LE MANS miniatures Rondeau M379C Le Mans 1981

Choose a version :

• N°8 : Jacky Haran & Philippe Streiff & Jean-Louis Schlesser
  2nd place
• N°7 : François Migault & Gordon Spice
  3rd place

Specifications :

• Body : polyurethan resin
• New injected chassis plate
• Sidewider motor mount
• New rear aluminum turned rims
• New pick-up & braids
• Slot.it axles and crown
• Included Slot.it sidewinder spur gear (ref. GS1832-PI)
• Weight : 99 g

In 1981, Rondeau aligns 5 cars. Never Renault, nor Matra had aligned such a staff. The victory of 1980 and the throw-in of the title without knowing Porsche’s intentions motivate the team.

Between 1979 and 1981 the genealogy of the lineage of M379 is difficult to establish because each model M379 A, B or C always kept a family resemblance. They are almost always half novelties as they are often made of 75% and sometimes even much fewer, of parts from a model which preceded it. Indeed we can consider Rondeau as precursor of the recycling regarding construction and renewal of its equipment.

The modification brought to cars are based on three points: improvement of the general reliability, a bigger ease and especially speed of handling in all the operations in the pit and the search for a  higher top speed. This is translated by a new rear hood with complete wing replacing both separated “flaps” from 1980.

The brand “Otis” entered cars numbers 24 and 7 to promote this year a 24/24 hrs and 7/7 days service for lifts repairs.

Despite the engine Cosworth 3.3 litres and the use of qualifying tires, neither the Pescarolo-Tambay team in M379C car number 24, nor Rondeau-Jaussaud team in car number 26 were not able to prevent Porsche from taking the first three places on the starting grid. The last Rondeau M379C car number 25 driven by Ragnotti-Lafosse takes the 6th line. Regarding M379 VL car number 7 and 8, they are respectively on the 8th and 14th line at start.

From the 9th lap that is around 30 minutes after the start, car number 26 of Pescarolo stops into the pits and restarts only 82’ later. A short time at once thanks to the refueling pit stop car number 24 takes the head of the race.

The 2nd hour racing is marked by the tragic accident of Thierry Boutsen in WM P81 car number 82 who comes through but that kills one Marshall and injures two.

The 3rd hour racing is also tragic. Jean-Louis Lafosse driven car number 25, while he was going to end his relay and while he points in 7th position, is brutally sent on the right, the car strikes the security rail and ends in the middle of the track after bounced on the crash barrier killing instantly the driver.

From the 4th hour, Porsche car number 11 of Ickx-Bell team takes the lead to leave it not more. The Rondeau M379CL car number 7 of Spice-Migault points in 2nd position, one complete lap behind.

In the beginning of night, after numerous stops to try to solve gas pump troubles affecting the new Cosworth of Rondeau car number 26, Pescarolo is forced to retire.

Then it's the turn of car number 24, winner car of 1980, of RondeauJaussaud to give up while they are 73 laps behind the leaders.

On the other hand, 2 GTP car numbers 7 and 8 maintain the speed rhythm during the night. If “Otis” oscillates between the 2nd and the 3rd position, the Automobile takes the 5th position and confirms the ascendancy of Rondeau M379CL on the group and compensates for the disaster of the three sports versions.

At mid-race it remains only 34 cars on the 55 entered. The Automobile car number 8 reaches the 3rd position for the 7th hour racing. It sometimes takes back the 2nd place to replace Otis car number 7 when it stops to solve some ignition problems. The final positions already appear during the 16th hour racing. Rondeau cars become untouchable despite, in the morning, one puncture and some worries about the front left ball bearing for car number which ends the race 2nd in front of car number 7, five laps behind.

With a new victory in the category, matched with a second place in the distance (the best result never got by a GTP), the Rondeau, built in 1979 scored its third finish in three outings in the Sarthe, proof of its reliability  and excellent build quality.