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.

[Chris Townsend]

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

[Dan Rear]

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.

[Jeremy Jackson]

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.

[Chris Townsend]

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.

[Dan Rear]

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.

[Chris Townsend]

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!

[David McKinney]

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...

[David McKinney]

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

[Bryan Miller]

Creasy's RT4 confirmed at #279.

[Chris Townsend]

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?

[Bryan Miller]

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.

[dereklola]

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.

[dereklola]

Charlie's 'ad' for the car, when I bought it is at http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/ral...0/rt4180ss.htm

[flightlessbird]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

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

[cavvy]

Where did they all come from.

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

[Pete Brennan]

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.

[Andrew Fellowes]

The lower half of the grid!!!

[Andrew Fellowes]

Photo Credit to John Gale

[Andrew Fellowes]

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.....?)

[Andrew Fellowes]

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

[Pete Brennan]

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

[cavvy]

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.

[Chris Townsend]

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