My first Caterham - advice on... everything! (driving hints)
Discussion
I can summarise everything that 60,000 miles of Seven driving has taught me:- Just remember that sometimes you cannot believe how quickly you can drive one; and sometimes you cannot believe how slowly you need to drive one.
Smooth, dry, twisty road - amazing.
Bumpy and or/wet and/or diesel/gravel/cow merde affected road- caution!
And don't feel disappointed that your natural cruisng speed on the autoroute in Seven is a long way below that of your Audi.
Smooth, dry, twisty road - amazing.
Bumpy and or/wet and/or diesel/gravel/cow merde affected road- caution!
And don't feel disappointed that your natural cruisng speed on the autoroute in Seven is a long way below that of your Audi.
I would suggest caution when you drive in the rain for the first time.
I span my first 7 on my first trip out in the rain on the way to Caterham for a service, in a Super Sprint in 1985. I was exiting the first roundabout from my home and that was a good lesson, as new tyres and a slipery road and too much throttle on exit makes a spin easy to do. After 28 years of driving sevens, just start gently and build your experiance. Overtaking is a new skill and you will learn this, as it will make your Audi seem very slow. The speed difference can be difficult for other drivers to judge and you will get flashed a lot, as you can overtake in places people think you cannot. Build up to this slowly.
You get thirstly quite quickly, so take water on a long journey and expect to get tired after a few hours at the wheel. The wind and sun takes it out of you.
Piers
R300
I span my first 7 on my first trip out in the rain on the way to Caterham for a service, in a Super Sprint in 1985. I was exiting the first roundabout from my home and that was a good lesson, as new tyres and a slipery road and too much throttle on exit makes a spin easy to do. After 28 years of driving sevens, just start gently and build your experiance. Overtaking is a new skill and you will learn this, as it will make your Audi seem very slow. The speed difference can be difficult for other drivers to judge and you will get flashed a lot, as you can overtake in places people think you cannot. Build up to this slowly.
You get thirstly quite quickly, so take water on a long journey and expect to get tired after a few hours at the wheel. The wind and sun takes it out of you.
Piers
R300
We're all missing a wonderful opportunity to sow some false seeds here.
1. It is traditional to wear a flat cap at all times. When you drive past a convertible you should wave the hat in the air and whistle a little tune.
2. When driving with the roof down, you should tie a red pair of underpants to the roll-over bar. This helps other motorists see you earlier if there is a bump in the road, or if you are driving over a bridge.
3. If you are driving along and you have to stop at traffic lights, if you are the first car and you know there is enough time, it is traditional to jump out and run round the car. This is sometimes known as a chinese fire drill. Only do this in good weather. If the roof is up, it takes too long to get in and out of the car.
But seriously, I remember your posts from previously, and it is good to see the wait is over. My car is laid up in the garage, waiting for the good weather to come. We are due snow again next week. I just changed my car insurance over to full-year instead of seasonal insurance, but it looks like it isn't necessary this year. It will be April soon enough anyway. Grrrr.
Enjoy your drives. I am jealous of the weather you will be having.
1. It is traditional to wear a flat cap at all times. When you drive past a convertible you should wave the hat in the air and whistle a little tune.
2. When driving with the roof down, you should tie a red pair of underpants to the roll-over bar. This helps other motorists see you earlier if there is a bump in the road, or if you are driving over a bridge.
3. If you are driving along and you have to stop at traffic lights, if you are the first car and you know there is enough time, it is traditional to jump out and run round the car. This is sometimes known as a chinese fire drill. Only do this in good weather. If the roof is up, it takes too long to get in and out of the car.
But seriously, I remember your posts from previously, and it is good to see the wait is over. My car is laid up in the garage, waiting for the good weather to come. We are due snow again next week. I just changed my car insurance over to full-year instead of seasonal insurance, but it looks like it isn't necessary this year. It will be April soon enough anyway. Grrrr.
Enjoy your drives. I am jealous of the weather you will be having.
Benur said:
Well, I think it was Mickrick advising against joining the 7 Club because being out of UK it didn't have a lot of sense (not able to participate in forums?). But thanks anyway!
