Le Mans Classic – Rondeau returns to the track

The Jean Rondeau Association, made up of former members of the artisan-driver's team, decided last winter to restore the beauty to its proud former appearance. "What we want is to race this M382. It's nice to see it in a museum, but people want to see historic cars on a circuit," explained Philippe Beloou, technical manager at the time and now vice-president of the association and technical coordinator of the restoration project, last November. This desire has now led to a return, the beginning of a second life.

Build a competitive racing car with local resources (mainly in Sarthe) and participate in 24 Hours of Le Mans, without aiming for immediate victory, this was the initial bet of Jean Rondeau and the handful of enthusiasts who were at his side in the mid-70s. Inaltera, a wallpaper manufacturer, financially supported Rondeau's project via its director Charles James (who passed away on December 24, 2024 at the age of 87). The first results were already excellent (8th in 1976, 4th in 1977 and victory in GTP each time). Rondeau persisted, soon creating prototypes under his own name. The M378 (from 1978), then M379, M379B and M379C (respectively appeared in 1979, 1980 and 1981) were the expression of the visionary.

In the Rondeau workshops, a lot was done with little. Victory at the 24 1980 Hours of Le Mans marked his consecration, but also initiated a new era: disappointed at not winning his local race again in 1981, Jean Rondeau decided to develop customer racing. Inspired by Lola with its T600, he launched the M382, which he entered in his name in the World Championship.Endurance (WEC), and which was also offered to independent teams. "Drivers brought budgets to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which brought in money, but the cars raced under the Rondeau name. With the M382, we started selling chassis, the first two to the United States, and the third (#003) to Christian Bussi, in France," explains Hubert Rohée, the president of the association.

This chassis #003 is thus the illustration of the expansion of Jean Rondeau's business with five participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, never under the official label: 15th place in 1982 with the Bussi Team, Christian Bussi then being accompanied by the Belgians Pascal Witmeur and Bernard de Dryver. In 1983, 19th place for the Belgian trio Daniel Herregods, Jean-Paul Libert and Pascal Witmeur. A retirement in 1984 (accelerator problem), then a second in 1986 (oil pressure) frame the 18th place in 1985 with three Frenchmen (Bruno Sotty, Jean-Claude Justice and Patrick Oudet).

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Embodying the Rondeau spirit

How did this car end up in the hands of the Jean Rondeau Association today? After the owner's death in late 1985 following a traffic accident at a level crossing, relatives came together to perpetuate his memory. The Sarthe department was approached, as were patrons, to acquire a car and preserve it. This was #003.

On display in the museum for nearly forty years, this Rondeau has been pampered. Its excellent, if not remarkable, state of preservation convinced the association's members to launch the operation.

“Charles James and Marjorie Brosse, Rondeau’s iconic assistant, approached the team veterans and myself in 2023 to take up the torch,” explains Hubert Rohée. “We thought about what we could do to perpetuate the Rondeau spirit. Entering the car in racing was a no-brainer.” The first step was to find a block to graft into the Group C. Logically, they turned to the well-known Ford Cosworth DFL V8. “Installing a DFL engine, identical to the original, is the choice to guarantee authenticity and performance,” confides Hubert Rohée. This engine, currently undergoing overhaul, has been replaced for this first appearance at Le Mans Classic by a 3,5-liter DFZ. “It was a big challenge to get back to work. A bit like when we designed and assembled the Inaltera back in the day. We did everything in 200 days.” The team of volunteers spent around 3 hours on the car." That's the Rondeau spirit!

Passing on a rolling heritage

With the number 80 on the sides, a nod to the year of the victory, this M382 sports a unique livery, which borders on street art. An idea to catch the eye, anchor this return to the track in the present, and look to tomorrow.

"In the 1980s, the car received several liveries. It was complicated to choose one. We remembered that we were then in the art car period (decorating a car with a livery signed by an artist, which we owe to Hervé Poulain. Editor's note). We wanted to give a young artist a chance and create the first Rondeau art car." This is how Tiziano took charge of the blue and white livery, with clouds, to evoke "those who wanted to touch the sky." The artist accompanied his work with a text, read at the beginning of June during the presentation of the car, which moved those present. "The drawing does not decorate it. It extends it. It speaks of speed, of fall, of momentum... It is what we keep when the noise dies down."

The restored Rondeau is intended as a tool for teaching. An agreement was signed with the Lycée Le Mans Sud to involve BTS and Terminale students. Its revival at the Technoparc serves as a subject of study. The idea is to train younger students and entrust them with the Rondeau spirit. "Working on a racing car isn't just about mechanics, bodywork, or plastics. You also have to keep deadlines in mind and constantly seek solutions," explains Hubert Rohée.

From July 3rd to 6th, two drivers from Sarthe will take the wheel: Nicolas Beloou (son of Philippe Beloou) and Bastien Brière (four participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans). The Rondeau could return afterward, on track or elsewhere. "There will be projects, but we're all over 70. So, we're counting on the youngsters," Hubert Rohée adds. The transmission is underway.