royal rp24
It is amazing to come across this conversation about the rp24 that was purchased by Stuart Veitch (jubilee race hire) back in 1977. I was one of the drivers of that car, painted in McLarin orange. Stuart had an rp21 that he had raced ( and often crashed) in 1976 and he began his race hire business because he was going broke fixing the rp21 all the time. I started out driving the rp21 but never felt good or secure in it. When the rp24 came along, everthing changed. I loved that car and found it much easier to drive fast. It may have been because of its understeer characteristics that I felt safer in it but whatever the reason, I ran in the Dulap "star of tomorrow" series and various other races that year. I remember a Brazilian who also used the rp24 and how he crashed it on saturday when I was supposed to drive it on Sunday. I assumed that I had lost my ride but went to Malory to watch the racing anyway. When I arrived around 10pm Saturday night, there was Stuart working away to rebuild the car for me. Being unprepared to race, I had to borrow a helmet and driving suit but I had a great race and the car performed beautifully. My best result in the Royal was a second at Snetterton. The following year Stuart switched to Crossle formula fords which explains the change in ownership. I went on to buy a Van Diemen for the 1978 season so my affair with Royal ended but I am thankful for the rp24 which gave me a lot of confidence that I never would have had in the rp21. I hope you guys enjoy the car as much as I did. Cheers.
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