While today the name Chevron reminds the general public to get gas, it means something completely different to auto racing fans of the 1960s and 70s. Chevron Cars built some wicked designs that would become a fore in small capacity racing, and then later on, the northern England company would produce some interesting F2 and F5000 race cars. Chevron even had some great racing talent like Brian Redman behind their wheels.
Like most small-time carbuilders they went into the 1970s roaring, but came out limping. The expense of regulation and technology would mean Chevron would go on the decline.
But the fortunes of Chevron started to change in 2010 with new management and a new car, the GR8. This 2.0-liter racer has returned Chevron to its small capacity roots. This is fine, but what is really exciting is a second car, the GT3. The racer was introduced this year, and it has been showing up at historic racing events such as Goodwood and Shelsley Walsh (Chevron likes to tout how it has set speed records at these events, but remember, this classic name is using a modern car to go up against historic vehicles.)
The GT3 is basically the GR8 with a new 3.5-liter V6 engine as well as body and suspension modifications. What really makes it interesting is the car’s name. We can assume that a car labeled “GT3″ was built for GT3 racing. Since the GT3 class is based on production cars, if this racer wants to enter the class it is named after, it will need to build road-going versions to meet homologation standards.
Chevron is already promoting a ‘coming soon’ road car called the B1 Mk2 (the first Chevron ever was the B1.) The car doesn’t look like the GR8/GT3, but we don’t know the full specs on this one yet. So is it close enough to the GT3 to allow it into racing, or will there be a second road model announced soon?
Of course given today’s economy, we might be waiting a while for any sort of answer. Still, it is nice to see one of racing’s legendary car brands mounting a comeback.
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