). We are in the process of manufacturing new factory spec rear wings as well as rear wing mounts. Also mild steel exhaust headers. Any interest from that side of the water?

Charlie

Not sure how much use the team got from 254 as this car went to Mark Moore, mid 81 and the works didn't run a car until later in the season.

259 was indeed new to Schollum for Steve Millen, but it looks as though
after Long Beach 82 the car was sold in the USA, because at Trois Rivieres
Price Cobb turns out in a car, run by Sanders Racing, that is described as 'ex Millen' NZ champ winner. Then I have an add from "Rick" in Denver in On Track 30.7.84 p. 72 selling a '81 RT4 ex Cobb, and guess it is this car as Cobb only ran the Sanders car in late 82 season.
Any suggestions on who Rick might have been?

Chris

Chris,

The logbook on the Schollum car shows the following owners.

Allen Michelet
Bob Kucharski
Kurt Hansen
Steve Hull
Don Huston
Roy Buralli
myself.

I can look at the logbook for 254 after I get homr from this trip.

Chris,

Do we have a comprehensive list of who owns the 1980-1982 RT-4s? I know Derek has 2 1980 versions, I have 2 1981 versions, Dale Lang has a 1981 RT-4 and a 1981 RT-2. Others? Any websites devoted to these cars?

Require all imformation, photos, logos etc for atlantic ralt driven by Thomas Skaff,toledo Oh #22 Ralt RT-4/ Paine Webber/ Quaker State raced Montreal, Grand Prix Labatt of Canada, June 14 1986. The Atlantic event formed part of the e-z wider challenge series. the ralt was owned by T.Carmichael from 82-86 then Peter Gates 86-88. scca log book ID# 29-152 and model RT4-354.
The vehicle was imported to Australia in 2001. Asking for help to restore this ralt to its most significant history.

Mathew, Hi. Consigned to Ralt American late 1982 [no date in sales record
but probably early November.] Original tub 82/8 or 82/5. Gearbox FT1561
Fuel cell Marston JM39256.

Might T.Carmichael be Dan Carmichael? 7th with an RT4 in 1984 SCCA run-offs
Can't find any pro results for a Carmichael in 1983 or in 84 WCAR, which suggests
SCCA history
Afraid don't have Atlantic history from 1985 onwards anything like complete yet, but would guess used in ECAR and SCCA
Peter Gates uses a March 81A throughout 1986 so I guess he bought it at the end of the season.

Looks as though this might be a lightly raced car and its ECAR appearances would be the high point.

Chris

It's a long shot but I think a fellow racer may have run that event in '86 with in a Player's Challenge Camero in a support race. He may have the entry, program, etc. I'll check with him and let you know. Here's a link that shows the results. HTH.

http://www.autocourse.ca/archives/usa/fatlantic/1986/fatlantic.htm

Season's greetings to all. :rotate:
Cheers.

Followup to my last post, the chap I had in mind didn't run that event. :(
However I see your man did finish the race, albeit well down the field but if nothing else it confirms the car was there. :)
Formula Car magazine (USA) likely covered that event well. You might try searching out the July or August issue to see what they may have. I have a partial collection of that mag but none from that year.
Cheers.

Thanks all for feed back,can any help with driving history of Tom Skaff or help with sponsor colour scheme of vehicle from 86 GP.

Mathew,

With almost complete certainty, your T. Carmichael is actually Dan Carmichael, of Bexley, part of the metropolitan Columbus, Ohio. Dan was quite a skilled racer, only retiring from active competition within the last 10 years. He is legendary in this area as a driver of Sunbeam Alpines and Tigers back in the 60's and later with formula cars, mostly SCCA FB and FAtl. He won his last SCCA national championship at around age 75 in the late 90s, in I believe a Ralt RT 40 or 41.

I think Dan was a fighter pilot in the Korean war and the skills of flying served him well in race cars.

I guess the reason I am fairly certain of this is that you included the SCCA logbook/ rollbar number, 29-152. For those not familiar with this numberiing system, the first part of the number is the SCCA region where the car was registered and the 2nd part is the consecutive number assigned by that region. And region #29 is Ohio Valley Region, of which I was a member for over 25 years and it is based here in Columbus.

I would not be surprised if Dan didn't have some photos of the car when he was running it.

Roger

If Dan drove the car it should show some modifications relative driver size. I believe Dan is about 6'5" or so. I believe he usually stretched the tubs about 4 inches.

Thanks Roger & Charles,have searched for contact of Dan although not successful can any one advise?Dan Carmichael Jr, Naval aviator ace flew in WW2.

