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    Guest
    Caterham Cars continued its global expansion yesterday when it launched its much acclaimed Superlight R300 Championship at Sepang International Circuit.
    The circuit, which hosts the World's best drivers for the Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix each year, will see a grid of 16 or more race prepared R300s do battle in what is considered to be one of the closest and most competitive championships in motorsport.
    With their proven 175bhp Ford Duratec 2.0-litre engines and dedicated race chassis, the R300 Championship is currently the ultimate Caterham Seven series.
    The expansion of the R300 Championship, having established itself as one of the finest motorsport series in the UK and Europe, will see the existing formula replicated in Malaysia but will be held exclusively at the Sepang circuit. The new championship will be backed by Air Asia with the first race weekend commencing in May 2012.
    Ansar Ali, Chief Executive of Caterham Cars, said: "We're hugely excited to be officially launching the championship and demonstrating how fantastic Caterham Seven racing is, especially at such a renowned circuit which the Formula 1 drivers enjoy so much.
    "We already have plans to expand the grids to over 40 cars in the coming years; we know how much appetite there is for motorsport in the East and this is a terrific platform on which to continue expanding our motorsport and road car business in this part of the world."
    As well as Ansar Ali, Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of Air Asia and owner of Caterham Cars, was also in attendance during yesterday's event which marked the official announcement of the championship.
    Operating the series will be Caterham Motorsport's Malaysian partner, the prominent Thunder Asia Racing Team, run by Raja Zaini. It will manage race package sales, build the race vehicles, provide technical support, transport and race organisation.
    Steve Winterberg

    Lowflying December

    By Steve Winterberg, in Lowflying,

    In this issue:
    Picture gallery: a slice of life from the fridge door • News and events • Welcome to new members • Calling Avon, part 2: some common questions about tyres answered • Not exclusively Sevens! part 1 of James Whiting’s story • Lotus Seven Club Speed Championship: a brief review of the season and the reflections of the winners • The best winter upgrade : skating on thick ice – in a car… • Top gear: a little bit of Club history • Nuke-the-Leuk: the latest fundraising news • Area meetings directory • Diary of events • Classified advertisements • Cover photograph by Peter Haslam
    Guest
    Caterham Cars, showcased its renowned Seven model recently when The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited East Surrey College's new £62 million campus.
    The state-of-the-art building, which includes a substantial motor vehicle workshop, was officially unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on 18 November.
    The Royal tour included a viewing of the College's engineering bays, where the Caterham was located, which form an integral part of the new facility’s emphasis on engineering and make possible a number of new full- and part-time courses.
    "The launch was a huge success and we were pleased to be able to promote engineering by demonstrating the type of projects our students will be working on. As a British manufactured car, the Caterham Seven attracted a lot of attention," said Jayne Dickinson, Acting Principal, East Surrey College
    Andy Noble, Sales & Marketing Manager at Caterham Cars said; "Caterham has always been about experiencing cars, not just looking at them, and this is the same philosophy present at East Surrey College. Students can really ignite their passion and skills for motoring with these new state-of-the-art facilities and we feel honoured to have been asked to be part of such a prestigious launch."
    Photos by Sara Everett, HND Digital Photography Student - East Surrey College
    Guest
    Four divisions to carry Caterham name
    Caterham Group has officially been confirmed as the parent company name for the range of automotive, motor racing, technology and innovation companies that sit within a single business under the stewardship of Group CEO, Riad Asmat.
    Eight months after the purchase of Caterham Cars, Chairman, Tony Fernandes, announced the creation of the new umbrella brand at the Brazil Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.
    "We have been talking for some time now about our plans for Caterham in all its guises, from the road car company to Formula 1 and GP2, and in the technology, design and innovation fields. Now, with the announcement about the rebranding in Formula One to Caterham F1 Team for 2012 and beyond, we are in a position to give a much more in-depth explanation of how the Caterham Group is taking shape," explained Fernandes.
     