If you join the L7C you CAN participate in forums. For less than a £ a week you can probably get any problem/question resolved in a matter of hours. The only disadvantage being is that most of the discounts available only apply in the UK.
More good advice!!!
Yes, I remember getting into the highway and in a very short time I was going 20 km/h faster than the speed limit without noticing... And as far as I know the French flashes jump at over 5 or 6 km/h, as opposed to Spain, where they jump over 20 or so (and then you claim the +/-10% tolerance of the radar and if you are a little bit lucky you pay nothing
).
Bumpy roads = take care. And do not fight the vehicle, let it go - I guess this is like on a boat, where you do not want to fight the rudder all the time, but find the best flow.
Overtaking. Do I back a little so I have a better sight so I can even look front "under" the vehicle and then accelerate as suggested before? Or just go near the vehicle in front to make the passing shorter? I guess that I may start with the first and slowly shift to the second and more aggressive way when I grow my confidence and experience on the car.
Water, water, water. And an umbrella, in case it starts to rain and I get caught in a traffic jam, light or similar...
I remember I got muscle stiffness on my upper chest and on the shoulders after driving for half an hour or so on my testing day, so yes, I know it will be tiring. I guess I can start doing 1 hour outings at the beginning. On the trip to French Riviera we don't want to do more than 300 km per day, so that can be a couple hours in the morning and a couple in the afternoon (plus frequent stops).
And I'm not thinking in doing a lot of highways, but nevertheless I guess 100/110 km/h is a comfortable speed, am I wrong?
@pipnjones The flat cap may be with red Scottish squares???
We are being lucky last weekend and today with weather here. Very strong winds and rain Mo-We and I just saw 5ºC tops plus rain next week (that will help with my anxiety and your jealousy, hehe). I am also looking forward to April, for several reasons.
I'll think about it Smollet, but so far I think I can find all the info I need in this forum.
Again, I love this forum
Yes, I remember getting into the highway and in a very short time I was going 20 km/h faster than the speed limit without noticing... And as far as I know the French flashes jump at over 5 or 6 km/h, as opposed to Spain, where they jump over 20 or so (and then you claim the +/-10% tolerance of the radar and if you are a little bit lucky you pay nothing
).Bumpy roads = take care. And do not fight the vehicle, let it go - I guess this is like on a boat, where you do not want to fight the rudder all the time, but find the best flow.
Overtaking. Do I back a little so I have a better sight so I can even look front "under" the vehicle and then accelerate as suggested before? Or just go near the vehicle in front to make the passing shorter? I guess that I may start with the first and slowly shift to the second and more aggressive way when I grow my confidence and experience on the car.
Water, water, water. And an umbrella, in case it starts to rain and I get caught in a traffic jam, light or similar...
I remember I got muscle stiffness on my upper chest and on the shoulders after driving for half an hour or so on my testing day, so yes, I know it will be tiring. I guess I can start doing 1 hour outings at the beginning. On the trip to French Riviera we don't want to do more than 300 km per day, so that can be a couple hours in the morning and a couple in the afternoon (plus frequent stops).
And I'm not thinking in doing a lot of highways, but nevertheless I guess 100/110 km/h is a comfortable speed, am I wrong?
@pipnjones The flat cap may be with red Scottish squares???
We are being lucky last weekend and today with weather here. Very strong winds and rain Mo-We and I just saw 5ºC tops plus rain next week (that will help with my anxiety and your jealousy, hehe). I am also looking forward to April, for several reasons.I'll think about it Smollet, but so far I think I can find all the info I need in this forum.
Again, I love this forum
Benur said:
Overtaking. Do I back a little so I have a better sight so I can even look front "under" the vehicle and then accelerate as suggested before? Or just go near the vehicle in front to make the passing shorter? I guess that I may start with the first and slowly shift to the second and more aggressive way when I grow my confidence and experience on the car.
The car accelerates so rapidly that dropping back to get better sight lines is no problem for overtaking.Benur said:
I remember I got muscle stiffness on my upper chest and on the shoulders after driving for half an hour or so on my testing day, so yes, I know it will be tiring. I guess I can start doing 1 hour outings at the beginning. On the trip to French Riviera we don't want to do more than 300 km per day, so that can be a couple hours in the morning and a couple in the afternoon (plus frequent stops).
