Riggers's Caterham takes shape
As Garlick revealed on Monday, we're sponsoring the
2010 PistonHeads.com Caterham Academy
and I'm the lucky blighter making my racing debut in the official PH entry.
As if enthusiasm wasn't running at fever pitch here in the PH office already, Caterham has sent us this pic of our very own Academy car in build. Hopefully, it will be the only time our racer will be seen without all four wheels attached...
Now, we know that about half the Academy guys and girls get stuck in and build the cars themselves but, since my spannering abilities are somewhere south of those of an inept toddler, we thought it was best left to someone a little more capable. (The last time I attempted any serious spanner work, my old 200SX had to be towed to a local garage as the result of my attempts to change the spark plugs...)
'This is a left turn, Riggers...'
For those with a little more aptitude with the toolkit, Caterham reckons a self-build on an Academy car should take around 70 hours.
After that, you can take your pride and joy into Caterham Midlands, or the factory itself down in Dartford, where Caterham will look the car over for you and advise a tightening-up here, or an extra screw there.
In fact, Caterham will make the adjustments for you, and then take the car off your hands and head off to the local VOSA for its IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test. Those with a masochistic streak can take their car through the IVA themselves, but Caterham heartily recommends letting them do it...
For me, though, I just have to sit tight and wait until January before I can pick up my car. I'm counting down the days already.
Meanwhile, tomorrow you'll be able to read about my first test drive behind the wheel of an Academy car at (a very greasy) Oulton Park.