Bedford 17th Decembrrrrr 2005 - Caterham CSR 260

[4wheel drifter]

The CSR looks purposeful and not as “geeky” as the original style “Roadsports” and upwards. This is definitely more than a funky cosmetic makeover: wider wheels and tyres, F1-style pushrod operated inboard suspension, double wishbone, fully independent rear, and of course a 260bhp Cosworth 2.3 litre engine. So how does it perform? Performance being the main reason anyone buys a Caterham – lets face it its not the coolest car for £40k.

Getting in is a lot easier, whatever size you are, but also there is more space once you are inside the cockpit. All the controls fall nicely to hand and I was easily able to find a comfortable position.

This is a really fun car and very forgiving. It will take me a bit longer than the 10 laps I had, to master it, but, boy, shall I enjoy trying!

I had a few laps first with Don Palmer and I’m glad I did. He made a very perceptive point on my driving and I shall be trying to work that into my future track driving.
It does it make you realise just how much you have to perfect your technique in order to extract anything like the best performance from this car. Thanks, Don

Awesome acceleration out of corners and nicely chosen ratios; plus all the development that has gone into this model make it very different from the Roadsport which I also drove on the same day. It is quite an event when you find a car like this. It reminds me of all that fun and excitement I had learning the limits of adhesion, car balance, steering input, just plain sideways fun! etc.

Now you know why you are a Petrol Head!