The Realpha, also known as RE, was a Rhodesian Formula Oneracing car. The car was built by Ray Reed at his base in Gwelo, and was structurally based on a Cooper.[1] Like many South African home-built Formula One cars of the time, it was fitted with an Alfa Romeo Giulietta engine.[2]
Under the "Ray's Engineering" banner, Reed entered the car in the non-championship Rand Grand Prix Formula One event in South Africa in late 1964, but retired due to an engine failure during the first heat. He also entered the 1965 South African Grand Prix,[2] but the entry was withdrawn before the race when Reed was killed in an air crash.[3]
The car later appeared at the 1966 Rhodesian Grand Prix, the last round of that year's South African Drivers Championship, entered by local driver Peter Huson, but he retired from the race after an accident.[4]
Although World Championship races held in 1952 and 1953 were run to Formula Two regulations, constructors who only participated during this period are included herein to maintain Championship continuity. Constructors whose only participation in the World Championship was in the Indianapolis 500 races between 1950 and 1960 are not listed.
