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Picked up a 2016 Caterham Roadsport (125bhp, R version) this morning. First track day with it is booked for the 16th Feb but thought I would have a blat around the local area after driving it back home.
I've hired a few for track days, but never driven one on the road (apart from the test drives to get this one). Initial thoughts...
Future upgrades I'm thinking of - shift lights, a power upgrade to 152 bhp, maybe better brakes (vented discs etc), and a trailer to take it around tracks further from home.
Let the mid life crisis begin!
PS For those inclined to small light sports cars, let me introduce you to an Aladdins cave of wonders :
I've hired a few for track days, but never driven one on the road (apart from the test drives to get this one). Initial thoughts...
- Getting in and out, particularly with a full cage requires planning and practice. There is no way to get in gracefully with the hood on, you just have to kind of leap in head first and shuffle around.
- Driving a Caterham in January is a really very cold thing to do
- When its raining, you get less wet the faster you go. There's an incentive!
- Earplugs needed for the motorway. The constant drone is awful when there's nothing to distract you.
- Stop start through town is not fun, except for the admiring looks. A guy took a picture of the car when I stopped to fill up at my local petrol station. Bet you don't get that with a 911...
- Driving on back roads is sublime - low to the ground, great communication from the chassis and suspension, no power steering getting in the way. So so much fun, even at lower speeds.
- The low weight plus naturally aspirated engine is a joy to behold - throttle response is perfect, pulling in a lovely linear way up through the rev range. Bliss!
- The engine bay is lovely and roomy and well set out - simple maintenance tasks should be easy.
Future upgrades I'm thinking of - shift lights, a power upgrade to 152 bhp, maybe better brakes (vented discs etc), and a trailer to take it around tracks further from home.
Let the mid life crisis begin!
PS For those inclined to small light sports cars, let me introduce you to an Aladdins cave of wonders :