\u201cIn 1980, I had the chance to drive a brand-new R5 Turbo,\u201d Christophe Guerin says, \u201cand it was such a thrill that I got hooked.\u201d<\/p>\n
That encounter, when he was 20, eventually led Guerin back to the Renault 5 Turbo 2 later in life. He certainly grew up in the right part of the world in order to become a car enthusiast: France.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was born in Le Mans, 15 minutes away from the legendary circuit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans,\u201d Guerin says. \u201cMy father worked at the Renault factory in Le Mans, and he was a handyman, so he gave me his passion for mechanics and repairs.\u201d<\/p>\n
What began as studies in a technical college led to wrenching for local rally teams, learning from the masters, and seeing what made cars fast. But a love for the tiny Renault never faded. Finally, after years, he asked a friend to find a good one to buy. \u201cI need one,\u201d he said, \u201cFind a pristine one for me, and make sure it\u2019s red.\u201d<\/p>\n
As it happens, the car he calls his \u201ctreat\u201d was about to enter his life for good.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I saw it coming, it was\u2026I almost dropped to my knees,\u201d he says. \u201cThat sound\u2014you can\u2019t forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n