Micky Butler - TOCA Junior Launch 13th August 2024

Covers officially come off TOCA Junior Championship at exclusive launch event

The Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship officially launched this evening (13 August) with the covers coming off the car that will power young drivers in the brand-new series from 2025 – the Chevron B1417.

As part of an exclusive event at the Mercure Daventry Court Hotel, the rear-wheel-drive machine took centre stage in front of almost 125 invited guests including those prospective teams and drivers, championship partners, suppliers and media. 

Attendees not only had the opportunity to get a first-look at the car, but they were also provided with further insight into the series as it prepares to take its place on the support bill of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) next year. 

Hosted by Alan Hyde, guests first heard from BTCC Chief Executive Alan Gow before Tommy Watson, the Chief Executive of title sponsors Mairon Freight UK, took to the microphone. Championship Director Dave Beecroft and Operations Director Vickie MacClinton then took to the stage before formerly revealing the car. 

The event was the culmination of almost two years hard work and marked the birthplace of a category that is set to develop and prove talent between the ages of 14 to 17 for many years to come. 

Putting safety first 

The Chevron B1417 has been designed and built from the ground up as an entry-level machine that has safety at the core of its ethos, allowing young drivers to make the transition from karting to cars as seamlessly as possible. 

Built to the highest FIA standards and regulations, the car’s chassis boasts a number of industry-leading features, one of which is the Roll Over Protection System that has been designed in accordance with the latest FIA Homologation Regulations for Safety Cages including utilising a 16mm main hoop.

Side-impact panelling has also been built into the chassis while the driver’s door is filled with energy-absorbing materials; both of which increase the structural integrity of the car and dissipate the force of impacts. 

Significant safety features continue inside the cockpit with every car being fitted with a Corbeau ARS-6 (AS.090.21) seat homologated to FIA 8862-2009 standard. The seat is used in conjunction with a six-point harness and FIA 8863-2013 Racing Net; a vital component that protects drivers by preventing debris from entering the cockpit and safeguarding them in a collision.

Inspired by the BTCC, the Chevron chassis also boasts front and rear removable subframes for easy maintenance and repairability, while aerodynamics come in the shape of a front splitter and adjustable rear wing.

Other key features include adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars and sealed two-way suspension dampers with controlled springing. Adjustable functionality has also been built into the steering position and the brake, throttle and clutch pedals. 

Weighing approximately 850kg, the car is powered by a custom built four-cylinder naturally aspirated 1898cc engine. Serving as a stepping-stone to professional motorsport, championship competitors will have the benefit of utilising that power through a five-speed manual gearbox and a limited slip differential, both of which will be sealed.

The series will use Goodyear Direzza Race tyres, with restrictions being placed on the number of tyres that are allocated at each event to ensure parity and to also contain costs. 

Chevron name returns to the track

At the heart of the TOCA Junior Championship is the triumphant return of Chevron Cars to the modern racing scene.

Founded by the late Derek Bennett in 1965, the British manufacturer was once a motorsport powerhouse as it went from humble beginnings in Bolton to enjoying worldwide success across the likes of Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula 5000, Formula Atlantic and