Mathew,

I'll contact him for you if you wish. I bought some tools and weber jets from him when he retired from racing and he should be in the local phone book. I've already checked to see if he was in the last OVR member directory, but he must have dropped out after he quit racing. Charlie is right, he is pretty tall, but not so sure he is so tall he would have to stretch the tub to fit.

Roger

Roger, can you also enquire to when Dan sold ralt to Tom Skaff. Spoke to R.P Gates who purchased vehicle from Skaff damaged in 1987. I think late 85 early86 as log book does not show pass of ownership to Skaff although there is entries in log book.
Matt

Chris

Could you look up RT4-357 on your list please. It has just, maybe, surfaced here in the US. The pages you sent me only go to 350 [at my request] which was delivered in Oct 1982. Hope 357 is on there - date, colour, AM#, Cell# etc all appreciated. Current owner thinks it is a rare 1983 model - how many are there on the list? Has been rebuild with a Bahner tub.

Thx - Derek

Chris,

As the "other one" I am wondering if you have any data on how many RT4s of each year were built. Especially 1983 and 1984. I was under the impression that quite a few 1983 models were built but less than 10 1984 models. One source is saying 130 1983 cars were built and this sounds a bit high to me. I would guess more like 40-50 units. Do you have the correct numbers? This is the same issue that Derek is asking about.

Cheers,

Doug Nye's book says 10 in 1983 and 2 in 1984 - but we know he's been wrong before. Chris - can you help?

Derek,

I have seen at least 4 different 1984s for sale at various times - and they were ALL driven by Michael Andretti! (I believe Mikey went to CART in the KRACO car in 1984 but the urban legend is that he drove the 1984 RT4. I believe he drove the 1983 RT4 in 1983 with the first race at Long Beach in a Tiga Atlantic.)

Michael drove SuperVee in 1982 and won the title.
Atlantics in 1983 - won title [or at least one of them, were they split thatyear?]
Also in 1983 drove at LeMans and in the final few CART races.
1984 full time in CART.
So no 1984 RT4 for him.
E&OE

Working through RT4 histories for the later models [85-88] is causing me a headache despite the limited number of cars, largely because they seem to change hands or get rented out so often.

I need some feedback [any feedback] on the following cars, and yes I'm sure that Michael Andretti drove them all...

Ken Smith has two cars, an 86 and an 88.
86 is I think chassis 659. Does this go to USA in 1987 for Mike Demski-Dean Hall-John Christian?
88 there don't seem to be enough cars to go round, but it might be chassis 726. If so, does it go to Scott Harrington's team after the NZ series?

Graeme Lawrence's later cars
Lawrence buys 664 in October 86 and I guess runs it in 87 NZ series. What happens then? f/s OT 13.4.87 p.71 Michael Demski 87 RT4 NZ GP winner developed by Lawrence. This must be 664, does Demski bring it to USA?

Lawrence's car in 88 NZ. Lawrence is said by On Track to buy Eric Lang's 87 RT4 for this series. Does anyone have a chassis number for this car? Or better, own it!

Bren brothers in NZ winter 87
At the moment there seem to be two more cars around than there are early 87 models in the build record.
Steve and Cary Bren take a pair of RT4/87s to NZ for the 87 series. OT 11.11.85 p.10 says these cars were purchased from Ralt Australia which would suggest 591 and 592 consigned to Watson in Oct 86; but Watson has 86 spec cars in NZ 87 too and goes on using them in the US in 87

The Tony George/David Kudgrave cars in NZ 88. Dave White takes a pair of RT4/87s to NZ for this series. I presume these to have been two of the three team cars run for Al Mitchell etc in the US, but want to be sure that the cars sold to Mitchell in late 86 weren't the cars taken by the Brens in 87. Any chassis numbers noted on these guys?

673 and 674 in 87 went to O'Connor for Calvin Fish and Stocker for Tom Knapp respectively. Does anyone out there have one of these cars and know what happened to it in 1988?

Chris

Chris,

I can probably help with some , Ed Holly and I have been at the RAAF Airshow at Richmond Airforce base today and we are all FA18 , F111 , Meteor , Canberra bomber , Mustang , Spitfire , Vampire , Globemaster etc. spaced out.
Who needs old racing cars when you can have an FA18 doing 7.5 G turns in front of you.

Bryan.

Chris,

All that follows is from SCCA logs and the applicants investigations.

