Sunday 4th June 2023

Caterham 620R wins best track car of last 25 years

The world has moved on around the Seven. Yet it still encapsulates everything that is truly good about cars

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Full disclosure from the off: I’ve been really, really looking forward to this one. Of course, there isn’t a dud category in the entire PH25 Pantheon, but if you asked for a personal favourite, then track cars would be it. If the windows are plastic, the tyres sticky, the weight reduced and the stickers garish, count me in. Perhaps more than any other PH25 vote, the track car outcome was hardest to call and featured the most disparate field of contenders. A Renault Megane with no rear seats had arguably as much claim to the title as one of the greatest mid-engined Ferraris ever made.

As it was, our top three were nothing if not diverse, with mid-engined, front-engined and rear-engined layouts represented. The winner had an engine half the size of that in second place; you can buy an example of the third-placed car for a tenth of the price of the runner-up. And while all our track car podium finishers are rear-drive, tyres span everything from a 215-section to a 325 on the driven axle. That’s the sort of variety we’re talking about in just three cars of a brilliant category, with one very clear, very deserving winner: the Caterham Seven 620R.

You like them old school, clearly. With Elise and E39 M5 having already established themselves as PH25 winners (and the Clio Trophy very nearly taking the hot hatch title), there’s clearly an appetite for traditional thrills in this competition. And they could hardly be any more traditional than a Seven. The original road-going track car, really - and the finest exponent out there of how brilliant the front-engined, rear-drive balance can be, how essential the principle of lightweight really is and how inimitable exposure to a car's workings feels in this day and age. 

There really is nothing that brings joy on a circuit like a Seven. Even the modestly powered models are so immediate, so responsive and so visceral that you can’t fail to have a good time. Keeping up with folk who’ve spent six figure more on a supercar with nothing more than an old Ford engine and four Avons really is enormous fun. For the PH25 track car vote, however, we wanted to up the ante, hence the inclusion of the 620R. Turned out to be a good decision, too, as you voted for the 310hp, sequential, supercharged, madcap flagship of the Seven range in your droves.

Somewhat miraculously given our recent luck, Wales played ball and we had a glorious day at Anglesey to film. Having experienced both the Seven and Anglesey in almost every climactic condition over the past decade or so, it really felt like a match made in heaven. Rain would have made for a funny video, but the sun showed off the best track car in 25 years at its very best. I really hope some of the joy comes across on video, in between the screams of fear and attempting to say something cogent.

A Seven going sideways in the sun by the sea would have made for a good video already, but this is PH - and PH25 specifically - we didn’t want to just do a 'good' video. So as with the saloon and hot hatch efforts, we brought the second-placed car along for the ride as well. And when second place is the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0, it felt a bit like bringing Ronnie O'Sullivan to play pool at the local. As far as we were concerned, modern 911 road racers come no greater than the God-like 997 4.0, and it seems a good many of you agreed.

It hardly needs a stunning road to prove why the GT3 RS is so revered (and why no Euromillions garage would be complete without one) but we gave it one anyway. Properly done, some optimisation for track actually makes for a better road car as well, stripping away what isn’t really necessary to make the driver (and the drive) an even more important part of what’s going on. Bring that immersion together with a 500hp Mezger flat six and a manual gearbox, and every single mile - practically every moment, in fact - is memorable. Both these cars demand you’re A-game to do their thing, and reward in kind.

It says much that even a couple of days with the pairing didn't feel sufficient to properly get to grips with them. They need time, patience, skill and commitment to get the very best from them, and, of course, that means the satisfaction you get from driving them even vaguely well is off the scale. In the first few miles, the 620R is downright scary, such is the sheer speed and physicality; when cold, the GT3 is reluctant at best and recalcitrant at worst, hunting for revs and not much keen on changing gear.

With both cars up to temperature, however, they really are utterly sensational. Nailing a downshift in the 4.0 is one of the great automotive experiences, and nudging a crazily powerful Caterham just beyond the limit as you grow in confidence is up there as well. As cars generally make going fast easier than ever, there’s something immensely gratifying about having to put the legwork in; similarly, knowing that these cars would continue to reveal different facets of their character with more time, different techniques and new challenges only increases the affection for both. Never have I left a shoot so desperate to spend more time experiencing the subject matter - even if 200 motorway miles is a long way home in a Seven. As well as being the two of the most capable track cars of the past quarter century, both Caterham and GT3 are driver’s cars of the highest order. The experience is at least as important as the obvious ability, a timely reminder that being the best of the best isn’t just about lap times.

