Finally - a new owner!

[GraemeP]

I made a very long (and on reflection, horrendously timed) journey from the far south up to Norwich where I put a deposit on a rather foxy road going Tracksport.

I have to drive this back from Norwich down to Southampton - anyone got any ideas on interesting roads to avoid the motorways??

Standard option is down to M25 via the A & M roads (12 and 11 IIRC), then down the M3.

I will have to have a full face lid, as the car is aero screened. I once drove a Westfield back from Preston (about 10 years ago), forgot to take things like ear plugs etc - that was interesting!

Anything I should take / remember? I am going by train, so will probably have crash helmet, gloves, ear plugs, warm layers, spare driver (to share the journey) & some bottled water!

[GraemeP]

Ok, on reflection I kind of asked for that - but I just want to ensure the journey is as enjoyable as possible! I know the nature of the beast, just didn't know if anyone had any insights from past experience (not sure what though!).

Anyway - who cares - after lusting for a Caterham for over 10 years I have finally said "f**k it", and taken the plunge. I feel like a kid waiting for santa......

[GraemeP]

I did have the opportunity to borrow a trailer (and a friend offered to drive up and trailer back for me) - but where is the spirit of adventure in doing that!!! It is a Caterham - surely ownership is meant to be entered into with a sense of humour and keen spirit??

I am taking a friend to share the driving, 200 miles isn't far at all - how many people drive these things to the 'Ring and back??!!

I won't be in any great rush to get back (going on the first day of a week's leave) so should be out of rush hour(s) and during daylight.

I drove a crossflow powered Westfield from Preston to Southampton about 10 years ago, that was fine (apart from hearing loss for a few days afterwards).......

[GraemeP]

Well said that man - I see your ear defenders and rain coat, and raise them with a full face crash helmet and a high collared snow boarding jacket!

[GraemeP]

ForzaGilles said:

GraemeP said:

I am taking a friend to share the driving, 200 miles isn't far at all - how many people drive these things to the 'Ring and back??!!

Me, 4 times now Just don't do it with an aeroscreen, unless you're wearing one of the aforementioned waterproof biker suits

Edited by ForzaGilles on Thursday 29th October 11:32

See - my journey is a relative jaunt to the local Oddbins for bottle of something cheeky.

Now to find a waterproof all in one....

[GraemeP]

Chris71 said:

will_ said:

If you've got big feet, remember to bring narrow, edgeless shoes....

Very good point. Even if they're not that big - normal sized feet can still call for race boots depending on the pedal spacing.

I wear a size 8 or 7 shoe, but I have a pair of those Puma speedcats that seem to fit the requirement and are nice and cheap.

I might even wear my ipod when I have a passenger stint (although I am concerned that I am going to be more on edge with my buddy driving than when I am!).

[GraemeP]

fergus said:

GraemeP said:

I wear a size 8 or 7 shoe, but I have a pair of those Puma speedcats that seem to fit the requirement and are nice and cheap

You could wear wellies and get away with it - if I can just get away with narrow shoes on my size 13 feet!

- designed with light weight in mind, I only come in at 10.5 stone!

Edited by GraemeP on Thursday 29th October 17:13

[GraemeP]

For anyone that is interested (although going on the R500 thread I am worried how many ways I might get shot down!!) - the collection day was a hoot!!

We left Norwich about 1pm, and headed down to the M25 at a steady pace with full face lids, warm coats, gloves and big smiles.

Wind noise above about 60 or 70 was alien at first (aeroscreen and half doors) - but I had ear plugs in, and after the initial shock it actually became quite a nice experience!

It was like a cross between being on a motorbike and being inside a car - in the passenger seat you could hunker down low enough to get little or no buffetting and wind noise.

For background, I have owned a Westfield around 10 years ago (albeit for a fleeting period) and done about 3 BAT trackdays in Combe in their superlights (and always had a great experience with a good bunch of people incidentally - anyone thinking about taking the plunge I would highly recommend the BAT experience to dip your toe).

Even driving down some fairly bland roads (M25 - can't get much worse, although coming over the bridge at Dartford was pretty cool), it was fantastic just to be in the car and getting familiar with it. We actually had 2 people take photos of us en route as well!

I have since taken the car out at night on the twistys where I live, and 140bhp with the spec of the car seems really well matched & balanced. For my skills and abilities I can't see me needing any more power. I am booked on an OPL day at Brands Hatch on the 3rd December (looking for an alpine stars el nino rain suit in case weather is bad - I am driving the car too and from the track day).

I don't want to be a racing driver, I don't want to be the fastest person on a track day - I just want an involving / enjoyable / cost effective adrenaline fix that when I do string together a decent lap or 2, I am rewarded for it - and for that I don't think I could have made any better purchase this side of £20k.

Anyone thinking about it (and the practicality side) - get out and do it - as long as you have storage, a sense of humour, and want a car to drive rather than shine and make nice, I have yet to find anything to surpass it.

Being a weekend car it feels special every time you get in it, I would be interested to hear if any other owners here with aero screens drive without a full face helmet - I tried it with a short, slowish drive with my dad and doubt I will do it much going forward!