2009 Youngtimer Division II Champion Randall Lawson Prepares for Upcoming Race Season
- Apr 12, 2010
Lawson is the founder of the successful race team, Equipe Jaronn, which has been tearing up the tracks across Europe since 2000 but didn't start racing under that name until 2006 when the team competed in the Dutch Youngtimer Touring Car Challenge. "This historic race series is for cars from the sixties until late eighties. We made the decision to race with an unusual car, our Renault Alpine A310 V6, which was not intended as a circuit racer, but as a rally car. We took up the challenge and created a circuit winner," says Lawson. Today, the Renault Alpine competes against the likes of BMW M3 E30 series, DeTomaso Panteras, Porsche 911 Carreras and Ford Escort MKIs and still manages to win races and take podium places. "In 2006, 2007, and 2009, our team became champions in the Division II which includes racecars from 1976-1981," says Lawson.
Made in 1979, the Renault Alpine is one of only a few that has raced on the tracks in Europe. "As far as we know, there are only a handful of these cars in competition use in the world. Ours is not a car you often see. It is difficult to drive as it was never meant to race on a track, but it is also a lot of fun. With only 220bhp and 1000kg weight, you must drive it smoothly if you want to go fast. That's what people say I'm good at. Racing for me is only for fun, but of course it is nice to be a champion. I find that it's more important that after a race weekend, we can say that we had a lot of laughs. If you never take it too seriously, good results will come to you," says Lawson. His team outfits the Renault exclusively with K&N products. "One thing we absolutely can't do without is the best material on our car. Our team uses only the best stuff and after several tests, K&N provided us with the best air filter. Our V6 engine is in the back of the car and it's a very hot place. Our Weber carburetors need lots of air and K&N made the only filter which worked to our satisfaction," says Lawson. "The engine produced an extra 8bhp and that's a bonus, of course!" Lawson and his team are preparing for the upcoming season and will run four cars, two Alpines and two BMW M3 E30s. They look like the Renault Alpine team to beat this year, not only in the Netherlands, but in Europe as a whole. "Of course, we are going for podium finishes again this season in races at Assen, Spa Francorchamps, Zolder, Zandvoort, Nurburgring and Le Mans. We are also planning to race a second Alpine that we are currently testing. It will also have K&N air filters," says Lawson. Ron Kluit, famous Dutch Touring Car driver of the European Touring Car Championships in the late seventies will be behind the wheel of the second car. "He's a worthy opponent and I will have to work even harder just to beat my teammate. That is going to be so much fun!" says Lawson. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
