About René Villeneuve

Born in the US with strong family ties in Canada. 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 total stranger and his family, 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. Unbelievably, my parents agreed to allow me to go in to see the race with complete strangers. I watched my first race ever from great seats across from the swimming pool section, an internationally famous spot seen in the 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 I even passed by a few drivers – what a thrill! It was that day I decided I wanted – need to go racing…

The first step for anyone who wants to start racing is to attend a racing school. René chose the Spenard-David racing school in Canada, a decision influenced by the school’s reputation and its chief instructor, Richard Spenard. Spenard, a highly respected racer, had been a teammate to Gilles Villeneuve in Formula Atlantic, bringing a wealth of experience and credibility to the school. Under Spenard’s guidance, René honed his driving skills, learning the fundamentals of racecraft, car control, and the mental discipline required to compete at a high level.

Around this same time, René met a young John Stamos, and the two became fast friends. John, already making a name for himself in the entertainment industry, had a deep passion for music, particularly playing the drums. Through his musical interests, John became friendly with the Beach Boys and eventually started performing with them on tour.

As René pursued his dream of racing, he faced the financial challenges that come with the sport. The costs of training, equipment, and travel quickly added up, making it necessary for him to find a reliable source of income that still allowed him the flexibility to focus on his racing career. Through his friendship with Stamos and his growing network in the music industry, René landed a job with the Beach Boys as a stage manager. This role provided him with a steady income and the ability to take time off when needed for his racing commitments.

Working with the Beach Boys was an adventure in itself. René traveled extensively, setting up and managing stage operations for one of the most iconic bands in history. He experienced life on the road, the excitement of live performances, and the camaraderie of a touring crew. At the same time, he remained dedicated to his racing ambitions, using every available opportunity to get behind the wheel and improve his craft.

Balancing the fast-paced world of rock and roll with the precision and discipline of motorsport was no easy feat. But René’s determination and resourcefulness allowed him to excel in both realms. His time with the Beach Boys not only provided financial stability but also exposed him to high-pressure environments, which proved invaluable in his racing career. Over time, René’s hard work and dedication began to pay off as he progressed through the ranks, earning recognition for his skills on the track.

René’s story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the pursuit of passion. Whether managing a world-famous band’s stage setup or pushing the limits on the racetrack, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his dreams, setting the foundation for an inspiring journey in motorsports.

René’s passion for motorsports took him to Japan, where he competed in the FJ1600 series with Kato Gumi Racing. A successful half season in the junior formula, led to an opportunity to test in Japanese Formula 3, marking the start of his international racing career. The experiences gave René valueble exposure and a strong foundation for future endevours.

In 1996 and 1997 René competed in the Speedvision Cup 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 traded the music industry for 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 background in the music industry gave him the ability to manage programs and coordinate people.

In 1999, René competed for the first time in the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona in a Corvette C5-R. During the 2000’s, René competed in various events sportscar events including the Speed vision Cup, Koni Challenge and 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 in partnership with Alex Roy to infamous record setting coast to coast driver. Alex was a phenom, not only as a road rally driver but also a pioneer of social media content. That helped increase the visibility of the racing team. “It was a lot of fun seeing the crossover of Alex Roy fans and sportscar racing fans!”In 1999, René competed for the first time in the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona in a Corvette C5-R. During the 2000’s, René competed in various events sportscar events including the Speed vision Cup, Koni Challenge and 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 in partnership with Alex Roy to infamous record setting coast to coast driver. Alex was a phenom, not only as a road rally driver but also a pioneer of social media content. That helped increase the visibility of the racing team. “It was a lot of fun seeing the crossover of Alex Roy fans and sportscar racing fans!”

In 2010, a switch to the American Le Mans 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 by far the best racing car I’ve driven. It was just a blast to drive!” In 2012, a return to Porsche and the GTC Class with GMG Racing earned René his second ALMS podium at Laguna Seca.