After giving a demonstration to a friend of his father on the 24th of December 1898 aspiring engineer Louis Renault sold his first 1hp Voiturette and founded Société Renault Frères with his brothers Marcel and Fernand who were experienced at running their fathers textile business.

Like many competitors Renault recognised the win on Sunday sell on Monday benefits of competing in the popular City to City races of the age and both Louis and Marcel would prove their companies products in such events.

Renault has recently recreated the nimble lightweight, 600 kg / 1322 lbs, Type K featured today as a tribute to the car Marcel drove in the 1902 Paris to Vienna road race in which he beat far more powerful opposition from Mercedes and Panhard to traverse the 1300 km / 800 mile often narrow steep alpine route at an average speed of 62.5 km/h / 38 mph.

Eric Leroux is seen driving the car, powered by a 30hp 5 litre / 302 cui 4 cylinder motor at last years Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Thanks for joining me on this “Nimble Lightweight” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at some of the action at the weekends “Oulton Park Gold Cup”. Don’t forget to come back now !