Year: 1976
Make: Ralt
Model: RT1
Type: Formula Atlantic
Color: Red
Chassis#: RT1-34
Engine: 1.6 liter Cosworth BDA
History:
The Ralt racing car company was founded by engineer Ron Tauranac after he left the Brabham Formula One team. The name Ralt comes from Ron and his brother Austin Lewis. Ron, Austin Lewis Tauranac (Ralt). The RT1 was their first racing car and it was enormously successful. It was entered in Formula two, Formula 3, Formula Atlantic, and Formula Super Vee. In the Formula Atlantic category, the RT1 managed to amass 15 different championships. Making it one of the most successful single seater racing cars in that category. The Ralt RT1 were driven by some the greatest drivers of that age. Bobby Rahal, Elio de Angelis, Derek Warwick, Nelson Piquet who went on to race in Formula One.
This car has a documented history from new outlined in an extensive Dossier written by historian Chris Townsend. With race results, period race photos, quotes from the drivers, and ownership to the present. It was raced by Richard Spenard, Tom Gloy, Rogelio Rodrigues, and Howdy Holmes in period. It was raced in the Players Atlantic Championship, the Labatt Challenge, the SCCA, and the Mamiya Formula Atlantic Championship. This included the great circuits of Trois Rivieres and Long Beach. In recent years it has been raced in historic racing events in the USA.
Description:
The RT1 used a monocoque chassis, covered in a fiberglass body. It was very light, weighing only 1,100 lb. Power is from a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder Cosworth BDA engine generating 241hp, which drove the rear wheels via a Hewland FT200 5-speed gearbox. This car has a BDA engine which was rebuilt in October of 2022 by FG3 Performance engines in Indianapolis at a cost of $34,997.30. It has had low use since. It was inspected by Competition Touring cars and in August of 2026 where a compression and leak down test and other safety checks were done. The gearbox inspected, the car started. The seat belts are current, but it is due for the fire system to be recharged.
Race eligibility - with the new A to V race series on the west coast which is running the Atlantic cars this car represents an opportunity to take part at some of the great circuits.
Of Note:
RT1-34 comes with a dossier documenting its ownership and race history. A recent inspection by a Debourtop-level race shop. A low time engine and a solid gearbox. It would take very little to have this great car back on track.
Included:
Logbooks
If you have questions about a car or would like to know more about our services, feel free to contact us:
(858) 459-3500