RT4- 575 , new to Tom Mitchell racing [ 1 of 2 ] used by Scott Goodyear to win c/ship.
Dec. 86 -Aug 88 , Cliff Rademaker [ Texas]
Aug 88 - May 89 , Michael Finch [ ex pat Kiwi , in the states.] maybe car went to NZ for series [ can't read notes]
May 89 - July 90 , Robin Granger [ L.A.]
July 90 - Oct. 96 , Stu Hanssen [ Santa Ynez , Calif.]
Tony Simmons [ Australia 97/98 ] now with Les Wright in Sydney for about 4 years.

Will do seperate posts as I find the cars .

Bryan.

2.5 Ralt-Hart/Hill RT4-82-157

This car ended up with first Patrick Wood and then Richard Williams. Richard had a shunt at Pembrey with the car and is currently looking at a rebuild. It is still fitted with the Hart 2.5 engine.

:)

RT4-592,

This is all from Graham Watson's notes.

Purchased by Ralt Australia Oct. 85 , for A.G.P Nov 85 , driver Jeff McPherson .
To N.Z. for series 86 , drv J. McPherson , 3 x 1st places.
Back to Australia , for Gold star series, Sandown [ Bap Romano 2nd] , Wanneroo 1st. Adelaide 2nd.
Then Calder [ Ken Smith] 1st. Winton 1st.
Then Oran Park 3rd , Keith McClelland , then Ken Smith again at Amaroo, dnf.
Then back to NZ Oct/Nov 86 , David Brabham in the 3 race Global Series, then also David Brabham 1987 Jan. series.
notes unreadable , but seems to say sold to Richard ??

It looks like maybe Ken Smith owned it from sometime in 1986 all through to 1998 , when it was sold to Ray Stubber in Western Australia , now owned by Richard Carter in Sydney about 2 years or so .

Bryan.

RT4-595.

1986 model originally ordered by Graeme Lawrence , but although deposit paid sponsorship didn.t arrive and car sat at factory for about 12 months , thence purchased by Bob Donaldson and assembled by Alan McCall in 1988 ,
1990 , Barry Thomlinson NZ.
1991 , Bob Donaldson , NZ.
1993 , Morris O'Riley NZ , not much use , then used in some Classic races 1996,
Purchased 1998 by Tim Davies [ Western Australia ] retained.

Bryan.

I'm pretty sure that there is an RT4 sitting in the car museum at the World of Wearable Art (don't even think of asking) at Nelson in NZ. No chassis or car details on their website but there is a contact there.

Bryan

595 may be an issue. Ralt build record has this as sale to John Lloyd [USA] 17 Oct 85 [so 86 model] If so, Lloyd's 86 car and James King/rental drivers in 87.

The last thing I need right now is another car sitting unused for a year! There aren't enough 86s to go round as it is.

575 agree; add For sale by OT 17.10.88 p. 84 RT4/86 Scott Goodyear's winning car, fresh Jennings, Cliff 505 885 6137 guess this is Rademaker, so extends his ownership to Oct 88

RT4-82-157 is a rather suspect number. 157 in the Ralt build records is a FSV sold to John Neilsen, and the 1982 build range for RT4 starts at 266

Chris

Chris,

Don't shoot me , I am only the messenger delivering the paperwork as presented as supporting evidence .

I am only too aware of some dubious histories , however with them out in the open then we can work towards resolving issues and suggesting to current owners that all is not correct with their research/supporting documentation.

Bryan.

Bryan

Does the owner have tub/fuel cell/gearbox nos?
[Esp fuel cell in this case...]

Chris

Chassis 592
having a problem accomodating this..
If 592 was McPherson's 86 NZ car then it won the championship there.
So 592 must be this car for sale in OT 22.2.88 p. 79 "87 WCAR winner, winner 86 Tasman Champ"
The problem here is that if it was both the 86 NZ champ and WCAR winner in 87 then it spent 87 in California not Australia, having a fairly active life in the hands of Johnny O'Connell, entered by McNeill Motorsports.

Chris

Roberto Moreno was in Surfers Paradise last week and he is a possible starter for Speed on Tweed next year if we can find his RT4. Anyone know where it is please?
This is an interesting page http://www.prostfan.com/racedet/82cal.htm for numbers.