And I'm not thinking in doing a lot of highways, but nevertheless I guess 100/110 km/h is a comfortable speed, am I wrong?
The weather kit is fine if fitted properly, but the car is noisier with the roof on. Investing in some ear-plugs is usually a good idea on long motorway/highway trips. My biggest day in the car so far has been 745 miles from Chamonix to Bath - that was rather tiring And I'm not thinking in doing a lot of highways, but nevertheless I guess 100/110 km/h is a comfortable speed, am I wrong?
As per lots of other comments - but I would re-emphasise Coppices...
When it's dry you wont believe how much grip you DO have...
When it's wet/oily/greasy you won't believe how much grip you DON't have...
Even after a few years - you go out thinking "I won't have much grip...I won't have much grip..." then you get to the first corner and realise you REALLY have no grip :-)
Don't be scared - just very cautious....BUT do try experimenting somewhere safe, to see what happens if you go over the grip limits.
When it's dry you wont believe how much grip you DO have...
When it's wet/oily/greasy you won't believe how much grip you DON't have...
Even after a few years - you go out thinking "I won't have much grip...I won't have much grip..." then you get to the first corner and realise you REALLY have no grip :-)
Don't be scared - just very cautious....BUT do try experimenting somewhere safe, to see what happens if you go over the grip limits.
When you approach stopped traffic, such as at a red light, stop well back of the car in front, in case that car decides to reverse. I carry a set of three juggling practice bean bags to throw at the car in front in the event this happens to me one day, and the car ahead continues to reverse after hearing my air horns but still not seeing my car. Haven't had to test how well the bean bags might work yet, and hope I never do.
Once stopped yourself, tap your brakes a few times once you see a car approaching your stopped car from behind to light up your brake lights and make sure they see your car.
Think like you are on two wheels:
Once stopped yourself, tap your brakes a few times once you see a car approaching your stopped car from behind to light up your brake lights and make sure they see your car.
Think like you are on two wheels:
- I am invisible.
- They are ALL trying to kill me.
Edited by BBL-Sean on Monday 11th March 17:45
All these comments are making me impatient! I have a seasonal registration at the moment (no driving until April 1st), but I have sorted out my paperwork and will change to full-year insurance and plates tomorrow. But.... it is snowing here, so I cannot get out anyway. Ho hum. Roll on the warm weather -- in a couple of weeks.
Mr health & safety here but a couple of items of PPE are worth it.
Always wear eye protection as small stones can flick up & even with a full screen can find your eyes. I use wrap around shades for bright days & clear safety specs for dull & night time blatting.
Also on longer blats, ear plugs are a great help & make it so less tiring.
I have a 125 sigma s3 like the one you will be getting. Built it from a kit a little over five years ago & have covered 20k miles in it & still love it.
Late June I am off with two other caterhams (both SV's) & a 911 on a Euro trip to the Austrian alps, hope the snow has melted by then!!
Always wear eye protection as small stones can flick up & even with a full screen can find your eyes. I use wrap around shades for bright days & clear safety specs for dull & night time blatting.
Also on longer blats, ear plugs are a great help & make it so less tiring.
I have a 125 sigma s3 like the one you will be getting. Built it from a kit a little over five years ago & have covered 20k miles in it & still love it.
Late June I am off with two other caterhams (both SV's) & a 911 on a Euro trip to the Austrian alps, hope the snow has melted by then!!
Hey!!! 
Unfortunately last week I have been travelling extensively and I only arrived yesterday night. The dealer has not confirmed yet ETA (pending on logistics). I will tell you and I will upload some pictures the moment it arrives!
BTW, what a mess to get an insurance here...
Keep you informed!
Unfortunately last week I have been travelling extensively and I only arrived yesterday night. The dealer has not confirmed yet ETA (pending on logistics). I will tell you and I will upload some pictures the moment it arrives!
BTW, what a mess to get an insurance here...
Keep you informed!
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