Chevron GTP
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The Chevron GTP was an IMSA prototype that was used in the IMSA GTP series from 1981 to 1984 .
Development history
The Chevron GTP was originally a Chevron B21 chassis that was converted into an IMSA prototype by the US racing driver Del Russo Taylor . Taylor, a roofer from Florida , had no racing team and did most of the renovation work himself. He was supported by his wife Janis , who was a mechanic, secretary, press officer and driver in one. Taylor turned the Spyder chassis built in the early 1970s into a closed racing car. This was achieved by installing a Chevrolet Corvette windscreen and a steel frame that acted as a roof. In the course of the 1981 season, the stern was connected to the steel roof with a plastic plate and the cockpit closed at the rear.
As was the beginning of the original 2-liter Alfa Romeo engine used later by a Buick - V8 engine was replaced. Attempts to install a Porsche engine in the chassis remained unfinished. In the history of the IMSA GTP series, this handicraft car is the first prototype specially built for this racing series.
Racing history
The GTP was driven by Taylor 33 times in the series between 1981 and 1983. He was only able to record eight target arrivals with the car. The car made its racing debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1981 , behind the wheel Taylor himself and his compatriot Rex Ramsey . At the finish she was rated 35th overall and was 149 laps behind the victorious Porsche 935/80 driven by Hurley Haywood , Al Holbert and Bruce Leven .
The car had the best placement in the final classification at the Brainerd 200 km race in 1982 with fifth place. The last time the GTP was driven was the 1-hour race at Lime Rock in 1984 , which Taylor finished fourth overall.
literature
- JA Martin and Ken Welles: Prototypes - the History of the IMSA GTP Series . Bull Publishing, Phoenix 2000, ISBN 1-893618-01-3 .
