[1] The car, designed by Ron Tauranac, was equipped with a particularly elaborate ground effect system and implemented an aluminum monocoque frame with a honeycomb structure to contain the weight.

A five-speed Hewland gearbox operated various four-cylinder engines of Alfa Romeo, Toyota, and Volkswagen origin.

[2][3] The RT3, an evolution of the previous RT1, was entered in the Formula 3 championships during the 1979 season, lagging behind the other cars lined up by the various teams.

The excessive heaviness precluded a good performance for the rest of the season.

Despite this, the entire structure was refurbished and between 1980 and 1984 the car achieved numerous successes such as the British Formula 3 championship won by Ayrton Senna and the European championship won by Pierluigi Martini.