Track car advice

[PHOENIXUK]

Hello;
Considered a Radical however after some thoughts a high end Caterham may be the right way for me to go. Currently run a very quick GT2 as a track car but fancy something more...... Anyhow, I am drawn to the latest R500 (nearly new not new) but this CSR has also caught my eye, as I said the car will be a 95% track car, thoughts and advice on these 2 cars would be appreciated.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3848857.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3444720.htm

Also I run the GT2 on slicks when prudent are there track day rules concerning Caterham's and slicks?

[Shaun_E]

Personally I would go the R500 route for track only. The CSR is a fair bit heavier and although it is no slouch round a circuit I think the R500 would be quicker. The CSR has the 2.3 engine and has more low down torque whereas the R500 has a 2.0 engine and is more of a screamer. You might want the 6 speed sequential which is an option with the R500.
I have no experience of slicks on a 7 but some track day organisers might insist on a rollcage - personally I would fit a cage anyway if you are intending mostly track use. Go for the Superlight cage rather than the roadsport version.

[pikeyboy]

R500 with full cage, I'd have the sequential too for track use but they aren't too everyones taste as they can be clunky.

Re running slicks some do but make sure you understand any geo changes needed if they are cross ply when returning to treaded tyres which will be radials.

Will you be driving or trailering to the circuit?


.

[James.S]

If it is for track use i would go witht the 500. Sadly, the CSR must run 15" rims in road trim and are often specced for touring as per the one in your advert.

For track use i wouldn't bother with slicks, use ZZR's for the dry nad CR500's in the wet. Actually - CR500's will be fine in the dry as well and you won't need to keep messing with the setup. Others options are full cage, tillets and sequetial box. You will also need the trackday airbox. Once you have the car get it flat floored for you at one of the race teams like Fauldsport.

If it is track only try and find a CSR race car, possibly the ultimate track Caterham.

Good luck
J

[PHOENIXUK]

James.S said:

If it is for track use i would go witht the 500. Sadly, the CSR must run 15" rims in road trim and are often specced for touring as per the one in your advert.

For track use i wouldn't bother with slicks, use ZZR's for the dry nad CR500's in the wet. Actually - CR500's will be fine in the dry as well and you won't need to keep messing with the setup. Others options are full cage, tillets and sequetial box. You will also need the trackday airbox. Once you have the car get it flat floored for you at one of the race teams like Fauldsport.

If it is track only try and find a CSR race car, possibly the ultimate track Caterham.

Good luck
J

Thanks for the reply, car would be 95% track but my little lad will want to go in it so it will need to be road legal so R500 looks like the route, the car I put in the link above appears to pretty much have the full spec at what appears to me (someone with fook all knowledge) a reasonable price compared to new. Other than obvious crash damage and thing else I should be looking out for? Also any anyone had any dealings with TrackVRoad as they would appear to be the closest dealer to me. Thanks.

[James.S]

No experience of them, although they are 'localish' to me.

I would speak to CC as well.

Only neg i can see is on the 500 at trackvsport is the roadsport rollcage which looks crap without a windscreen - and no windscreen is a must. Car needs an SLR rollcage, not mega money but you can get CC to change the spec of the car in the deal.

If it was me i would buy one with FIA track bar, screen and doors etc. Then whip them of nad fit deflector, half doors and SLR cage. This way car will be cracking on the track but still sell to a road user when time comes to sell it - you can stick the cage on ebay if the next owner doesn't want it.

J