RAC British Grand Prix - - -See BRITISH GRAND PRIX.
Race numbers - - -Each Formula One car must carry the number published by the FIA at the start of a season. This number must appear on the side and nose of the car and be at least 250mm in height, so as to be clearly visible. Looking at a modern F1 car it is difficult to believe that this rule is still included, but it is! The teams keep the same race numbers from season to season, except that the championship winning driver gets the number 1 on his car and his teammate, number 2. The team which gives up the numbers 1 and 2 take the numbers previously used by the champion driver’s team.
Race Stewards - - -FIA-appointed race officials responsible for the reviewing of on-track events during a Grand Prix weekend involving teams and drivers and, where necessary, assessing penalties.
Racing weight - - -The weight of an F1 car in race trim with driver installed and fuel tank full. Minimum weight is currently set at 600kg.
Reconnaissance lap - - -Thirty minutes before the scheduled start of a Grand Prix, the cars leave the pits and cover a single reconnaissance lap. At the end of the lap, they are aligned on the STARTING GRID in qualifying order. Those drivers who wish to cover a second reconnaissance lap must travel down the pit lane at greatly reduced speed, and may not in any circumstances drive through the STARTING GRID.
Red flag - - -Shown at the start-finish line and simultaneously at the marshals' posts when the decision has been taken to stop the race.
Refuelling rig - - -Specially designed piping apparatus designed to safely refuel cars during pit stops. See FUEL TANK FILLERS.
Reims - - -City northeast of Paris, home of the first two FRENCH GRAND PRIX races (1950-51) and 10 others (1953-56, 1958-61, 1963, 1966). The triangular track was 8.3 km in length in its most common configuration.
Renault - - -French car and commercial vehicle manufacturer with a strong motorsport heritage. First entered Formula One in 1977, and is credited with introducing the turbocharged engine to the sport. Renault chassis/engine combinations scored 15 Grand Prix victories between 1979 and 1983.
Renault Sport - - -V10 engines designed and manufactured by Renault Sport powered 75 Grand Prix winners between 1989 and the beginning of the 1999 Formula One season, accounting for six World Constructors' Championships (Williams in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997, and Benetton in 1995). The engines were passed on to Mecachrome and raced as such when Renault officially withdrew. They are now called Supertec when used by BAR and Williams, Playlife when used by Benetton and Renault when talked about by motor racing fans.
Renta_driver - - -Driver who brings enough sponsorship to a team to allow him to drive. Please see MINARDI, ARROWS for more information.
Repsol - - -Spanish-based oil and lubricants supplier and sponsor of the ARROWS team in 1999.
Reynard, Adrian - - -A successful racing driver in his own right, Adrian Reynard turned his engineering skills to the business of designing and building race cars with devastating effect. Founded Reynard Racing Cars in 1977, and with long-time partner, RICK GORNE, turned the company into one of the most successful constructors of the last 20 years. Reynard now launches into Formula One as Technical Director of BRITISH AMERICAN RACING.
Reynard Racing Cars - - -Founded in 1977 by Adrian Reynard, Reynard Racing Cars has designed and built competition vehicles that have been hugely successful in a wide range of motor racing formulae.
Richards, Dave - - -Chief Executive of the BENETTON FORMULA racing team from September 1997 to October 1998. A former rally co-driver, he created the highly successful motorsport engineering consultancy, Prodrive, in 1986.
Riverside - - -California city, east of Los Angeles, site of the second running of the UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX in 1960. The race, won by Britain's STIRLING MOSS in a LOTUS, was run on a 5.27-km track.
Rollover structures - - -Currently, every F1 car must have two rollover structures (rollbars) that stand above a reference plane (higher than the driver's head). The first must be in front of the steering wheel, but no more than 25cm forward of the top of the steering wheel. The second must be positioned behind the driver, and at least 94cm above the reference plane. Both rollover structures must be designed and fabricated in such a way that the driver and his steering wheel are at least 70mm below their highest points at all times.
Rouen - - -Major centre in northwestern France, site of five editions of the FRENCH GRAND PRIX (1952, 1957, 1962, 1964 and 1968). The circuit varied between 5.1 km and 6.542 km in length.