My Caterham race car
Discussion
Time for race 2 
I remember sitting in the collecting area still being annoyed. I had barely spoken to anyone that morning and just wanted to get on with things - very unlike me as I'm normally very nervous before the race.
The usual warm up procedure followed and on the start I bogged again so ducked straight in behind Paul to cover the first turn. By flatshifting all the way up through the box (not advised) I was comfortable in second and challenging for the lead on the Revett straight. Then a mistake! I didn't brake hard enough for the last turn and went wide and off the circuit - result was back to 5th
Strangely I remember relaxing once that happened. I took 4th from Flick Haigh up the straight with a good tow and ducked in behind James Sharrock in 3rd. A few laps later I took 3rd, then 2nd from Mark Shaw and was back challenging for the lead. Paul had been getting away up front so Mark Shaw waved me passed to see if I could catch him - thanks Mark
In 4th behind Paul Wilson, James Sharrock and Mark Shaw:
And back up to 2nd behind Paul:
Paul and I traded the lead lap after lap until he eventually dropped back to 6th. I started to pull a little gap on Mark in 2nd but went across the grass entering the esses. I rejoined in the lead but with dirty tyres dropped back to 3rd. I gained 2nd again and then the lead and that's how it stayed - I had won and was ecstatic
I beat the previous days lap record but unfortunately so did Adam Balon who got his first podium. Shame, that extra point might come in handy.
Still, it was celebration time
I remember sitting in the collecting area still being annoyed. I had barely spoken to anyone that morning and just wanted to get on with things - very unlike me as I'm normally very nervous before the race.
The usual warm up procedure followed and on the start I bogged again so ducked straight in behind Paul to cover the first turn. By flatshifting all the way up through the box (not advised) I was comfortable in second and challenging for the lead on the Revett straight. Then a mistake! I didn't brake hard enough for the last turn and went wide and off the circuit - result was back to 5th
Strangely I remember relaxing once that happened. I took 4th from Flick Haigh up the straight with a good tow and ducked in behind James Sharrock in 3rd. A few laps later I took 3rd, then 2nd from Mark Shaw and was back challenging for the lead. Paul had been getting away up front so Mark Shaw waved me passed to see if I could catch him - thanks Mark
In 4th behind Paul Wilson, James Sharrock and Mark Shaw:
And back up to 2nd behind Paul:
Paul and I traded the lead lap after lap until he eventually dropped back to 6th. I started to pull a little gap on Mark in 2nd but went across the grass entering the esses. I rejoined in the lead but with dirty tyres dropped back to 3rd. I gained 2nd again and then the lead and that's how it stayed - I had won and was ecstatic
I beat the previous days lap record but unfortunately so did Adam Balon who got his first podium. Shame, that extra point might come in handy.
Still, it was celebration time
I had taken a few points out of Mark Shaw at Snetterton and we were now equal 2nd in the championship after dropped scores.
If it ended there and then I would've finished 2nd due to more wins than Mark but there was still 1 more round - Rockingham.
I had driven Rockingham before in 2010 but only once, many people don't like the circuit but I was fine with it - unless it rained. I had scored a 7th and 4th there in 2010 in Roadsport A so was looking to improve on that.
Testing came and went and Mark, Paul and me were within half a second of each other. We had also been joined by the newly crowned Supersport champion Aaron Head who was going well, as was Flick Haigh.
Paul put it on pole in tricky drying conditions - his lap here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUHP1k9PKcU
Flick was second, Mark 3rd, Aaron 4th and me 5th. Race 1, lap 1 looked like this at the start:
If it ended there and then I would've finished 2nd due to more wins than Mark but there was still 1 more round - Rockingham.
I had driven Rockingham before in 2010 but only once, many people don't like the circuit but I was fine with it - unless it rained. I had scored a 7th and 4th there in 2010 in Roadsport A so was looking to improve on that.
Testing came and went and Mark, Paul and me were within half a second of each other. We had also been joined by the newly crowned Supersport champion Aaron Head who was going well, as was Flick Haigh.
Paul put it on pole in tricky drying conditions - his lap here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUHP1k9PKcU
Flick was second, Mark 3rd, Aaron 4th and me 5th. Race 1, lap 1 looked like this at the start:
Long overdue update:
From 5th on the grid I got a good start and managed to grab second but was off line going into turn 1. Flick snuck down the inside forcing me a little wide and so I was back to 4th after 1 corner. Paul led with Mark second though that changed as Mark was looking quick and took the lead shortly after.
Unfortunately Flick held me up for the first part of the race allowing Paul and Mark to get away up front. By the time I got round her they were too far ahead to mount a challenge so I took third. Mark was now 3 points ahead in the championship and it wasn't looking good for second overall
Some pics, starting with Flick ahead and Aaron Head bearing down on me:
Me in front:
And out by myself:
From 5th on the grid I got a good start and managed to grab second but was off line going into turn 1. Flick snuck down the inside forcing me a little wide and so I was back to 4th after 1 corner. Paul led with Mark second though that changed as Mark was looking quick and took the lead shortly after.
Unfortunately Flick held me up for the first part of the race allowing Paul and Mark to get away up front. By the time I got round her they were too far ahead to mount a challenge so I took third. Mark was now 3 points ahead in the championship and it wasn't looking good for second overall
Some pics, starting with Flick ahead and Aaron Head bearing down on me:
Me in front:
And out by myself:
It's rare that I go out on a race weekend but as it was the last race of the season we decided to have dinner and a few beers. The last thing I remember was having neat vodka poured into my mouth at 2 in the morning - not ideal prep for the race 
Anyway, the race wasn't until early afternoon so despite feeling a little jaded I was feeling good but knew second in the championship would be a long shot. Paul Wilson had won the championship with his result the previous day so he decided to sit this one out.
I was in third on the grid with a gap in front and then Mark who had been very quick all weekend. We both took off and immediately pulled a gap on everyone and went off to have our own little battle. Mark was super quick through the infield and would pull a gap but by staying close enough I would get a tow on the straight and catch up again - just not enough to pass him. As the race went on I noticed his car looking a bit loose and I was keeping pace in the infield and could mount a proper attack on the straight. With about 10 minutes to go I got passed and pulled a little gap. Aaron Head caught us but it stayed like that - I was happy with the win but still a bit disappointed. 10 podiums from 12 races (including 4 wins) and 2 4th places would normally be enough for the championship or even second but not this year. Still I had a ball
Some pictures from the final race weekend:
Anyway, the race wasn't until early afternoon so despite feeling a little jaded I was feeling good but knew second in the championship would be a long shot. Paul Wilson had won the championship with his result the previous day so he decided to sit this one out.
I was in third on the grid with a gap in front and then Mark who had been very quick all weekend. We both took off and immediately pulled a gap on everyone and went off to have our own little battle. Mark was super quick through the infield and would pull a gap but by staying close enough I would get a tow on the straight and catch up again - just not enough to pass him. As the race went on I noticed his car looking a bit loose and I was keeping pace in the infield and could mount a proper attack on the straight. With about 10 minutes to go I got passed and pulled a little gap. Aaron Head caught us but it stayed like that - I was happy with the win but still a bit disappointed. 10 podiums from 12 races (including 4 wins) and 2 4th places would normally be enough for the championship or even second but not this year. Still I had a ball
Some pictures from the final race weekend:
So that was my 2012 race season - one of the most challenging amateur race series in the country and I had managed 3rd Though I didn't feel it initially I was really happy.
As with all racing I needed a bit of help from my friends. I punch well above my weight being able to race at all but with the following people it turned out nice
A special thanks to:
Paul Aitken, Anat and all the guys at borro
Peter Young and my mechanic Rob Wells at Spy Motorsport
Ben Tompkins and Mark Farmer, great team mates and good friends
Mickey Singh for painting the car. After hearing about my crash at Silverstone the first thing he said was "don't worry, we'll fix it..."
Kieren Clark, the most impatient but motivating race instructor I have met!
So now what? I put a deposit down on the R600 upgrade kit which we all know didn't happen so the car was sold and is being pilotted by David Bearman in the R300 championship this year. Me, well I've gone halves on a Ginetta G50
Though I didn't feel it initially I was really happy. As with all racing I needed a bit of help from my friends. I punch well above my weight being able to race at all but with the following people it turned out nice
A special thanks to:
Paul Aitken, Anat and all the guys at borro
Peter Young and my mechanic Rob Wells at Spy Motorsport
Ben Tompkins and Mark Farmer, great team mates and good friends
Mickey Singh for painting the car. After hearing about my crash at Silverstone the first thing he said was "don't worry, we'll fix it..."
Kieren Clark, the most impatient but motivating race instructor I have met!
So now what? I put a deposit down on the R600 upgrade kit which we all know didn't happen so the car was sold and is being pilotted by David Bearman in the R300 championship this year. Me, well I've gone halves on a Ginetta G50
pw32 said:
Good read Payneeee. As I said many times, you did bloody well. Frankly though, you shouldn't of bought that G50 but come back and given it a second season!
Thanks mate, hindsight is a wonderful thing! I will make a return if I can get some funding and Caterham sort out the R600 Well it turns out I did return. After a bit of fun in the Ginetta (great to drive but class racing isn't for me) I sold my half of the car and bought another R300.
The new car was nearly brand new, built in March 2013 and had competed in just 2 races. The plan was to do a bit of testing and make a proper assault on the 2014 championship. Here she is:
Like all good plans things never exactly work out. With talk of a sequential upgrade for next year I am re-evaluating after finding out the cost (£6300 + VAT!!!).
On a lighter note when I bought the car the previous owner had already entered the final round at Silverstone International and let it go with the car. borro are still sponsoring me so I decided to enter. Long story short, I qualified 11th in the wet and finished race 1 in P5. Not bad after nearly a year out of a R300.
In race 2 I had a good battle after dropping back to 9th (David in my old car hit me and then let me back through) and finished 3rd. I held the fastest lap until the last lap too
The car is now for sale just in case I don't race next year so we'll see. I have a meeting with borro on Thursday so fingers crossed they will support me in 2014 - what in shall is to be decided - any suggestions...?
The new car was nearly brand new, built in March 2013 and had competed in just 2 races. The plan was to do a bit of testing and make a proper assault on the 2014 championship. Here she is:
Like all good plans things never exactly work out. With talk of a sequential upgrade for next year I am re-evaluating after finding out the cost (£6300 + VAT!!!).
On a lighter note when I bought the car the previous owner had already entered the final round at Silverstone International and let it go with the car. borro are still sponsoring me so I decided to enter. Long story short, I qualified 11th in the wet and finished race 1 in P5. Not bad after nearly a year out of a R300.
In race 2 I had a good battle after dropping back to 9th (David in my old car hit me and then let me back through
) and finished 3rd. I held the fastest lap until the last lap too 
The car is now for sale just in case I don't race next year so we'll see. I have a meeting with borro on Thursday so fingers crossed they will support me in 2014 - what in shall is to be decided - any suggestions...?
Ian, I've just read the whole thread and what a read it was. It seems like you're fairly handy behind the wheel of an R300 so my suggestion would be go for it in 2014 if you can just about afford it. Who knows, you may be able to finish the season as a champion.
I would give my left testicle to be able to race in some sort of motorsport but it's an expensive game and not made for a chap standing at 6'5" tall!!
What options do you have at this stage then?
I would give my left testicle to be able to race in some sort of motorsport but it's an expensive game and not made for a chap standing at 6'5" tall!!
What options do you have at this stage then?
longfellow said:
Ian, I've just read the whole thread and what a read it was. It seems like you're fairly handy behind the wheel of an R300 so my suggestion would be go for it in 2014 if you can just about afford it. Who knows, you may be able to finish the season as a champion.
I would give my left testicle to be able to race in some sort of motorsport but it's an expensive game and not made for a chap standing at 6'5" tall!!
What options do you have at this stage then?
Hi Henry,I would give my left testicle to be able to race in some sort of motorsport but it's an expensive game and not made for a chap standing at 6'5" tall!!
What options do you have at this stage then?
Thanks for your kind words. I've been racing Caterham's for 4 years and steadily improved but a championship has escaped me so far. There were talks of people spending £60-70k in 2012 and I managed to do it with £18k which included the borro sponsorship. I could find that again (just!) but the gearbox upgrade throws in an expensive curve ball.
To help fund the racing I've just set up this: www.ptsportscars.com so if we sell a few cars I'll be racing
By the way, there used to be a chap who was 6'6" who raced so I'm sure we could shoe-horn you in My options are to stop and take a break, drop down a series to Supersport or go and race something else. The guys at borro are great so I want to make sure I show a return on their investment by a) being at the front and b) getting them as much TV/media exposure as possible. All the Caterham races are televised with the R300's on channel 4 so we'll see
Cheers,
Ian
Thought I'd bump this thread. I was at Brands Hatch last weekend and the programme listed an 'Ian P' that, having read this whole thread, I think might be you?!
So the question is, are you racing in the GT Cup this year? If so, how you getting on? The programme mentioned this 'Ian' was in a Ginetta, which I notice you went halves on one a while back.
May not have been you, but I'd be interested to know if it was!
So the question is, are you racing in the GT Cup this year? If so, how you getting on? The programme mentioned this 'Ian' was in a Ginetta, which I notice you went halves on one a while back.
May not have been you, but I'd be interested to know if it was!
Edited by Keith B on Tuesday 20th May 17:54
It was Ian. I'm sure he'll feel you in to what happened over the weekend if he's reading this but it wasn't good.
I brought my Caterham from Ian a couple of months ago mad he's really passionate about Caterhams and Motorsport and would recommend him if you're looking to buy a caterham .
Jon
I brought my Caterham from Ian a couple of months ago mad he's really passionate about Caterhams and Motorsport and would recommend him if you're looking to buy a caterham .
Jon
I'm famous
It was me, well spotted. I have partnered up with the chap who bought my R300 race car that this thread was built around. We've had mixed luck/success so far and the car looks like this:
I've changed teams too and borro.com are still my main sponsor with David bringing a couple of his own too.
Qualifying at Brands went well and I was 5/100ths of a second from class pole. Pole was taken by a Porsche with about 20% more power than us driven by pro driver, Marcus Clutton.
Lap 2 we were hit from behind and turned around with David driving. This popped the oil pump belt off and the drive back to the pits did the big end and main bearings. Gutted!
The engine is being rebuilt and we will be out at Silverstone on the 7/8th June. Stuart/Keith, if you see the car again come over and say hello
It was me, well spotted. I have partnered up with the chap who bought my R300 race car that this thread was built around. We've had mixed luck/success so far and the car looks like this:
I've changed teams too and borro.com are still my main sponsor with David bringing a couple of his own too.
Qualifying at Brands went well and I was 5/100ths of a second from class pole. Pole was taken by a Porsche with about 20% more power than us driven by pro driver, Marcus Clutton.
Lap 2 we were hit from behind and turned around with David driving. This popped the oil pump belt off and the drive back to the pits did the big end and main bearings. Gutted!
The engine is being rebuilt and we will be out at Silverstone on the 7/8th June. Stuart/Keith, if you see the car again come over and say hello
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