Thanks everyone !
Yes, I race with Sovern (West coast USA)
Yes, that is a 'snorkel' for looking behind.
Over the Christmas break I'll take and share many more images.
This car has a really interesting history. It was the Renault Team race car. Walter Koopman driver.
History and story below from Walter Koopman.
A brief history:
Serial Number: 460504
This is perhaps the only works-supported Lotus Europa-Renault in North America, even more unusual as it was campaigned not by Lotus Racing but by Team Renault. It has a documented race history including running a 4th at the 1971 SCCA National at Watkins Glen.
In 1970 Renault had a solid sales footing in the US and was actively promoting an agressive performance image. The compeition director was Ocee Rich (a Seminole Indian) and he was interested in advancing Renault's performance image into road racing. He later was responsible for creating the SCCA Sports Renault (Spec Racer) class.
Walter Koopman, a well-known racer of French road racing cars (LeMans), approached Ocee about the possibility of preparing one of the new Lotus Renault Europas for SCCA competition. Ocee readily agreed, a support agreement was reached, with special engines and gearboxes being supplied by Team Renault.
With the budget from Team Renault, Walt made up a shopping list of just about every Renault and Europa tuning part available (and most of this collection is still with the car). Special assistance was provided from Renault with engine preparation and a special cam grind was done by Lunati along with competition head, rods and pistons from Gordini.
The car was painted in USA national racing colors, white with a blue center stripe. Prominent "Team Renault" logos with the Renault Diamond were painted on the rear "wings". The livery was dictated by Team Renault. Walt was also required to obtain an FIA license and list Team Renault as entrant, in order for Renault to be able to trumpet any track success.
The car's first outing was at an SCCA National at Watkins Glen. At this time the SCCA seemed determined to handicap Lotus cars, the history of the classification of the Lotus Seven being a perfect example. They did not intend making things easy on the Europa either and decided to classify it in D production, essentially a 3 litre class for things like Big Healeys and Alfas. The Europa acquitted itself well, however. To quote from "The Renault Guide", 1st Quarter 1972, Vol. 1, No. 1, a promotional publication by Renault USA, in "Team Renault News";
"Another Renault-powered machine, the Lotus-Europa driven by Walter Koopman, which entered the fray late in the season, demonstrated that it will be a contender by closing quickly from last in a field of 44 at Watkins Glen to Fourthâ
Walt remembers that his best result was a third at a Summit Point event, and the car was run a full season of Nationals and Regionals in 71/72. Outings also included Nelson, Bridgehampton, and Bryar. The car has tech stickers from the Glen and Summit Point in 1971 still in place.
