Finally - a new owner!
Discussion
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!
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!
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......
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......
Take an all in one waterproof suit, as per those used by bikers. If you end up being sat in stationary traffic whilst it's hosing it down, you'll get absolutely soaked. Experience has taught me this 
Also, take it easy in the wet until you're used to it. You won't know the best tyre pressures or suspension settings to run it at until you've experimented.
Also, take it easy in the wet until you're used to it. You won't know the best tyre pressures or suspension settings to run it at until you've experimented.
groomi said:
...or you could just grow a pair and wear your shorts & t-shirt and hope for good weather!
Hent lookin too good outsoide roight ner!OP, Norwich to Southampton doesn't really have a 'nice' route! I'd forget about being clever until you've reached the southern section of the M25 unless your target is to get home by next tuesday! Stick to the A11, M11, and clockwise M25, and enjoy it at the weekend when you have a choice whether you want to get wet or not!
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).......
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 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
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
Now to find a waterproof all in one....
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 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!).
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
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!
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!
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