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Fast Caterham


AndyB

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I love watching this vid especially mid winter, good times to come.

 

Of the 14k plus hits on that video, 20 plus are probably mine . . . that's has to be one of my most favorite 7 vids. :iagree:

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I have not seen that video before but having driven Spa last year I can see this video is pre-F1 modifications made in 2012. The new F1 pits are not there and the area at the end of Blanchimont straight is the old Bus Stop layout.

 

I am curious what spec car he is driving? He has a lot of straight-line power that others do not and that strikes me as it cannot be all one class racing. The other thing that gives it away is that he backs off on Blanchimont corner and Eau Rouge . I worked out how to get through Blanchimont flat out with out lifting in an R300 (180hp) and was very close to doing the same on Eau Rouge.

 

Top driving for all of that! I love that circuit.

 

I need to dig out the video of the R300 lap record set and held by Jonny at Bookatrack. That was one hell of a race too.

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Mike,

Slightly off topic but Spa is on my bucket list. Wondering how you drove on it, got a car to use etc... Have seen RSR spa rentals. Gotta get to Eau Rouge!!

 

Jim

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That Mike Solan video was in 2005, in a mega graduate. So he should have 140 hp.

 

Then that makes no sense. He is backing way off throttle on corners where he would not have to lift at all with only 140hp. Puzzle for later I guess.

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Mike,

Slightly off topic but Spa is on my bucket list. Wondering how you drove on it, got a car to use etc... Have seen RSR spa rentals. Gotta get to Eau Rouge!!

 

Jim

 

Hi Jim,

 

I recommend you go through BookaTrack.

 

http://www.bookatrack.com/event-calendar

 

They operate the finest track days I have ever attended. Open pit lane format - not crowded at all. Passing only on straights on the left. At Spa there is no point by as there is a 80+mph speed differential between the fast and slow cars on the long straight.

 

They have 10 Caterhams R300 spec (2 x SV chassis 8 x S3) for rent at their own events and other track day operator events. R300, Duratec 180hp, 6 sp, 13", stripped out race cars, tillet buckets or foam rubber seat. Visually a little beaten up but mechanically are very well looked after. Fully supported - you turn up and drive and it includes a session of free instruction. They have a spare should your assigned car break. Jonny LeRoux in the video above runs BaT - a top quality guy. Great driver and a brilliant sense of humor. It is not cheap....but it is bucket list so....and BaT provide a good quality experience. You do need to book and pay well in advance - I missed out on the July events when they opened in December! Driving quality is usually pretty good and well mannered. You have to register to see the prices and you will what types of cars they get booked in for the event.

 

I have booked for the November 2014 Spa weekend. I was too slow to book the summer double header with Zandvoort but am on the wait list and expect that it will clear. I am also booked for Donnington and Anglesey in May/June. Who wants to join me? :driving:

 

RSR has turned up with rental cars at BaT events. Well supported and organized. A quality outfit. I have only seen them rent Porsche at Spa. They also run their own track days but are more European in style which you may not like...

 

We can talk by phone offline if you want to find out more.

 

 

As a bucket list item Spa is worth it. I am still in awe of the hour I had on track virtually by myself with maybe only one or two other cars early Sunday morning when I was last there.

 

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I did a lap at Spa also--took me about 35 minutes! Before the 1989 Tour de France, amateur cyclists were warming up for a race, so I got out my Cannondale R400... Later, the peloton came in from Luxembourg, after riding nearly 100 KM, did three laps for a total of about 12 minutes or something like that. Great day....

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Mike,

Thanks for the reply. Have never heard of them but look like a great outfit.

 

My wife wants to go to Paris. I've got no interest. Course she has no interest in Spa. Sounds like a deal in the making!

 

Maybe catch you at NJMP one day.

 

Thanks again,

Jim

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