Thursday 14th January 2010

Chevron GR8 Racer 'Nearly Ready'

Brit sports car gears up for one-make series

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The Chevron GR8 sports car, which we revealed in design study form last year, has been revealed in the metal at the Autosport International.

We say in the metal because, well, the glassfibre body isn't actually quite finished yet. Instead, Chevron has revealed the prototype's spaceframe chassis in all its glory, complete with its 255bhp 2.0-litre Cosworth motor.

Chevron is confident that it will get the car ready for the planned 20-car GR8 Challenge one-make series, the opening round for which is at Silverstone in early May.

Other rounds in the GR8 Challenge series include Oulton Park, Brands Hatch and Thruxton.

When it's finished, the GR8 Challenge car will cost aspiring racers £49,500. Once the race series is up and running, Chevron is planning to offer a track day version of the GR8, although it won't be road legal.

Chevron has no plans for a roadgoing car either - but we're pretty sure that if you asked nicely enough and left them an open cheque they'd be happy to knock one up for you...

^{Thanks to Nick Williams for the pics}

[annodomini2]

Why such a long nose on a mid engined car?

[soad]

It looks ace, not too badly priced either.

[roland82]

I like the look of this, could make a good racing series.

[Munter]

Ginetta basically making race only cars. Now some company called Chevron. Is there really enough demand for this kind of thing to make a profit?

[leon9191]

annodomini2 said:

Why such a long nose on a mid engined car?

Its where you're feet go.

I think it probably something to do with FIA approval, i.e. the regs will state a minimum distance between the front of the car and where the drivers legs are.

[rhinochopig]

Munter said:

Ginetta basically making race only cars. Now some company called Chevron. Is there really enough demand for this kind of thing to make a profit?

Now some company called Chevron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sir, I hope you jest. If not, I suggest you leave these hallowed halls.

[chuntington101]

Looks stunning to me! looks like they are using the Ford Duratec engine to. Shame there are no plans on making it road legal. Looks like it wouldn't take too much work.

[Oddball RS]

I think this is spot on, just what is needed, just need a road car version ASAP.

Real winner in the making

[mark3man]

Munter said:

Ginetta basically making race only cars. Now some company called Chevron. Is there really enough demand for this kind of thing to make a profit?

They (and other companies) make race cars because they do not need any type approval to be able to sell them.
Heard last night at a lecture on the development of the Aston 1-77 that they do not plan to sell it in the USA. They are making 77 cars (50 are sold) have done one crash-test for Europe, but to enter the USA would need to crash several more. The cars are handmade and it is illogical to bust one up for every one sold - effectively, it doubles the price.

[Altrezia]

rhinochopig said:

Munter said:

Ginetta basically making race only cars. Now some company called Chevron. Is there really enough demand for this kind of thing to make a profit?

Now some company called Chevron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sir, I hope you jest. If not, I suggest you leave these hallowed halls.

Tooooo right!

[MarvinManUK]

That looks very interesting.

[uncinquesei]

I can't believe they've called it the chevron GR8 - what's the even faster version going to be called? the Chevron GR8 WTF? an electric version? Chevron LOL?

[MrTappets]

Hopefully it won't turn out to be RUBB1SH.

Edited by MrTappets on Thursday 14th January 16:29

[parki11]

rhinochopig said:

Munter said:

Ginetta basically making race only cars. Now some company called Chevron. Is there really enough demand for this kind of thing to make a profit?

Now some company called Chevron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sir, I hope you jest. If not, I suggest you leave these hallowed halls.

"some company called Chevron" - have you been living under a rock for the past 300 years!? Surely uv heard of the B8 and B16 if not you shouldn't call yourself a petrol head!

[lazyitus]

Munter said:

Now some company called Chevron.

[Munter]

parki11 said:

rhinochopig said:

Munter said:

Ginetta basically making race only cars. Now some company called Chevron. Is there really enough demand for this kind of thing to make a profit?

Now some company called Chevron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sir, I hope you jest. If not, I suggest you leave these hallowed halls.

"some company called Chevron" - have you been living under a rock for the past 300 years!? Surely uv heard of the B8 and B16 if not you shouldn't call yourself a petrol head!

I've been dead for most of the last 300 years! I've only seen about the last 30. And I can only remember about 15 of those.

Nope never heard of them. They've been hiding in some random race's I've never heard of I guess.

Now put your knickers back on and make a cup of tea. Ta.

[lsb]

Munter said:

They've been hiding in some random race's I've never heard of I guess.

It gets better.

[GTRene]

If it looks like this...



I really like it, thats a nice car Chevron GR8, I still love that little Chevron B8 so i will follow the GR8 moves too, good luck, and hope you will make some road versions too.

[fausto]

annodomini2 said:

Why such a long nose on a mid engined car?

I don't think it could have something to do with footbox rules. Probably they need a "great" front hoverhang to mantain the original car (B8) proportions. The B8 cockpit was not very "central", at that time no central fuel tank and a "different" weight distribution approach led to that shape. Some time later driver started to move forward, gearcase distantial became the norm, etc etc...

[Stuart Dickinson]

Munter said:

Nope never heard of them. They've been hiding in some random race's I've never heard of I guess

Gotta be a troll...