Tuesday 7th June 2011

Come Test The New Caterham SP/300.R

Test drive dates set for forthcoming super-fast Caterham

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Caterham has released a series of dates for potential customers to test its new SP/300.R sports prototype.

Eager amateur racers and track day enthusiasts (in other words potential owners) can get their hands on the new £60k, 300bhp, 180mph Radical-alike racer on the following dates:

• Saturday, 27 August 27 at Donington Park
• Wednesday, 7 September at Donington Park
• Thursday, 15 September at Snetterton
• Wednesday, 21 September at Donington Park

But be quick though, because Caterham says it is giving priority to customers with orders already placed, after which people who have merely 'registered interest' will be offered a quick test drive.

Since it was launched at Autosport show in January, 14 of the 25 Caterham-Lola SP/300.Rs due to be be built this year have already been sold.

Caterham Motorsport Manager, Simon Lambert, said: "There has been a huge amount of interest in this car since we unveiled it at the start of the year. It will be fantastic to get it on track this summer and we can't wait to see the look on people's faces when they try it for the first time. We are confident it will be everything they expect and more."

In addition to these test dates, Caterham has also revealed that The SP/300.R will be built in a newly-equipped facility next to Caterham's existing factory in Kennet Road, Dartford.

 

 

[PaulMoor]

I find it a little worrying that they have not sold all of the first years yet. Hopefully they will manage to shift all of them, and I'm glad to see they have a new factory. Fingers crossed its not another 21.

[TheDeadPrussian]

I'm pretty sure they will sell the first years' allocation without too much trouble. I think many people are just waiting to drive the car.
There are a fair few of the current Caterham race series drivers (R300, Supersports et al) who may be looking to move up to the next challenge, and as it is such a departure from the 7 it should attract those who might otherwise have moved in to a Radical etc as well.

Caterham have an enormous amount of experience in the organisation and running of successful race series – so this will also act as a draw to potential customers / racers.

Here’s hoping it’s a roaring success.

[cliffie]

Race series planned for them and I am sure Caterham has their plans well in place.

To sell 14 cars already when no potential owners have driven the car yet is very impressive. They sold 6 at Autosport international over four days when it was released so things bode well for them.

[suffolk009]

Isn't that a Team Lotus?

(well, somebody had to say it...)

[dinkel]

The Crack Fox said:

. . . A bit hardcore . . .

Lovely.

[Transmitter Man]

How does this compare to the nearest Radical, power, weight and price wise?

Phil

[Gruffy]

Transmitter Man said:

How does this compare to the nearest Radical, power, weight and price wise?

Phil

A bit heavier. Quite a bit more power. Quicker. A bit more expensive (but fits in between the SR4 and the SR8 really).

Very tempting. I wonder what it would take to get a license plate on it

[scubadude]

PaulMoor said:

Fingers crossed its not another 21.

Harsh (but possibly true) I think the 21 is a beautiful car, such a shame it didn't really do the numbers.

[Mr Sparkle]

Gruffy said:

Transmitter Man said:

How does this compare to the nearest Radical, power, weight and price wise?

Phil

A bit heavier. Quite a bit more power. Quicker. A bit more expensive (but fits in between the SR4 and the SR8 really).

Very tempting. I wonder what it would take to get a license plate on it

Until we see a test I think it is hard to say which would be quicker, ie. the Caterham might be sacrificing downforce for top speed. It would be interesting to know how the aerodynamics compare.

Come on PH (or any other hypermarket publication) we want a comparison test.

[Wayney]

Saw this car in the flesh at the Autosport show and it it goes any thing like it looks! It should be a bealter

[obscene]

Now THAT is MENTAL. WANT.

[M666 EVO]

The Crack Fox said:

Good luck to 'em. A bit hardcore for me, but it's nice to see a UK company doing well.

+100

[dinkel]

Take this - and a few other track tools - to Snett and do the track test.

Should be fun and we wanty!