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.







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.







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







Next up was more slalom time.









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





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.









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”





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



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



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

Steve.