Anyway, that’s more than enough waffle. You knew these two were superb - you voted for them. And we really couldn’t have asked for better conditions to show why you did, so hopefully the video does a pair of fantastic track cars justice. Thank you Anglesey, thank you Wales, and thank you Harry, who has outdone himself yet again. And thank you, PHers, for making it so. Now sit back and enjoy. 

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• GR Yaris wins best hot hatch of last 25 years
• Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997.2) | PH Heroes

[stavr0ss]

I know I’ll be immolated for this, but I was disappointed the 310R wasn’t in the list, I’ve only ridden in a 620, but I’d take a narrower, lighter seven with ‘just enough’ power for most track days all day long, maybe at spa or silver stone youd want the 620 but I’d take the 310 9 times out of 10

[911Spanker]

I love the original Caterham Superlight - it felt like the sweetspot and utterly mesmerising where every element of its dynamic makeup matched each other.

[Snubs]

stavr0ss said:

I know I’ll be immolated for this, but I was disappointed the 310R wasn’t in the list, I’ve only ridden in a 620, but I’d take a narrower, lighter seven with ‘just enough’ power for most track days all day long, maybe at spa or silver stone youd want the 620 but I’d take the 310 9 times out of 10

Agreed. I'd have said 620 right up until I drove a 250bhp Caterham on track and walked away with one key lesson learned: I needed more skill, not more power.

[AKjr]

stavr0ss said:

I know I’ll be immolated for this, but I was disappointed the 310R wasn’t in the list, I’ve only ridden in a 620, but I’d take a narrower, lighter seven with ‘just enough’ power for most track days all day long, maybe at spa or silver stone youd want the 620 but I’d take the 310 9 times out of 10

I agree with this. As mad and fast as the 620 is, and it's a great machine, I'm not denying that, I'd take a lighter, less powerful and, for me, more usable version any day of the week.

[GreatScott2016]

Snubs said:

Agreed. I'd have said 620 right up until I drove a 250bhp Caterham on track and walked away with one key lesson learned: I needed more skill, not more power.

Me too, although both fab!

[Murph7355]

Snubs said:

Agreed. I'd have said 620 right up until I drove a 250bhp Caterham on track and walked away with one key lesson learned: I needed more skill, not more power.

This is why the SL mentioned above is so good.

Tbh I voted for the 620 more because it was a 7 than it being a 620R.

200bhp is around the sweetspot for me on track now. Enough power to get past straightmeisters on track days, but still not so much that you don't feel you have to hold back at all.

Glad the 7 won... Can't help thinking the author of the opener really would have preferred the GT3 to have done so

[620S]

^^^ och bunch of Jessie’s, 620 needs a wee tune in my book! ;-D

[baconsarney]

A Lotus 7 was my first car... I've never fallen out of love with them

[CDP]

Snubs said:

stavr0ss said:

I know I’ll be immolated for this, but I was disappointed the 310R wasn’t in the list, I’ve only ridden in a 620, but I’d take a narrower, lighter seven with ‘just enough’ power for most track days all day long, maybe at spa or silver stone youd want the 620 but I’d take the 310 9 times out of 10

Agreed. I'd have said 620 right up until I drove a 250bhp Caterham on track and walked away with one key lesson learned: I needed more skill, not more power.

I've not driven the high power Caterhams but I agree with this sentiment, low grip and just enough power then build up on skill. Indeed, this is the point of a Caterham, original Elise and all the other small sports cars.

The PH testers have a lot more skill than me but they should take the average enthusiast into account.

[911Spanker]

Stuff like the 620 is all well and good but for me, it's far from being the best 7. It all depends on your use case - for driving hard on the public road, 130-140bhp with an aeroscreeen is ace IMO.

[nismo48]

CDP said:

Snubs said:

stavr0ss said:

I know I’ll be immolated for this, but I was disappointed the 310R wasn’t in the list, I’ve only ridden in a 620, but I’d take a narrower, lighter seven with ‘just enough’ power for most track days all day long, maybe at spa or silver stone youd want the 620 but I’d take the 310 9 times out of 10

Agreed. I'd have said 620 right up until I drove a 250bhp Caterham on track and walked away with one key lesson learned: I needed more skill, not more power.

