About René Villeneuve
At the world-famous Monaco circuit in Monte Carlo, René first knew he had a burning desire to race. While living in France, a trip just a few kilometers from home to Monaco for the legendary Grand Prix cast the spell.
A Fateful Encounter
René’s family couldn’t afford tickets to the race, yet they headed there. While catching a glimpse of the cars, a man and his family offered him an extra ticket, sensing his desire. Watching his first race from the swimming pool area, it was that day René decided he wanted to go racing.
Pursuing the Dream
Born in the US with strong family roots in Canada, René grew up in the USA, Canada, and France. Following his dream, he started racing in 1987 and attended the Spenard-David Racing School in Canada.
Racing Achievements
In 1999, René competed in his first 24 Hours of Daytona race. Since then, René has driven in the Rolex Grand-Am Series and the IMSA American Le Mans Series, driving a Porsche GT3 Cup car for TRG and 911Designs in the GTC Class, earning his first podium finish at his home race track, Laguna Seca. In 2011, René drove an LMPC car for PR1 Motorsports. In 2012, René returned to the GTC Class with GMG and earned his second ALMS GTC Class podium at Laguna Seca.
Bio
It was at the world famous Monaco circuit in Monte Carlo that René first knew he had the burning desire to race. While living in France, a trip a few kilometers from home to Monaco for the legendary Grand Prix cast the spell. “My family wasn’t able to afford tickets to the race but we headed there anyway – I felt something pulling me there. While catching just a glimpse of the cars going up the hill towards Casino Square.
During a morning warm-up, a man and his family, possibly sensing my desire, walked up to me and offered me an extra ticket. He said he wanted to give it to a boy who would really be thrilled to see the race. I watched my first race ever from great seats across from the swimming pool internationally famous for being seen in the many yearly television broadcasts of the race. After the race I returned to my family and we were able to see all the cars up close as they left the circuit – what a thrill”! “It was that day I decided I wanted – needed – to go racing…”
While with The Beach Boys an opportunity came up to go to Japan to compete in FF1600 with Kato Gumi Racing. A half season in the “junior” formula class led to a Japanese Formula 3 test and a subsequent races. They were great experiences and exposure for René.
After returning to the U.S. a golden opportunity lead René to endurance racing. In 1996 and 1997 the Speedvision Cup was the arena in which he competed with T.C. Kline Racing in a BMW M3. It was during this time that René was truly able to call driving his career, as he found a job as a driver doing “Ride and Drives” for various auto manufacturers and has since worked for nearly every car company as a driver or facilitator. His production experience gained while in the music business has been very helpful in implementing programs and managing people.
In 1999, René competed for the first time in the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona in a Corvette C5-R. In 2001 and 2002 René competed in various events in the Speed World Challenge Series. 2009 saw a return to sportscars and a second visit to Daytona in the Grand-Am Rolex Series, driving for TRG and the Team Polizei 144 car. In 2010, a switch to the American LeMans Series driving a Porsche GT3 Cup car for TRG and 911 Designs, resulted in René’s first podium finish in ALMS. In 2011 René drove an LMPC car for PR1 Motorsports and thoroughly enjoyed competing in a prototype. “That was far the best racing car I’ve driven. It was just a blast to drive!”. In 2012 a return a Porsche and the GTC Class with GMG Racing, earned Rene is second ALMS Podium at Laguna Seca.
Travel takes him away but René always makes to most of his time at home. “There’s always things to catch up on around the house plus I have a few hobbies I like to find time for including playing hockey. It’s the only other sport I’m as passionate about as motor racing. I was never a big guy but if I had been perhaps I would not have chosen to become a racing driver. I think I would have worked a little harder at other sports. Who knows what would have happened.”