Sunday 30 May 2010

Caterhams at Dunsfold

6.4 litre, 450bhp from 16 cylinders (4 of which are air-cooled), 29 wheels, 8 wheel drive, probably around 3.5 tonnes, ~10 seats and a double bed, no power steering, no ABS and only 3 ECUs... It was a strange convoy that cruised into Dunsfold this morning for the “Caterham Handling Day” Using the Camper as a race support truck, we set up in the paddock to swap from road wheels to ones suitable for ragging around.

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With the 7s ready we listened to the drivers briefing before mounting up for the off. There are several activities on offer during the morning session. 0-60 sprints down the runway, a slalom course, a freestyle arena that was wetted down to allow maximum slip and the Top Gear track for fast laps behind a pace car.

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For the first trip round the track I hopped in to the snug Tillet seat of Andy Bs Caterham, we set out and trundled round behind a very sedately driven 7

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Next up was more slalom time.

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Back over to the TG track I nabbed a spot on the final corner to snap the cars coming through.

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After a final session on the track it was the end of the AM session and time for the lunch break, before food it was time for a real racer to hit the track, so dropping a donation in to the charity bucket I joined Caterham and Camper owner Angus, who was due to do a few laps for anyone who fancied a sedate lap, we saddled up in the van and followed him round. Rumour has it we managed a sub three minute lap.

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With the 7 owners out of the van I did a last brace of laps with the wife and son of one of the marshals, this time I managed a foot to the floor 70mph pass of the “Follow Through”

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All that was left to do was swap back over to the road wheels and pack the van.

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Before applying my new sticker to the rear window and heading home.

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The rest of the photos from a hi-octane morning are here

Steve.

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