Andrew

There are quite a lot of real ex Moreno RT4s [more than Michael Andretti had for sure]
You are looking for one of
261 1981 Australian GP
265 1981 Selangor and 1982 NZ series [I think Ian Ross has this one in AUS]
One of 204/209/210 [all ex Lane Sports] his car at Long Beach 1982 subsequently to Carlos Bobeda and then unknown
339 works development car used in late season 82 US, last seen with James King 1985
352 1982 Australian GP; last seen in US with Steve Shelton 1985
348 1982 Macau and early 1983 US; 1983 AGP; 1984 AGP
One or more of 347, 349 and 350 run by Kerry Agapiou in US 1983 season after Goold Motorsport ran out of money.

I think that's all. Did Roberto run Atlantic after 1984 AGP?

Chris

This is an interesting page http://www.prostfan.com/racedet/82cal.htm for numbers.Some people really don't seem to understand the concept of copyright!

http://www.oldracingcars.com/results/result.asp?RaceID=AU82

Allen

OK, now they understand!

Suffering cats! Allen I should have looked at your site first, I just never even suspected, how naïve of me, the absolute hide of it!

Chris thank you for that, I will pass that all onto Roger at Speed.

There are some good Ralt RT4 photos including photos with the bodywork removed on www.my105.com.au at the moment. There are three of them for sale at the moment.

2.5 Ralt-Hart/Hill RT4-82-157

This car ended up with first Patrick Wood and then Richard Williams. Richard had a shunt at Pembrey with the car and is currently looking at a rebuild. It is still fitted with the Hart 2.5 engine.

:)

Steve, could you find out if the owners have any back history on this car. Also, is the number given as 4-157-82? [This would be the format of a Bahner rebuild, original chassis number followed by date but 82 is probably too early for a Bahner.]
I've now found three RT4s built out of RT3s or RT30s, but an RT1 tub is something else. 82 would have to be the date of the conversion or the RT4 type they were attempting to build

Chris

Trying to trace what a group of early RT4s in NZ series in the late 80s might have been.
any information appreciated on the cars of
Peter Haskett
Stuart Murphy [81 spec cars in the 1986 series]

Richard Lester
Neil Allport
Charlie Thomasen [81 spec cars in the winter 87 series]
Steve Richards 82 spec car in that series

Also, in the 1985 series Rick Shea ran three cars for Tom Blackaller, Riley Hopkins and the Cameron brothers Grant and Rick [yes I know that's four drivers, the last three swapped between two cars]
Two of these cars may have stayed in NZ with Ken Smith, one probably in the constituent parts to which a Cameron had reduced it. [Probably chassis 284] Any idea what happened to these cars? Did anyone make any notes on these cars, or take any photos? Does anyone remember driving, or owning, an ex Shea RT4?

Chris

I've seen somewhere recently on her, or t'other place, details of the current Irish Libre scene. Seems there are a couple of RT4s there. Anyone know histories of these, are they ex-1980s UK cars, or imports?

I've seen somewhere recently on her, or t'other place, details of the current Irish Libre scene. Seems there are a couple of RT4s there. Anyone know histories of these, are they ex-1980s UK cars, or imports?

There's 1 RT4 driven by Ken Fildes (and sometimes also by his son Jonathan) and a Lant (RT4 South African convert) driven by Simon McKinley racing in Irish Formula Libre. Check out http://www.formulalibreireland.com/ where there are pictures etc. I'm sure if you sent an email someone would respond. Gorgeous cars.

After about three years I think it's time to break out the information on Ralt RT4s in the hope that someone can give me information on the gaps...

Ralt RT4s

1980 models

162 finished September 1979 used by Ray Mallock at Brands Atlantic race then sent to USA for testing. At this point the car has yellow bodywork. At Long Beach 1980 there are only two RT4s, and only two have actually been built by this point. Since Brabham has the newer car, 162 must, by default, be the car of Terry Knight, by which time it has red bodywork. Probably sold to Knight but remained largely unused. Sold to Eric Kerman Feb 83. Unknown since.

178 finished March 80 with black bodywork. Loaned by works to Psachie Racing for Geoff Brabham at Long Beach where it appears with red bodywork. Car then probably to Geoff Wood [with yellow bodywork] and used in 1980 North American series. Perhaps returned to works and taken to Australia prior to NZ Pacific series and destroyed in testing by John Smith [AS 15 Jan 81 p.50]

180 finished 30 June 80 red bodywork and delivered as a team car for Robertson's Ralt American operation. Does not appear before Long Beach 1981 when used as rental car by Joe Castellano. Probably a rental car elsewhere in 1981 including in SCCA finals for Peter Greenfield. REtained by Robertson 1982 and run as rental car for Frank Bramante [pro series] and Jeremy Hill [SCCA finals]. 1983 to Guy Revesz, [Chicago] retained to 1986 when for sale in OT and described as only 12 races. to James Burt 1987, then Bruce Poehlman, Les Mankowski 1989-91; Charles Warner and Derek Harling [1999-] Oldest known surviving RT4 that started life as an RT4...

