Jean Ragnotti

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Jean Ragnotti bigraphy, stories - French racing driver

Jean Ragnotti : biography

29 August 1945 –

Jean "Jeannot" Ragnotti (born 29 August 1945 in Pernes-les-Fontaines, Vaucluse), is a French former rally driver for Renault in the World Rally Championship.

Ranking among his achievements are his conquering of the Monte Carlo Rally in 1981, what was the first turbo victory in the history of the WRC, alongside compatriot Jean-Marc Andrié against the might of the ultimate four-wheel-drive upstart, the Audi Quattro. In the following season, he took his Renault 5 Turbo to victory at the Tour de Corse. The Maxi version of the same Renault 5 was to reign again on the asphalt stages of European rallying, when in 1985, Ragnotti claimed the Tour de Corse again with Group B rallying at its zenith; a win that came on debut of Renault 5 Maxi Turbo. The 1985 Rothmans Tour de Corse would also prove to be a tragic affair after the fatal crash of Attilio Bettega on SS4 (Zerubia) of the event.

In the 1990s, Ragnotti continued to drive for Renault, this time in their front-wheel drive Clio Maxi.

WRC victories

 #  Event Season Co-driver Car
1 Monaco}} 49ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo 1981 Jean-Marc Andrié Renault 5 Turbo
2 France}} 26ème Tour de Corse – Rallye de France 1982 Jean-Marc Andrié Renault 5 Turbo
3 France}} 29ème Tour de Corse – Rallye de France 1985 Pierre Thimonier Renault 5 Maxi Turbo