UK racing car manufacturer’s sales success leads to potential US representation Chevron produces most powerful GT3 yet to challenge in new market

Chevron Cars Ltd based in Crewe UK, is celebrating the completion of the first sale of its 2014 spec GT3 car in the USA. The sale marks a stateside return for the famous Chevron marque, this time in the highly competitive NARRA (North America Road Racing Association) GT Championship.Chevron has created its most powerful car to date (680bhp) in order to challenge the American muscle cars in the GT-Unlimited class, following an order from American businessman Harry Blazer and ex-UK racer, Briton Chris Hall.Blazer, who runs ‘Drive for Success’, a full race service company based in Daytona, won the NARRA GT1 class behind the wheel of a Porsche GT3 cup car in 2013. Along with his business partner, co-driver and coach, Hall, they had been searching for a car that could be competitive against the dominant Dodge Vipers in the GTU class, and believe they have found the perfect ‘Viper killer’ in the Chevron GT3. Now they intend to shake the establishment on track, while also representing Chevron in North America and attracting fellow American racers to Chevron Cars.David Witt, owner and CEO of Chevron Cars Ltd is excited about the break into the US racing car market: “We are delighted to have built and tailored our most powerful car to date for Harry to race in the States. Chevron Cars has been successful in the USA at events like Daytona and Sebring in the past, so aficionados know the name and reputation. Harry, Chris and ‘Drive for Success’ will be able to tap into Chevron’s wonderful heritage to help them sell the next generation of these famous cars in the USA.”Chris Hall is an extremely versatile and experienced racer who has won five championships and enjoyed success in a variety of different series. It was Hall who knew of Chevron Cars and recommended Blazer get in touch, leading to a test of the Chevron GT3 at Donington Park. Despite wet conditions, Blazer instantly decided this was the car he needed.Blazer commented: “Even though it was wet, after one lap in the car I said ‘This is what a race car should be’. Basically, I fell in love with the car after a lap. In the NARRA GTU class (where U stands for unlimited) you need a lot of horsepower and torque to be a contender, especially against those 700 to 800 horsepower Vipers. The team at Chevron figured out what engine size was required to get the horsepower and torque I needed along with all the other components as well, so I could have great handling and braking to go along with great power. In my previous car in the GT1 class, I could do at least as well or better against the GTU cars in terms of the twisty parts, but on the straights I just couldn’t compete. Now I believe I can. This new Chevron, with its combination of tremendous power to weight ratio, and excellent handling, will make us a serious contender in NARRA GTU." Blazer is so enthused about Chevron Cars that he is set to become their North American distributor.Talking from the Chevron factory in Crewe, Blazer said: “My experience with Chevron has been excellent and I have confidence that our business relationship is going to be very gratifying for both parties. The Chevron represents exceptional value for performance. I think it will be very popular in the USA so I’m also looking at becoming the North American distributor for the brand.“Andy Baynham (Chevron’s Chief Development Engineer) has tremendous talent and experience. He’s a straight talker and a pleasure to be around. He tells you exactly what’s going on with no sugar coating so you always know what’s real. David Witt, the owner, has been very generous with his time and his support. He is very patient, meticulous and totally committed to the business.”Explaining how quickly the bespoke cars could be available for US buyers, Blazer continued: “Right now we’re looking at an eight-week lead time, but potentially if the market looks like it’s going to be worthwhile, we could stock cars in the United States ready to be purchased. We could perform simple add-ons in the USA that people wanted, but the car needs to be manufactured in the Chevron plant in the UK. That is where the manufacturing expertise resides. We’re also looking into getting the Chevron homologated for certain race series in the USA.“I’m looking at this as a partnership with Chevron UK. We’re going to be racing, we’re going be demonstrating, we’re going to be providing total support on and off the track. And hopefully we’re going to have lots of folks interesting in owning and running this exceptional car. It’s a very special car and a great performing car and we are looking forward to great success and many satisfied customers!”