The launch of the Renault 12 Gordini was going to be something special. Not a boring unveiling, but a celebration for Gordini and the many enthusiastic Gordinists. It was no coincidence that the weekend of 18th and 19th July 1970 was chosen. The Coupe R8 Gordini would be racing on the famous Le Castellet circuit. In addition, the chances of good weather were high and the circuit had a large capacity to accommodate the many visitors who would arrive with their cars. A week earlier, Magny-Cours also hosts a race in the same framework, but this circuit is not as spacious. The first subsequent race was not scheduled until 20 September, too late for the launch of a new car for the 1971 model year.

In no way should it be a race between old and new. In fact, tests have shown that the new Renault 12 Gordini, despite its 22 hp increase, is no faster than its predecessor on the track due to its lack of agility. This is why fans of the R8 Gordini have been affected by the end of production of their favourite model.
It is planned to run short races with the 8 and 12 Gordini during the event. And of course the newcomer should win. But it is not realistic to ask the current drivers of the 8 Gordini to keep their distance from the new model. The new cars must, of course, appear superior to the public. Renault itself does not understand this and the time pressure is enormous. The pre-production cars were entrusted to Alpine in Dieppe. The verdict is realistic but harsh. The Renault 12 Gordini was no match for the 8 Gordini in this version, let alone a front-wheel-drive car capable of beating its predecessor at Le Castellet. The main problem is the front suspension, which causes too much understeer. The car is also unable to put the power to the ground properly. Renault actually developed the 12 Gordini on a modest budget by keeping as many parts as possible identical to the production model. A bad start for the new car.

Everything has been thought of, showers and toilets in two large tents and, for those sleeping in a tent, blue air mattresses with white stripes.
The changes proposed by Alpine go too far for Renault. Nevertheless, it decided to adjust the camber of the rear wheels. The wheels are angled slightly more. Stiffer and slightly shorter springs are also fitted.
This reduces understeer and makes it easier to generate oversteer. Renault adjusts the brake distribution because the inner wheel tends to lock when braking in corners. The lower springs help this wheel to retain more grip, but the aforementioned adjustment is necessary to further reduce locking. As far as the engine is concerned, there will be no changes for Jour G, as the weekend is called. However, engines will be selected specifically for the event. Fittingly, 12 of these pre-series engines will be prepared at Alpine.

On the eve of the event, five thousand guests arrive at Le Castellet. Everything has been thought of: showers and toilets in two large tents and blue air mattresses with white stripes for everyone sleeping in a tent. Visitors are also given colour-coded parasols, T-shirts and a 45 rpm single. As darkness falls, a hundred or so Gordinis spontaneously report to the track and do their laps with the lights on for about ten minutes. After that the mood unfortunately changes and many of the guests do not behave as you would expect. The barbecue area had to be bulldozed the next morning.

The next morning, more guests arrive who fortunately have not experienced any of the above. Most arrive in their R8 Gordini. An estimated total of between 2,000 and 2,200. There are also a number of Dauphines 1093 and Alpines A110.  According to the organisers, there will be between 6,000 and 10,000 spectators.
The morning programme will start with various races, including the Alpine Berlinettes, Formula France and the Coupe Renault 8 Gordini. This will be followed by the presentation of the Renault 12 Gordini, for which Amédée Gordini has come to the circuit in person. Ten well-known drivers, including Vinatier, Serpaggi, Beltoise and Ickx, have been flown in from the British Grand Prix. The challenge between old and new does not produce a clear winner. The 8 and 12 seem to be evenly matched. The crowd was not unanimously enthusiastic. They wondered if the cars had been specially prepared and if the drivers of the 8 Gordini had been told to hold back.

After the presentation, all the 8 Gordinis present drive a few laps around the track behind some of the 12 Gordini. Never again will so many driving 8 Gordinis come together. Good driving, the four cars side by side form a traffic jam of about 3.3 kilometres, pretty much the total length of the circuit.
The inappropriate outburst from the guests on Saturday night and the fact that the 12 Gordini had a hard time convincing, meant that Jour G was mainly a celebration of the production stop of the R8 Gordini.