How entertaining is the CSR260 on a track?
Discussion
I'm trying to decide if I should be looking at a second hand CSR260 or a new R400. I've read the R400 will be harder work (in a fun way) on the track than the CSR.
I'm after something to use on the track (4-5 times a year) and for odd days out and fun runs in the summer. I like the sound of the more planted CSR for road use but I'm not sure about for track use. The CSR has more pace on the straights but the R400 is likely to be more fun and faster in the corners.
Does anyone driven a CSR on track days? If so what is it like?
I'm after something to use on the track (4-5 times a year) and for odd days out and fun runs in the summer. I like the sound of the more planted CSR for road use but I'm not sure about for track use. The CSR has more pace on the straights but the R400 is likely to be more fun and faster in the corners.
Does anyone driven a CSR on track days? If so what is it like?
Both will be fun on track - how they handle will be a function of set up and tyres. E.g. if you want to hang the tail out round corners, raise the rear ride height and/or stiffen the rear suspension and/or slightly over-inflate the rear tyres and/or fit narrower rear tyres, etc.
All things being equal, the CSR may feel a little more planted while the R400 might feel a fraction more chuckable.
Otherwise performance will be similar - the CSR 260 has more power but is also slightly heavier. With full independent rear suspension, most people reckon the CSR has the better ride and perhaps a fraction more grip on rough & tumble real roads. On track, you're going to have to be a pretty good driver to exploit either to limit.
Would the R400 be the SV version? If not then note that the CSR is noticeably wider than the standard chassis. If, like me, you are "generously proportioned" then you will find the wider cockpit & greater space around the pedals in the CSR a distinct advantage. Sit in both if you haven't already done so.
All things being equal, the CSR may feel a little more planted while the R400 might feel a fraction more chuckable.
Otherwise performance will be similar - the CSR 260 has more power but is also slightly heavier. With full independent rear suspension, most people reckon the CSR has the better ride and perhaps a fraction more grip on rough & tumble real roads. On track, you're going to have to be a pretty good driver to exploit either to limit.
Would the R400 be the SV version? If not then note that the CSR is noticeably wider than the standard chassis. If, like me, you are "generously proportioned" then you will find the wider cockpit & greater space around the pedals in the CSR a distinct advantage. Sit in both if you haven't already done so.
If i go the superlight route i'd be looking at the standard chassis and try to keep the weight down.
I'm 6 ft 1 (average build) with size 12 feet so i'm a little concerned about peddle and leg room but i'm going to try them on for size to settle that.
Its just the driving feel i'm trying to get a handle on which is something you can't know for sure till you put your own car on the track.
I'm 6 ft 1 (average build) with size 12 feet so i'm a little concerned about peddle and leg room but i'm going to try them on for size to settle that.
Its just the driving feel i'm trying to get a handle on which is something you can't know for sure till you put your own car on the track.
Rocket_Man said:
If i go the superlight route i'd be looking at the standard chassis and try to keep the weight down.
I'm 6 ft 1 (average build) with size 12 feet so i'm a little concerned about peddle and leg room but i'm going to try them on for size to settle that.
Its just the driving feel i'm trying to get a handle on which is something you can't know for sure till you put your own car on the track.
Don't worry about that, I'm 6'5", about 16 stone with size 13 feet and fit in an SLR!I'm 6 ft 1 (average build) with size 12 feet so i'm a little concerned about peddle and leg room but i'm going to try them on for size to settle that.
Its just the driving feel i'm trying to get a handle on which is something you can't know for sure till you put your own car on the track.
With your feet, you'll need race boots or similar to comfortably/safely drive a standard chassis caterham. The CSR has a wider pedal box and you should be OK in lightweight ordinary footwear.
In both cases you may need to meddle with the individual pedal positions to get it just right.
In summary, both will do what you want. Sit in both, the different size/space may make the decision for you. If not then by a very small margin, I think the R400 might be the right choice if lobbing it sideways around a track is your criteria, but properly set up, the CSR will be slightly quicker around the track...
In both cases you may need to meddle with the individual pedal positions to get it just right.
In summary, both will do what you want. Sit in both, the different size/space may make the decision for you. If not then by a very small margin, I think the R400 might be the right choice if lobbing it sideways around a track is your criteria, but properly set up, the CSR will be slightly quicker around the track...
