POWERTRAIN
expertise – Raphaël has done a lot of winning.‘ I was an engine engineer working for a company in France, developing an engine for the Renault Lagunas that were run, prepared, developed by Williams Touring Cars. So, in 1996 and in 1997, I must have come to the UK between 40 and 50 times per year.’ A Williams Renault won four BTCC races in 1996 with Alain Menu driving. Menu then took the drivers’ championship in 1997 in a Laguna, and Renault won the constructors’ title too.‘ Then I came to work in the UK for a company called 888 Race Engineering, who was Vauxhall BTCC racing.’ From 2001 to 2009, when Raphaël was with 888, Vauxhall won the manufacturers’ title eight times, and it powered six drivers to championship wins.
Summer 2026 The Engine Rebuilder 45