    At launch, Caterham Group consists of four main areas: Caterham Cars, Caterham F1 Team, Caterham Technology & Innovation (CTI) and Caterham Composites. More business identities will be added in the future.
    Explaining the philosophy of Caterham Group, Fernandes, said: "This range of business interests provides us a very strong foothold in a number of growth sectors, staffed with teams of people with a strong mix of experience, youth, creativity and passion. In short, we have all the right ingredients in place to do some incredibly exciting things in markets that are ripe for innovation and new ideas."
    Under the guidance of Chief Executive, Ansar Ali, Caterham Cars has not only been busy expanding into new markets like India and China, readying the exciting SP/300.R sports prototype for 2012, but laying the foundations for a completely new product range that will see the first all-new Caterham road car launched in 2014.
    In terms of Caterham F1 Team, which includes Caterham Racing as the new name for the Group's GP2 outfit, Fernandes said: "This is the new and permanent incarnation of our Formula One investment. On and off track we continue to invest in people, infrastructure and technology, and 2012 is a critical year in our development."
    The F1 team will also act as a focal point for a development programme that encompasses 700 plus Caterham Seven racers around the world and various motor racing formulae from karting, GP3, World Series by Renault and up to F1 - a staircase of talent that gives opportunities for drivers, engineers, mechanics and all the associated skill-sets across the motorsport industry the chance to learn, develop and reach the top.
    The third strand of Caterham Group is Caterham Technology & Innovation (CTI) which was launched in September.
    In addition to assisting Caterham Cars on the development of the next generation of accessible and affordable sportscars, the rapidly expanding team of engineering experts in their field is already beginning to undertake advanced projects for external companies operating within the automotive and aerospace sectors, including a radical new in-flight entertainment system.
    Caterham Composites completes the newly formed business.
    Under the stewardship of Mike Gascoyne, who will combine his role as CTO of Caterham F1 Team with that of CEO of Caterham Composites, the company is already working on projects across the aerospace, nautical, motorsport and automotive industries.
     
    "With those four arms in place, and more to be announced in due course, we have a dynamic group of businesses already working together that gives a clear vision of what our long-term strategy is in their respective fields, and as one entity under Caterham Group," Fernandes added.
    "The Group will be based across a number of centres of excellence - Caterham Cars, Caterham F1 Team and our motorsport interests will be based in one location that we are close to announcing, and our technology and composites interests will be based in Norfolk.
     
    With those plans now complete we have the foundations in place for long-term growth and success, and now we are in complete control of our own destiny. We have a very exciting future ahead of us and are all looking forward to seeing the rewards of our hard work pay off for many years to come."
    Guest

    Team Lotus/Group Lotus Statement

    By Guest, in Lotus,

    Proton, Group Lotus, 1Malaysia Racing Team and its owner Tony Fernandes are delighted to announce that the legal dispute in the English Courts relating to the "LOTUS" and "TEAM LOTUS" brands has now ended amicably with the parties agreeing settlement terms earlier this month.
    The terms of the settlement are confidential but the deal sees the "LOTUS" brand reunited under the sole ownership of Group Lotus. This includes the rights to the "LOTUS" and "TEAM LOTUS" names in Formula 1 motor racing.
    1MRT will race in the 2012 Formula 1 season under the name "CATERHAM F1 TEAM" and will use a "CATERHAM" chassis.
    The deal also sees a working relationship established between the parties and they will work together on future projects in the automotive field.
    Group Lotus Chief Executive Officer Dany Bahar: "On behalf of Group Lotus and Proton I would like to express how pleased we are that this matter is finally closed and we can now focus on looking forward to the future.
    "We understand that this has been a very difficult and confusing time for the fans of the sport and the Lotus brand so we are glad to have reached a clear resolution on this important matter - I would like to take this opportunity to thank our fans for their continued support, it means everything to us."
    Riad Asmat, Group CEO: "We are proud of what we have achieved by bringing the Team Lotus name back to Formula One when many tried and although we are sad to say goodbye to Team Lotus we are excited about owning our own future and being in control of our own destiny. Now we have no one to be compared to. We make our own history and we will remain green and yellow.
    "Now we look forward to an exciting future racing under our new team name of Caterham F1 Team. Please continue to support our very special spirit of never say die and support us on the track as we move up the field and demonstrate that the good do win."
    Steve Winterberg

