Caterham Cars today reveals plans to add to its well-established motorsport operation, with new ambitions in the karting category.
Thanks to the new Caterham F1 Team and Caterham Racing GP2 squad, the famous British sportscar maker has already made radical extensions to its successful Seven racing formulae.
Now, the introduction of a Caterham Motorsport-run karting championship in 2014, with Caterham’s own designed and developed kart, will provide young drivers with the opportunity to take their first steps in a career in which it will be possible to progress from grassroots racing to the pinnacle of global motorsport.
The organisation of Caterham karting will benefit from the firm’s 26 years of experience in running low-cost, high-value one-make race championships.
Caterham Motorsport Manager, Simon Lambert, said: “We’ve built a strong reputation for providing terrific value for money in motorsport through great cars and a playing field so even you could put a spirit level on it.
“Now we’d like to use this wealth of knowledge and expertise in karting by establishing a cost-effective series that will combine fun, technology and great competition elements that we think are beginning to be overlooked in kart racing.
“With progression possible through the Caterham ‘ladder’ right through to F1, Caterham karting will appeal to those looking to make a career in motorsport but, more importantly, our aim is to target the mass-market of parents and youngsters who would like to race in a competitive and yet affordable karting series which, until now, might have been an unachievable dream. Caterham is determined to make motorsport accessible to everyone.”
Caterham Motorsport established its first one-make championship for the legendary Seven in 1986 and now its UK operation alone features five fully-subscribed series, including the renowned Academy, which is unique in having created almost 1,000 brand new racing drivers since its inception in 1995.
Last year, the Company also unveiled its first sports prototype racer, the SP/300.R, designed to provide an extension for members of the Seven racing fraternity who wish to progress into higher-level sportscar competition. The SP/300.R will star in its own one-make championship starting next season.
More details about the kart series will be revealed in due course throughout 2012.
For register for more information on the karting series please email the Caterham motorsport department.
I am very interested in the Caterham kart series. I have just introduced my son louis (10) to karting and is currently practicing using a junior rotax (minimax). Motorsport has been a passion of mine ever since working at brands hatch as a young lad, finally made it to the grid in 2007 and raced in the mr2 challenge. Please keep me informed of the kart series as this is of interest to me and my son louis.
Regards
Rob Smith
I am extremely pleased to read of Caterham’s aims to introduce a Caterham Motorsport-run karting championship. Reading that the aim is to “target the mass-market of parents and youngsters who would like to race in a competitive and yet affordable karting series which, until now, might have been an unachievable dream”, makes a 17-year old like myself feel overwhelmed that there could be the opportunity to race competitively in a karting series.
From a young age I have always dreamt of having the opportunity to race in motorsport. It has always been clear to my family and peers that I have had potential to be very talented at the sport of karting. However, as stated above, it can be an exceedingly expensive sport to get into and unfortunately the dream of being able to prove myself behind the wheel has not happened for me. I continue to visit my local indoor karting arena (Rayleigh Indoor Karting) and set fastest lap times, hoping that I will be given the opportunity to escalate to a higher level of the sport.
I will be following any updates on this post and look forward to finding out more.
Jordan,
Essex
UK
I beleive that it is an extremely clever movement from your company and here in Greece where I am the owner & the manager of a kart track based in Aspropirgos near to Athens we will support this project.
These last 3 years I am already in Caterham’s world with an R300 model’05 driving in many track days here in Greece.
If your company wants in the future to find a way to cooperate with us and promot energetic in the track either the trackday cars especially Roadsport & Supersport or your future project with the racing kart do not hesitate to contact with us.
We will be delighted to help Caterham expand in Greece where low cost motorsport entertainnment for sure is quite interesting these days…!!
Looking forward for your news.
It is excellent to see a comprehensive ladder encouraged by such an exciting brand.
Can’t wait for next year
A Caterham cart – brilliant. Any thought being given to selling a cart in kit form? Given Caterham’s expertise in this area and teenagers interest in building things they get to use, there might be a business opportunity?
having built a Roadsport last winter with my 2 sons both of whom are now at university doing engineering courses (one doing motorsport engineering)I look forward to the Caterham karting series and would be particularly interested if there was the possibility to built the karts from Caterham kits having enjoyed building the Roadsport so much! (by the way way my sons now want me to build an R300 !!!!!)
Mr. Chapman et al would and should be proud of such a professional undertaking.Money has ruined F-1 and politics ( in that order?) and it is refreshing to see a level field that will showcase talent; don’t be surprised to see Tony Stewart put this show on in America! My foster brother is the Mid-Atlantic Caterham dealer in Delaware. I am 60 years old and my wife thinks I’m crazy as I want to build one of your kits. Bucket list? A society remains great when old men build things their grandchildren will enjoy. N.B.: slightly modified from the ‘Greeks and shade trees…’ quote.As always lads, keep up the good work.
I am very interested in this new Karting series and would like information as soon as it is available.
I am very interested in the Caterham kart series. I use to race karts and Castle Combe and was extremely competative. I am also an active member of the U17CC, and attended your own caterham day end of last year. Please keep me informed of the kart series as this is of interest to me.
Regards
Luke Ready
My name is Isima Musa, i’ve been looking for a karting championship which my family can afford and that is not too expensive. My aim is to get to formula 1 and with the backing of caterham, I believe I can.
Hopefully it’s not one of those championships where I need to already hold a racing license. I’ve been karting here and there but my dad is refusing to waste his money on my karting career and as a 13 year old, I cant rely on myself to fund it so hopefully you’ll see where I’m coming from and the determenination and self belief I have in my self to sucseed
Anyway please get back to me with some good new about the championship.
I am extremely interested in this karting series, for a long time scince i was 7 (i am now 18) i have continued to improve in kart racing at the north devon karting track and have gotten to the stage where i am often winning against the guys who work there and know the course inch for inch, as many have stated it would be good idea to introduce this as a kit form, as some have also mentioned it gives a scence of pride after you have built your kart and take it for a spin for the first time, as well as the fact that if your into racing you must like getting your hands dirty and a kit would do just that. keep us all informed i look forward to seeing updates in the future.
Thanks, Chris Brewster
We need a kart pls.
My sons been on track 3 times & the adults cant catch him.
Hes 9 & needs to be in a kart!!
Specially a caterham kart- the cheque book is ready