How many people have actually driven a CSR260 on track to make a valid opinion ?
A standard 7 may be different to drive, as it moves around move than the CSR which feels more planted, but it will be no faster, (r500 excluded)
At Spa last year the 2 standard csr 260's we had there were by far the quickest 7's there including several track car's on slicks.
If the CSR ticks all the boxes for road use for you, it won't dissapoint on track if you know how to pedal it along
A standard 7 may be different to drive, as it moves around move than the CSR which feels more planted, but it will be no faster, (r500 excluded)
At Spa last year the 2 standard csr 260's we had there were by far the quickest 7's there including several track car's on slicks.
If the CSR ticks all the boxes for road use for you, it won't dissapoint on track if you know how to pedal it along
Give me a couple of months and i will be able to answer my own question. I've put a deposit on a second hand CSR260 and pick it up this Friday!
I sat in several different models and decided I wanted the extra foot room around the peddles (height more than anything). The tillet seats in the SLR i tried were the most uncomfortable thing I've ever sat in so also decided the leather option was for me. Based on this, and my intended use of the car, the CSR260 seemed like the best option.
I just need to sort a silencer and a camera system before going for some track fun. Until then I'll be out catching some sun (fingers crossed) around my local B-roads
I sat in several different models and decided I wanted the extra foot room around the peddles (height more than anything). The tillet seats in the SLR i tried were the most uncomfortable thing I've ever sat in so also decided the leather option was for me. Based on this, and my intended use of the car, the CSR260 seemed like the best option.
I just need to sort a silencer and a camera system before going for some track fun. Until then I'll be out catching some sun (fingers crossed) around my local B-roads
Rocket_Man said:
Give me a couple of months and i will be able to answer my own question. I've put a deposit on a second hand CSR260 and pick it up this Friday!
I sat in several different models and decided I wanted the extra foot room around the peddles (height more than anything). The tillet seats in the SLR i tried were the most uncomfortable thing I've ever sat in so also decided the leather option was for me. Based on this, and my intended use of the car, the CSR260 seemed like the best option.
I just need to sort a silencer and a camera system before going for some track fun. Until then I'll be out catching some sun (fingers crossed) around my local B-roads
good for you. www.vio-pov.com are the cameras I use. Bloody excellent bits of kit. Half the cateram racers use them now as well. Action Cameras are the UK disty.I sat in several different models and decided I wanted the extra foot room around the peddles (height more than anything). The tillet seats in the SLR i tried were the most uncomfortable thing I've ever sat in so also decided the leather option was for me. Based on this, and my intended use of the car, the CSR260 seemed like the best option.
I just need to sort a silencer and a camera system before going for some track fun. Until then I'll be out catching some sun (fingers crossed) around my local B-roads
www.youtube.com/user/plwls if you want some example footage.
Paul
Hi Dave,
I converted to the quaife sequential at the begining of last year. Being a straight-cut dog box it sounds like a bag of nails but its also as tough as old boots and works very well. Not sure I'd entirely recommend it for road use because of the noise (each to their own tho') but I believe quaife may be doing a helical-cut version which might be better for mixed road/track use.
I converted to the quaife sequential at the begining of last year. Being a straight-cut dog box it sounds like a bag of nails but its also as tough as old boots and works very well. Not sure I'd entirely recommend it for road use because of the noise (each to their own tho') but I believe quaife may be doing a helical-cut version which might be better for mixed road/track use.
Planted & focused are more to do with the setup on a particluar car than anything else. If i could afford it I would have a CSR race car on slicks over any variant of SLR standard width chassis.
I hate the words planted and focused incidentally as they mean nothing.
I hate the words planted and focused incidentally as they mean nothing.
Edited by James.S on Tuesday 21st April 14:30
Entertaining is again another widely used word that means little. Do you want the car to be supple, stiff, figity, hang the back stc stc, all of which really have more to do with setup. Most drivers will never get near the limits of either car on a track day.
Both cars will entertain immensely on a track, but then so would riding in a perambulator whith a bunch of drunk tarts.....lol
Both cars will entertain immensely on a track, but then so would riding in a perambulator whith a bunch of drunk tarts.....lol
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff