RE: Cosworth-powered Caterham arrives

[rubystone]

POORCARDEALER said:

Seven grand for a rebuilt is plenty, BUT you are getting in return one of the fastest cars in the world, which in my view makes it a bargain.

I hope you're right - I guess I might get mine back on the road before yours though Matt

[POORCARDEALER]

Bet you do!!!

My chassis is arriving mid June, Gary May is going to crack on with it, so I am hoping to be on the road end August, just in time for a bit of sun

How is the rebuild going?

[rubystone]

Engine ought to be back as early as late next week - 'box goes off to R&RT for precautionary check at the same time

[jackal]

POORCARDEALER said:

BUT you are getting in return one of the fastest cars in the world,

?? an R400 is as quick or quicker than an R500

[rubystone]

jackal said:

POORCARDEALER said: BUT you are getting in return one of the fastest cars in the world, ?? an R400 is as quick or quicker than an R500

What, on the road or on track?...

On the road, I'd agree, but on a track, I'm not so sure...

...and anyway, Matt's saying that the R500 is one of the fastest cars in the world, he's not suggesting an R400 isn't in that bracket

[POORCARDEALER]

jackal said:

POORCARDEALER said: BUT you are getting in return one of the fastest cars in the world, ?? an R400 is as quick or quicker than an R500

Couldnt comment as havnt driven either yet.........if a 500 isnt as quick as a 400 where are the extra 30bhp lost???

[jackal]

POORCARDEALER said:

Couldnt comment as havnt driven either yet.........if a 500 isnt as quick as a 400 where are the extra 30bhp lost???

HANDLING ! look at the centurion times from 2001-2003 then look at the R400 race times. The r400 is a very balanced package that works extremely well and does not have an inherent understeer problem.

In my experience, power means very little at this sort of level. When you mix it with 190bhp-260bhp caterhams on track the speed of them will be all to do with driver and setup/tyres. Its probably fair to say that there is very little to choose between a race CSR, an R500EVO, R500 and race R400.

[jackal]

rubystone said:

What, on the road or on track?..

on the track of course... theres no such thing as a defining test of how quick something is on the road. I can't see what fast on the road means and why it would even be important, what sort of roads, conditions, traffic, over 70mph allowed or not etc.. ?

Driving fast on the road is IMO all to do with how nuts you are. In fact, fastest A2B car ive ever seen was a vauxhall cavalier because the bloke basically wanted to kill himself and others around him ... VERY scary.