Frenchman Rene Arnoux raced for Renault from 1979 to 1982, before joining Ferrari for the 1983 season. Here he is seen at the 1983 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where he put his Ferrari on the pole next to teammate Tambay, but had to be satisfied with a 5th place finish. Photo: Ed McDonough
Heroes

Rene Arnoux

Rene Arnoux learned his trade the hard way, as he fought for the European Formula Two Championship against tough nuts like future Formula One World Champion Keke Rosberg, double Can-Am Champion Patrick Tambay, Indy 500 winners Danny Sullivan and Eddie Cheever, and FIA-GT Champion Klaus Ludwig. He got to within one point of his objective in Tico Martini’s MK19-Renault in 1976, winning at Pau, Enna, and Estoril, but lost the title by a single point to Jean-Pierre Jabouille.

But the little ex-mechanic from Grenoble, France, nailed the championship a year later in a Martini MK22-Renault with victories at Silverstone, Pau again and Nogaro, and taking three 2nds to win the title with 52 points to Cheever’s 40.

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Steve Natale has been playing with cars ever since he was old enough to first hold a matchbox car in his hand. A lifelong enthusiast of anything old with an engine in it or wheels on it, Steve has been active in the hobby for over 35 years. Currently he owns a successful marketing company with his wife Mary, is an automotive photographer, blogger and writer for several automotive magazines and regular contributor to various automotive websites. Steve has attended vintage car events and visited car museums and collections around the world.
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