Caterham Seven Service Manual download pdf (Page 20)

TRACK USE

ENJOYING TRACK DAYS & COMPETING IN YOUR

CATERHAM SEVEN

Due to the difficulty - and illegality - of using the

Caterham Seven’s full performance on the public

roads, many owners choose to use their cars in

competition events, such as circuit racing, sprints and

hill climbs, as well as non-competitive track days.

MOTORSPORT

As an introduction to Motorsport, Caterham Cars

introduced the Academy series in 1995; a race series

exclusively for novice drivers in identical Caterham

machinery. The Academy package comprises of the

car and a complete multi-discipline season taking the

driver from total novice, through the licence process

and training, on to becoming a bona fide race driver. It

has become the most successful programme of its type

in Europe, turning out more than 50 new racers each

year.

The success of the Academy has led to a complete

‘ladder’ of Caterham Motorsport forming to

accommodate all. Ex-Academy drivers typically

continue into Roadsport-B, a full race series tailored for

the newly experienced drivers, in the same car with

minor modifications. Roadsport-A follows with yet

further modifications, producing Caterham’s most

popular series. The Roadsports series have been

designed to promote close and cost-effective racing by

virtue of the strict regulations and the use of sealed

engines.

Beyond Roadsports, using Academy based cars, are

the two Superlight championships, using dedicated

cars. The Superlight R400 is Caterham’s premier UK

race series and uses a fearsome 210 Bhp engine with

sequential gear box, coupled to a limited slip

differential. It also has bespoke race suspension and

Evon CR500 developed specifically for the car to

deliver phenomenal performance. The Superlight R300

is a 175 Bhp version of the same car, provides a cost

effective step for drivers progression up the ladder.

In addition to the factory series, the well supported

Caterham Graduates Racing Club, formed in 1998,

provides an independent home for many ex-Academy

drivers in its three classes; two for Roadsport based

cars and one for the old live axle cars of the 1990’s.

Caterham Sevens are also highly popular for hillclimb

and sprint events, from club to national level. These

events are run solely against the clock, with one car on

the course at a time divided into a range of classes.

The owners club has its own sprint championship

which is the largest single make series of its kind in the

UK.

The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is responsible for

all forms of motor sport in the UK including all the

above, and in order to compete, a competition licence

must be held. To hold a 'speed' licence for hillclimb

and sprint events you only need to pay the relevant

fee. For a race licence however a one-day ARDS

driving course must be completed and you will need to

pass a medical examination with a doctor. Full details

can be obtained from the MSA or Caterham Cars.

TRACK DAYS

Track driving days give owners the opportunity to

experience all the performance and handling that their

car can deliver, in a safe and legal environment. Days

are generally operated by Track Day Organisers

(TDO’s), companies that specialise in hiring a circuit for

a day, then selling spaces to the general public. TDO’s

can be found by contacting the circuits, or an internet

search. As the quality of service and time varies, word

of mouth recommendation is a valuable medium.

A day will either be sessioned to typically 20 minutes in

the hour (for novice, intermediate and experienced), or

‘open-pitlane’ which allows the owner to take as much

track time as they want. In the latter case, we would

recommend no more than 20 minutes at a time as

personal fatigue can set in and concentration wander.

Remember to drink plenty of fluids.

The Caterham Seven is ideally suited to trackdays and

it can be almost guaranteed that there will be a

Caterham at every single day! The light weight and

race bred design means that the car can be driven to

the circuit, used all day and driven home with complete

confidence. These same qualities mean that

Caterhams are typically quicker than most cars on

circuit, including much more powerful exotica.

As trackdays cater for the general public in their

regular road cars, only personal safety equipment

(such as a crash helmet) is a requirement. However,

many owners choose to make use of race-developed

safety enhancements for peace of mind. Caterham

Cars would recommend the following options if you

intend using your car on circuit:

 Race harness safety belts (4 point or 6 point)

 Track day roll over bar

 Arm restraints

 Ignition cut out switch

Further safety enhancements include:

 Plumbed in fire extinguisher

 Full race roll cage

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Caterham Seven Service Manual Page 20

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