Gemini (racing car)

The Gemini name was used on a series of Formula Junior racing cars built by Chequered Flag Engineering of London between 1959 and 1963.

Gemini Mk 2.

Mk 1

In 1959, Graham Warner, the principal of The Chequered Flag Car Sales, purchased the Moorland Mk 2, a Formula Junior car which had been constructed by Leslie Redmond in early 1959 from drawings supplied by Len Terry .[1] The car was renamed the Gemini Mk 1 and won on debut at Brands Hatch in September 1959.[2]

Mk 2
Gemini Mk.2
Gemini Mk.2, driven by Jim Clark.

Having acquired the design rights, jigs and moulds for the Moorland, along with Redmond's services as designer, Warner formed a new company, Chequered Flag Engineering.[2] The Gemini Mk 2 was subsequently produced [2] and was first raced in a Formula Junior event at Brands Hatch in October 1959.[1]

It is believed that thirty Mk 2s were built, four powered by Ford Cosworths and all others by BMC A Series engines.[2]

Mk 3 & Mk 3A

The rear engined Gemini Mk 3 was introduced during 1960 and met with success in the hands of Tony Maggs, Geoff Duke and Peter Ashdown.[1] The Mk 3A of 1961 proved to be the only challengers to Cooper and Lotus in that year.[1] A total of eight Mk 3As were built in addition to the one prototype Mk 3.[2]

Mk 4 & Mk 4A

The Gemini Mk 4 was developed in 1962.[1] The car was of advanced design and featured inboard suspension, inboard brakes and two small radiators on each side of the car.[3] It was powered by a Cosworth modified Ford engine mated to a Renault Dauphine gearbox.[3] In 1963 the project was handed over to George Henrotte as the Gemini Mk 4A and production ended in the same year.[1]

References
  1. The Chequered Flag, A Brief History, www.hrscc.co.nz Retrieved on 25 March 2015
  2. Nigel Russell, Les Redmond - race car designer and constructor, www.hrscc.co.nz Retrieved on 25 March 2015
  3. ML Twight, The World's Racing Cars, Second Edition, 1964, page 28
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