    Lowflying November

    By Steve Winterberg, in Lowflying,

    In this issue:
    Picture gallery: a slice of life from the fridge door • News and events • Welcome to new members • Team talk • Le Mans 2012: the 24-hours and Le Mans Classic • Readers’ drives: searching for your favourite blats • Dressed for action: looking at helmets and racewear • New feature: Seven people • A mountain to climb: no Sevens, but one heck of an adventure • Calling Avon: visiting the famous tyre manufacturer • Footwork: a member’s project to aid heel-and-toeing • Lowflying binder bulk-buy • Area meetings directory • Classified advertisements • Diary of events • Cover photograph by David Bateman
    Guest
    Caterham Cars continues its expansion into new markets around the globe with the launch of Caterham Cars India at this weekend’s inaugural Indian Grand Prix.
    As the pinnacle of global motorsport arrives in the country, the Caterham brand is being introduced to India with backing from brothers Gaurav and Mohit Burman, who will chair the Indian operation.
    The Burman family spearhead the Dabur Group, a major Indian consumer healthcare and food products company and the brothers, both of whom have keen sporting interests, relish the plans for racing and trackday activities that the Caterham India team will introduce and realise.
    Operations will be led by British sportscar racer, Matt Cummings who is an experienced automotive and motorsport operator in the sector.
    “I am looking forward to introducing the exhilarating driving experience of a Seven, both on the road and on the circuit, to the Indian enthusiast,” says Cummings. “One of the most exciting phases of our operation will be a fully Indian-assembled Seven, making Caterham the only road, race and track car assembled in India.”
    Meanwhile, Caterham’s renowned CDX driving experience and grassroots motorsport series, the Caterham Academy, will begin operating in India next year.
    Caterham Cars chief executive, Ansar Ali, said: “We have been working for some time on establishing Caterham in India and we’re arriving in yet another new market for our brand at exactly the right time – just as the brand new Indian GP signals the arrival of Indian motorsport on the world stage.
    “The potential of the Indian market for the Caterham brand is enormous so we are delighted to have knowledgeable and influential partners by our side for the journey ahead.”
    Caterham Cars India will be focused on establishing the brand in anticipation of new products currently in development by Caterham Technology and Innovation (CTI), the engineering division recently created following the acquisition of Caterham Cars by Tony Fernandes.
    CTI will be responsible for the development of a completely new line of accessible and affordable sportscars inspired by the lightweight, minimalist philosophy of the Seven and drawing on the advanced technologies and materials from the Group’s Team Lotus Formula One operations.
    With this in mind, Caterham Cars India has also already ordered a demonstrator version of the Company’s new-for-2011 SP/300.R sports prototype racing car, with a view to expanding the product offering further to the Indian market.
    The announcement of Caterham Cars India follows the launch of the brand in China in July and is the second new market for the Company since its change of ownership back in April. Team Lotus reserve driver, Karun Chandhok, is one of India’s premier motorsport exponents.
    Please visit http://www.caterham.co.uk or call 01883 333 700 for more information.
    To contact Caterham Cars India, call Mr Byas Anand on +91 981 199 4902 or email byas.anand@dabur.com
    Guest
    Motorbike road racing star, Guy Martin, will be the guest driver in the final rounds of the Caterham R300 Championship at Silverstone this weekend (October 22) in what will be his first race on four wheels.
    Martin, a works rider for the Relentless TAS Suzuki Team, has won the Ulster GP six times, seven consecutive Scarborough Gold Cups and scored 13 Isle of Man TT podiums.
    He is also a rising star of the screen, featuring in TV programmes such as 'The Boat that Guy Built' as well as being the subject of the cult film 'TT3D: Closer to the Edge' this summer.
    The 29-year old will join a packed grid of 300bhp-per-tonne, race-prepared Caterham Superlight R300s for two 30-minute races commencing at 11:30 and 15:15.
    The guest appearance has been made possible by ELAS, an employment and health & safety business support company, which sponsors both Caterham Motorsport and Martin.
    Martin was due to make his Caterham racing debut at Snetterton last season but was sidelined by an accident.
    He said: "I'm really looking forward to it. Racing a Caterham Seven must be the closest thing to racing a bike that there is on four wheels and, from what I've seen of the races I’ve watched in the past, they're every bit as frenetic as us bikers, so I should fit in just fine."
    Conneely
    Anglesey Results - Autoglym 2011 Lotus 7 Club Speed Championship
    Saturday
    1. Alan Johnson 74.43s
    2. Jon Ward 70.70s
    3. Mark Gibson 64.62s
    4. Stuart Miller 64.46s
    5. Simon Jenks 67.48s
    Sunday
    1. Paul Brown 111.26s
    2. Jon Ward 108.39s
    3. Tom Price 98.48s
    4. Chris Howard-Harris 94.86s
    5. Simon Jenks 99.20s
    for full results see the Competitors Corner link in the black horizontal bar above
     
    Guest
    The legendary pearl white and orange Caterham Superlight R500, driven to within a fraction of the Top Gear Power Lap record by The Stig, has been brought out of retirement to appear at Top Gear Live 2011.
    Three years after its head-turning appearance on Top Gear, the iconic machine will be piloted by The Stig on a purpose-built, indoor race track for the brand new Power Laps feature of the live show.
    The featherweight British sportscar, with its 500bhp-per-tonne performance, spent two years on the famous sportscar maker’s press fleet but was 'retired' at the end of 2010, having been widely acknowledged as a superlative track and road machine.
    The Caterham R500 will be performing on track at Birmingham's NEC on 11-13 November and London's ExCeL between 24-27 November.
    Still Caterham's quickest current full production model, the R500 flew around Top Gear's Dunsfold circuit in a blistering time of 1:17.9 seconds, placing it just shy of the lead but ahead of vehicles costing 10 times more.
    Its performance earned it the proud title of Top Gear TV's Car of the Year for 2008.
    Caterham Cars' Andy Noble commented: "We always said that we’d need a damn good reason to bring the Top Gear R500 out of retirement, so when we got the call, we couldn’t resist the temptation to unleash it on the public once more on this unique indoor track."
    Please visit www.caterham.co.uk or call 01883 333 700 for more information. To buy tickets for Top Gear Live, please visit www.topgearlive.co.uk.
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