Extreme track car sets CPoP record - we presume slicks and downforce helped...
The new Caterham SP300 R has posted the fastest-ever run for a car at the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power over the weekend, setting a best time of 61.89 seconds.
The previous best time was 62.68 seconds, set by a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera in 2010. Of course, you would expect Caterham's newest model to perform well at such an event, given that it is so track-focussed it isn't road-legal, has a power to weight ratio to equal an LMP2 Le Mans car and runs on full F3-spec slick tyres...
The fastest car sporting number plates and a tax disc was the BAC Mono, although with 63.06 seconds being its fastest time it didn't quite beat the 2010 Lambo run. It did make the Mono quicker than rivals from Radical (an SR3 SL did a 68.71 second run) and Ariel (whose V8 Atom ran a best of 70 seconds flat).
But while the Atom V8's time might seem a little tardy, its Toyo tyres (Atoms normally run Yokohama AO48s, but they aren't rated for the V8's 170mph top speed) proved less grippy than the bespoke Kumhos on the Mono, especially on a slightly damp and dirty track. And before we're accused of Atom favouritism, the same V8 completed a 66-second run last year. With a completely dry weekend, we could have expected the battle between the British lightweights to be much closer...
Other notable times included that of a Nissan GT-R (just 64.99 seconds, third fastest of the road-legal cars and quicker than a Ferrari 458 Italia) and the Porsche 911 Carrera S, which came within two tenths of the Radical's time (68.86 vs 68.71 seconds respectively).
The fastest time overall went to Andy Mitchell on a Husaberg FS 650 bike, who managed to ride the 1.2 miles in just 60.93 seconds.
It's not running a slick tyre in those pictures leaping over the bridge, however "NOT FOR ROAD USE" full wets / inters without an E mark instantly should mean that the car is not eligible for consideration as a road car.
As someone who has done the Festival of Speed since 1995 will I be disapointed at the choice of cars going around. I've had enough of most Goodwood events due to the numbers of people and the move away from its original programme. I'm looking for a decent alternative to get my fix of things like 917's and old Alfas.
Was the GTR that posted that time standard (i.e not race car) does anyone know? If it was standard, that is also a hell of a time!
If it was the car in the supercar tent along with the Atom, Ferrari etc then yes it was a standard looking road car. I haven't been through my photos yet, can't remember if I took a pic of it in the tent. There was a McLaren MP4 12C in the tent too, but looking at the timesheets link it didn't run the course. That would have been interesting against the 458 and GT-R.
I think the heavy weight GT-R needs another mention. That's a stonking time and a fine example of how good the R35 is. Well done Nissan for brilliant design and even better execution!
Why was the Lambo so fast, it says in the link that it was faster than touring cars, rally cars and 'Le Mans veterans' was the driver the only one really trying?
I think it's worth noting how tricky the Cholmondeley course is. It features two humback bridges, a tight chicane and hairpin and virtually zero run-off. Competitors also launch from a standing start so there's no warming up process. Means that the road cars are at an advantage with a little extra compliance and good traction control systems can count for a lot. Anything for extra confidence, really.
It's worth noting how impressive the top guys were in difficult conditions on Saturday particularly. Tom Onslow-Cole were mega in the M5 and Jason Minshaw was a true pro in the Group A M3. Jann Mardenborough was utterly fearless in the GT-R as well.
