It was 1981. The model I think was a Turbo or Turbo II, it wasn't called a Le Car. It was based on the car Renault built for Ralley, and Jacquemart, who was the head of Renault Sport in US developed it for IMSA GTU. He was indeed killed in testing. The model was not legally sold in US, but some were brought in a federilized. There used to be one in my town.
They had previously run the R5/Le Car in IMSA Radial Sedan. Jacquemart had done well in that series, as had the Archer Brothers, who were dealers (I believe). Renault had paid support. There had also been a Le Car spec series.
The Turbo car was in a feature article in Car & Driver around that time (1981), which you should find if you have the interest in the car.
Cool little car. Mid-engine, the placement being in former rear seat area.
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