The glorious Chevron B16 sports-racing car is set to join the grid for the Historic Sports Car Club’s Guards Trophy races this season.
Although the B16, which first raced in September 1969, fits the established invitation class cut-off date for the Guards Trophy, the cars have never been admitted previously. However, to ensure they can race without running away from the Chevrons, Lenhams and Ginettas that typically set the pace in the Guards Trophy, the B16s will initially be subject to a longer pit-stop to help even up performance.
Instead of the mandatory one minute stop for the GT and sports-racing cars in the hour-long Guards Trophy races, any Chevron B16s on the grid will be required to stop for two minutes. This new proposal will be trialled at the opening race of the season on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in late May. If the extra time proves to be too little, further changes will be considered.
The Chevron B16 made its race debut in September 1969 When Brian Redman took victory in the 500km race at the Nurburgring. The B16 is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful designs to come from the talent of Chevron founder Derek Bennett and it fits very well with the ethos of the Guards Trophy.
Ross Hyett, John Sheldon and Hugh Price are all hugely experienced sports car racers and each of them has contemporary Le Mans 24 Hour starts on their racing records. They have all signalled their intention to race their B16s in the Guards Trophy this year, and the organisers are keen to attract other similar cars that may not currently have a suitable place to race.
Andy Dee-Crowne, CEO of the HSCC said: “The B16 is a simply stunning design and it will be great to have them on the grid for the Guards Trophy. Applying a longer pit-stop time for them should ensure that all the current cars on the Guards grid remain as competitive as they always have been.”