Maggie Anderson (Dervaig, Isle of Mull), winner of the first ever Renault 5 TL race in Britain on 31st March 1974, has confirmed her entry into the Renault ELF 5 Celebration Race which is to be held at Thruxton, Hampshire, at the end of May.
Anderson, who now goes by her married surname of Loynd, is excited at the prospect of racing a Renault 5 once again and having renewed her racing licence all she needs now is the loan of some overalls!
Commenting on the historic race, Maggie said: “This is all fantastic stuff and as long as I can source a car I’ll be taking part in the anniversary race. It’ll be a rather nice twist of fate, actually, as I borrowed my first race car from Renault in the 1970s but also had to borrow the helmet and overalls. This time round I’m having to try and do the same again – it’s gone full circle!”
Having won the first ever Renault 5 TL race, held at Brands Hatch in Kent 30 years ago, the anniversary celebration will be particularly poignant for Anderson and she’s looking forward to meeting with some of her fellow ex-Renault 5 rivals.
Celebration race organiser Simon North is confident a grid of at least 20 cars, comprising Renault 5 TS and Renault 5 GT Turbo models, will take part in the Renault ELF 5 Celebration Race with other famous participants including multiple Renault 5 TL Champion Neil McGrath and 1987 Renault 5 GT Turbo Champion Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams.
Anderson continued: “It’s going to be great fun racing a Renault 5 again and it’ll be lovely to meet with some of the people I used to race against all those years ago – if I can recognise any of them! I don’t think I ever raced at Thruxton before so it’ll be a real experience. This is a lovely way of celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original race and I’m delighted to be a part of it.”
The Renault ELF 5 Celebration Race will form part of a special Renault Festival on 29th/30th May at Thruxton, the event also incorporating races from Formula Renault UK, the ELF/BTE Lawline Renault Clio Cup, Ginettas and the International Truck Challenge.
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