Royale RP31
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Racing Preparations |
| Successor | Royale Racing llc |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Bob King |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Great Britain |
|
Key people
|
Rory Byrne Pat Symonds |
| Owner | Bob King (1968–1976) Alan Cornock (1976–1987) |
| Website | www |
Royale Race Cars was a British constructor of race cars in the 20th century. The company produced single seaters as well as sports cars.
Bob King had experience with the working on and selling of automobiles. When King acquired an Elva he had the intention to race the car himself. This evolved into preparing race cars for others. He founded Racing Preparations specializing in Coventry Climax engines. After the demand for Climax engines decreased King and business partner Alan Cornock decided to focus on constructing race cars. In 1968 King founded Royale, named after the Park Royal area in London. The first car was the RP1, RP for Racing Preparations. The car was designed by Bob Marston, a future designer for Lola Cars. The RP2 was the first production Royale of which 30 were built.
The RP2 had some success in the Brazilian Formula Ford championship. Ray Allen achieved a third place in the championship behind Emerson Fittipaldi and Ian Ashley both driving Lotuses. Royale introduced many new cars in 1970. Ray Allen dominated the newly found Formula F100 in a Royale RP4. Two Formula Atlantic RP8's were built. Chassis number 1 was driven by Ray Allen and Tony Lanfranchi in various Formula Libre races. At the end of the year the car was shipped of to America. The second chassis sold as a Formula 3 car to a German agent.
In 1971 Royale had a lot of success in the Formula Super Vee. Syd Williams, fielded by D.J. Bond Racing, won the first race of the German championship. Manfred Schurti and Manfred Trint scored a one-two finish for Royale during the final round of the championship. In the American championship Royale had even more success. Billy Scott won the championship winning four races. Royales were also driven by Ray Heppenstall among others. Tom Pryce debuted the RP11 during round 17 of the BRSCC British F3 championship. The Ford engined car did not finish the race after an accident.Val Musetti raced an RP11 at the Christmas Championship Trophy. The following year Pryce won the opening round of the BRSCC British F3.Ian Ashley scored a third-place finish in the opening round of the BRSCC North Central British F3. In Formula Super Vee, Manfred Schurti won four races and was placed first in the German championship. Scott won the American championship again in 1972 driving a Royale.Paul Dalton drove an RP5 in the SCCA Continental Championship for Formula B/C. But without major results. In the British Formula Atlantic championship Tom Pryce and Ray Allen drove a Royale RP12. The car received some good results. Pryce won one race and scored another podium finish. Ray Allen scored two podium finishes at Brands Hatch and Oulton Park. Royale also scored its first win at the prestigious SCCA National Championship Runoffs. William Holbrook won the C Sports Racer class in an RP4.
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