185 finished 11 March 80 for David Leslie to run in British Atlantic series. 1981 David Duffield, retained to 1983 though some kind of deal allowed Ray Mallock to run the car in F2 in early 1982. 1984 James Stevenson in libre, then probably sold to USA and a strong candidate for the RT4/81 run by Michel Trombley at Sebring in 1988 [owned by Olney Marrs] Now believed to be in Florida

189 finished 20 June and sent to Robertson. Probably team car for Garvin Brown and not used until 1981, when raced by Danny Sullivan. Retained until 1982. Probably then sold to Bob Young (Colorado) to 1984, then to his mechanic Jon Evans.

199 finished 7 Aug for Alo Lawler. Raced in Atlantic series until end 83 then fitted with BMW engine and ran libre in 1984. To David Thompson for Australian F2 1985, Mark Potter 1989, Greg Doncovic 1991, Graham Mein 1998-

200 finished 9 Sept for Robertson. Debuts with Danny Sullivan as works car [dark blue body] at Montreal. Sold to David Oxton for 1981 NZ series, won championship. Sold mid 82 to Joey Cavaglieri [Van Nuys, California] unknown thereafter

1981 models

204 delivered Jan 81 to Lane Sports for Rogelio Rodriquez. 1982 to Rick Shea and retained as rental car until 1985

205 delivered Nov 80 to Dave McMillan for 1981 NZ series. Retained to 1983, winning 1982 US series, then to Mike Downs along with a Dart. For sale by Downs July 1985

209 Delivered Feb 81 to Lane Sports for Mike Rosen. Sold early 82 to Carlos Bobeda and run by him for Roberto Moreno at Long Beach. Retained 1983 and raced by Bobeda himself. Sold Sept 83 to Tom Ballantyne and build into C Sports Racer.

210 Delivered Feb 81 to Lane Sports for Norm Hunter. Sold late 81 to Tim Fortner and rented to Riley Hopkins for SCCA finals. Retained as rental car 82-84. 1985 to Phil Simon and retained until at least 1987

211 delivered Feb 81 to Jim Tulley for Whitney Ganz, used in pro series. Sold March 82 to Chris Bender [used in SCCA] Car burned out in trailer fire late 1982

212 delivered Feb 81 to Robertson, ostensibly for Jeff Wood, but deal fell through and probably eventually sold to John Connolly. For sale early 82 and unknown thereafter

213 delivered Feb 81 to Robertson as team car. Used by Geoff Brabham at Long Beach and intended for Cogan at Montreal [in the end he used new car] Probaby sold to Lane Sports as spare team car for 1982 and then to Rick Shea, retained to 1985 when badly damaged by Grant Campbell in NZ series. Remains sold to Ken Smith.

218 built Feb 81 for Ray Mallock to win 1981 British series, then taken to Macau. Sold to Colin Lees for 1982 Irish series, taken to Macau for Needell. 1983 to Ian Flux, then 84 Duncan Bain

219 delivered to Robertson late March 81 almost certainly for Allen Berg. History uncertain from end 81

227 delivered late May for Tim Coconis. Retained to May 84 then to Dale Lang, who retains the car to this day

228 to Whitney Ganz mid season as a second car. Ganz's spare in 1982, then to Rod Cusumano to 1984 and John Christian 1985

249 to Dan Marvin June 81 and used in pro series 81-82. Then used as hire car for Riley Hopkins 1983 and by Marvin in late season WCAR races. Then 1984 to Rick Lempe [Rick Sutherland] retained to at least 1987

252 to Tom Shelton mid 81 for SCCA and some pro races. Both Shelton cars for sale 1982 but this one retained and used by Steve Shelton to 1985 in SCCA and as display car. To Bill Wittkamper 1986-87

253 to Steve Shelton mid 81. For sale 1982 but perhaps not sold until 84. Then probably to John Clark [Herndon VA] and to Prather Racing for Freddy Rhemrev 1987

More to follow

From 1989 I have a 1.6 RT4 being driven by Steve Elmore in the British Sprint championship; any clues on which chassis this was?

:relax:

Does anyone know which Ralt Mark Pedersen used in the 89/90 summer series in New Zealand?

If so I know the next owner and I am 99% sure I know where the car went from there.

Are you sure about the date?
I don't have Pederson in an RT4 until 1992