I've not driven the high power Caterhams but I agree with this sentiment, low grip and just enough power then build up on skill. Indeed, this is the point of a Caterham, original Elise and all the other small sports cars.

The PH testers have a lot more skill than me but they should take the average enthusiast into account.

+1 Good call

[BillyB]

[Black S2K]

nismo48 said:

CDP said:

Snubs said:

stavr0ss said:

I know I’ll be immolated for this, but I was disappointed the 310R wasn’t in the list, I’ve only ridden in a 620, but I’d take a narrower, lighter seven with ‘just enough’ power for most track days all day long, maybe at spa or silver stone youd want the 620 but I’d take the 310 9 times out of 10

Agreed. I'd have said 620 right up until I drove a 250bhp Caterham on track and walked away with one key lesson learned: I needed more skill, not more power.

I've not driven the high power Caterhams but I agree with this sentiment, low grip and just enough power then build up on skill. Indeed, this is the point of a Caterham, original Elise and all the other small sports cars.

The PH testers have a lot more skill than me but they should take the average enthusiast into account.

+1 Good call

Seconded/fourthded.

Having successfully reversed a low-powered S2000 off a few tracks, the point is valid.

One of the best track duals I had was with a Kent-powered Locost - you couldn't get a fag paper between us!

He couldn't get the power to mass advantage down on the straights due to suspension crudity, and the cornering was remarkably close.

So what fun one could have in merely a poverty-spec Catherham...

[Joehow]

I own a 310R it's wonderful and in fact I sold a 996 GT3 for it as I wanted something lower on cost. My old man has a 997.2 GT3 and I think I agree with the caterham win for pretty much every circuit. However if you offered me a 4.0RS at Spa that is peak life

[braddo]

The photo on the main PH page of the 7 drifting at anglesey - should be a PH wallpaper

[polainm]

I have owned a 1995 S3 Seven for years. It's a very modified Zetec 1800 on carbs with only 170bhp in 520kg. On track I run out of talent way before power. On the road it's obviously 'more than enough' because the same power-to-weight ratio in your typical wkpanzer would require around 650bhp, and then Star Trek levels of electronic aids to handle like a Seven. It only does 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds but I can weave across roundabouts quicker than any halfwit in a super car. And that's the difference; you do need driving skills and excellent observation to drive and survive in a Seven on the public highways, and many 'modern' car drivers simply don't have these in the first place. I drove mine from Cambridge UK, to Tyrol Mountains in Austria with racing bicycle on the back. Nothing - n o t h i n g - could touch me on the mountain roads and there were plenty of £300k+ cars blasting up and down them. Only an Ariel Atom gave me a challenge, but the driver just couldn't corner 🤣

[braddo]

Really enjoyable video too, well done PH!

[emperorburger]

Murph7355 said:

Tbh I voted for the 620 more because it was a 7 than it being a 620R.

And that's the crux of these member polls. They are a bit of fun and the Caterham won not because it's a 620, but because of the esteem the 7 is held in as a British icon and as importantly an affordable and accessible choice as a capable and fun track car.

[Pan Pan Pan]

Interesting that both the best sportscars, and track cars, of the last 25 years have essentially come from Lotus.
The Cayman is of course also an excellent car in this area particular arena.

[dimitris.racing]

The first time I drove a Caterham was at a Palmersport day at Bedford. I instantly fell in love with it, so I went out and bought the maddest, most powerful one, the 620R



The 620 is an incredible machine for having fun on the track. You can easily drive sideways on literally every corner. But if you are chasing a lap time it takes skill to extract the most from it and it’s actually not that fast down the straights, as it is shaped like a brick, and it’s not really making 310... sorry Caterham

Even though I was enjoying myself in the 620, I noticed I was struggling to keep up with well driven Caterham race cars with half the horsepower around corners. So I sold the 620 and signed up to race in the Caterham Academy series. My first ever race was at Cadwell Park



This was probably the best decision I ever made. It totally transformed my understanding of car dynamics and driving on the limit. At the end of my academy year, I was quicker in the academy car which has 125 BHP and uses van tires, compared to my lap times in the 620 on semi slicks a year before.

My Caterham racing adventures continued for a few years until I switched to GT racing, but that could be the subject of a different post. The only thing I regret from my decision to go racing is that it has ruined trackdays for me, they seem boring now…

So for anyone looking to have fun on track, the 310 is the sweet spot!