A similar 2008 R500 Superlight
It is being reported that a severely injured victim of a Nurburgring crash has launched a claim against Caterham Cars, blaming the maker for various safety lapses.
According to the Norwich Evening News, Shaun Cumbers has launched a claim in the High Court against Caterham Cars in excess of £300k, following the crash on April 26, 2009 – apparently caused by a leaking oil hose on a Superlight R500.
"It is claimed that the oil hose was positioned lower than the engine block, causing it to repeatedly scrape along the ground,” reports the paper, adding:
"Caterham is therefore accused of failing to design the vehicle safely, incorrectly fitting the oil hose, allowing a defective product to be sold, failing to recall it, failing to ensure the safety of the car to what should be expected and allowing Mr Cumbers to be put at unnecessary risk of injury.
"It is also claimed the company has admitted liability in an open letter dated August 7, 2009."
We asked Caterham to comment on the case, but they tell us they've yet to hear anything relating to Mr Cumbers from the High Court. "The matter is in the hands of the respective insurers," they say.
Caterham's spokesman tells us the company was aware of the 2009 incident, but can't talk about any of the background - in particular the existence of any letter admitting liability - for legal reasons. So we don't know if the letter alluded to in the newspaper report was a response to an earlier claim from the car's driver (for example), or indeed whether such a letter exists at all.