Champion Spark Plug Challenge! - Fasten your seatbelts...
Champion Spark Plug Challenge - IMSA
In 1983, Alliance models also competed in IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) events, in the "Racing Stock" category, reserved for front-wheel-drive cars under 2500cc. Brothers Tommy and Bobby Archer dominated the Champion Spark Plug Challenge, where their opponents included Toyota Tercel, Honda Accord, Civic and Prelude, Audi 4000 and VW Rabbit, as well as Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and other Oldsmobile models!
The Renault Jeep Sport competition department (based in the Detroit suburbs) handled the Archer brothers' Alliance/Encore cars (photo below).
The original 1400 engine block in their cars was fitted with the cylinder head from the Renault 5 Alpine, paired with a precise and quick race-specific gearbox. By shedding around 150kg and reworking the suspension, the result was a surprising combination. The engine produced 160 hp DIN at 8500 rpm compared to... 58 hp at 4200 rpm in the original version.
The Renault Jeep Sport competition department (based in the Detroit suburbs) handled the Archer brothers' Alliance/Encore cars (photo below).
The original 1400 engine block in their cars was fitted with the cylinder head from the Renault 5 Alpine, paired with a precise and quick race-specific gearbox. By shedding around 150kg and reworking the suspension, the result was a surprising combination. The engine produced 160 hp DIN at 8500 rpm compared to... 58 hp at 4200 rpm in the original version.
In 1983, Alliance models also competed in IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) events, in the "Racing Stock" category, reserved for front-wheel-drive cars under 2500cc. Brothers Tommy and Bobby Archer dominated the Champion Spark Plug Challenge, where their opponents included Toyota Tercel, Honda Accord, Civic and Prelude, Audi 4000 and VW Rabbit, as well as Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and other Oldsmobile models!
The Renault Jeep Sport competition department (based in the Detroit suburbs) handled the Archer brothers' Alliance/Encore cars (photo below).
The original 1400 engine block in their cars was fitted with the cylinder head from the Renault 5 Alpine, paired with a precise and quick race-specific gearbox. By shedding around 150kg and reworking the suspension, the result was a surprising combination. The engine produced 160 hp DIN at 8500 rpm compared to... 58 hp at 4200 rpm in the original version.
The Renault Jeep Sport competition department (based in the Detroit suburbs) handled the Archer brothers' Alliance/Encore cars (photo below).
The original 1400 engine block in their cars was fitted with the cylinder head from the Renault 5 Alpine, paired with a precise and quick race-specific gearbox. By shedding around 150kg and reworking the suspension, the result was a surprising combination. The engine produced 160 hp DIN at 8500 rpm compared to... 58 hp at 4200 rpm in the original version.
Drivers
- Tommy Archer
- Bobby Archer
- James Reeve (#52)
- Catherine Kizer (#2)
- Doug Peterson (#62)
Official Renault photos
Events
Spark Plug Challenge 1983
Daytona (FL) 1983/02/05-06
Sebring (FL) 1983/03/??
Gainesville (GA) 1983/04/??
Riverside (CA) 1983/04/??
Monterey (CA) 1983/05/??
Harrisburg (NC) 1983/05/??
Detroit (MI) 1983/06/05
Lexington (OH) 1983/06/??
Brainerd (MN) 1983/07/??
Sonoma (CA) 1983/07/??
Portland (OR) 1983/07/31
(GI Joe's Grand Prix)
Elkhart LK (WI) 1983/08/??
MT Pocono (PA) 1983/09/??
Daytona (FL) 1983/11/??
Spark Plug Challenge 1984
Daytona 1984/02/05
Mid-Ohio 1984/06/09
Detroit 1984/06/24
Road Atlanta 1984/08/04-06
Michigan International 1984/09/14-16
Watkins Glen 1984/09/28-30
Daytona 1984/11/24-25
Spark Plug Challenge 1985
Road Atlanta 1985/04/11-13
Columbus 1985/10/4-6
Spark Plug Challenge 1986
Lime Rock 1986/05/23-26
Charlotte 1986/05/16-18
*** 1983 DAYTONA - DAYTONA BEACH - Florida (06 Fev 1983) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1983 MID-OHIO (2 hours) - LEXINGTON - OHIO (17-18-19 Juin 1983) - Copyright ©Mark Windecker & ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1983 DETROIT - DETROIT - Michigan (05 Juin 1983) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1983 Portland International Raceway - GI Joe's Grand Prix (31 Juillet 1983) ***
*** 1984 DAYTONA (3-HOUR) - DAYTONA BEACH - FLORIDA (04-05 Fevrier 1984) - Copyright ©Mark Windecker ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1984 ROAD ATLANTA (3 hours) - BRASELTON - GEORGIA (04-06 Aout 1984) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1984 MID-OHIO (2 hours) - LEXINGTON - OHIO (09 Juin 1984) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1984 DETROIT - DETROIT - MICHIGAN (24 Juin 1984) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1984 Michigan MIS (100km) - BROOKLYN - MICHIGAN (14-16 Sept 1984) - Copyright ©Mark Windecker & ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1984 DAYTONA (3-HOUR) - DAYTONA BEACH - FLORIDA (24-25 Nov 1984) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1984 WATKINS GLEN (150km) - WATKINS GLEN - NEW YORK (28-30 Sept 1984) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt***
*** 1985 ROAD ATLANTA (3 hours) - BRASELTON - GEORGIA (11-13 Avril 1985) - ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1985 - COLUMBUS - COLUMBUS - OHIO (04-06 Juin 1985) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1986 - LIME ROCK - LAKEVILLE - CONNECTICUT (23-26 Mai 1986) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1986 - CHARLOTTE (100km) - CONCORD - NORTH CAROLINA (16-18 Mai 1986) - Copyright ©Geoffrey Hewitt ***
*** 1986 ROAD ATLANTA (3 hours) - BRASELTON - GEORGIA ***
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