Mcalvert

This Month: Exit Interview • The View From The Top • A K-Series Rebuild From Scratch Part 2 • The Wild Atlantic Way • Independence Day • Speed Championship Reports • News And Events Lowflying is currently with the printers and should be sent out towards members around 8th August.

This Month: Wight Blat Is Back! • Everyone Remembers Their First Time... • Carrotland’s Big Weekend • ‘Brian’s Blat’ • A K-Series Rebuild From Scratch • All That, And A Bag Of Crisps • And much more! Lowflying is currently with the printers and should be sent out towards members around 8th July.

BOB LAISHLEY TAKES OVER AS CATERHAM CARS CEO; GRAHAM MACDONALD STEPS DOWN AFTER 10 YEARS IN ROLE Graham Macdonald will end reign as Caterham Cars Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in JuneChief Strategic Officer Bob Laishley will assume the role of CEO Macdonald joined the business in 2007, spending five years as Chief Financial Officer before becoming CEO in 2012 Caterham Cars has announced Graham Macdonald will step down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the end of June. Current Chief Strategic Officer Bob Laishley, who was the first appointment under VT Holdings, will take over the position having already been in the business for just over a year. Laishley, the former Nissan Global Sportscar Programme Director, is an engineer by training with a proven track-record in developing and delivering innovative new products During his 25 year tenure at Nissan, he held various roles for the brand, including programme director for its OEM collaborations and sports car divisions. It was the latter role in which, from 2014, he oversaw the application of the marque’s world-famous NISMO expertise to mainstream performance road cars and held responsibility for the iconic GT-R and Z programmes. Outgoing CEO Macdonald joined the business in 2007 and spent five years as Chief Financial Officer before occupying the CEO position for a decade. During that period, Macdonald steered the business through some difficult times including the period of F1 and the exit of the Caterham/Renault Alpine JV programme. Recently he helped to ensure the long-term security of the business by overseeing the acquisition by VT Holdings. He will leave the business with a healthy forward order book of almost 12 months. Macdonald has also embraced the product and the brand during his tenure, having owned several Sevens. He has spent the last five years competing in the highly acclaimed motorsport championship, starting in the Academy series in 2017 and working right up to Caterham’s ultimate racing series, the CSCUK 420R Championship. Laishley said: “I would like to thank Graham, on behalf of everyone at Caterham, for his work over the last 15 years. “He leaves the business in a strong position following our best ever sales year in 2021 and demand for the Seven at an all-time high.” Macdonald added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the customers, staff, dealers, shareholders and suppliers for their support throughout my time at Caterham. “After 15 years at Caterham, 10 in the role of CEO, it feels like the right time step away and retire. “There’s been some massive highs and big challenges along the way, but I can honestly say I’ve relished every bit of my time at Caterham. “I’m proud to be leaving the business with a healthy order book and wish Bob and the business all the success in the future.”

This Month: Remembering Reg Price • Turning Japanese • The Sun Shines On The Sevens • When Things Go Pear Shaped! • Speed Championship Reports • Joining The Team Lowflying is currently with the printers and should be sent out towards members around 8th June.

Caterham® has unveiled the new 420 CUP, a road-going, track-focussed model inspired by its top-tier Seven UK Championship Racecar. The 420 CUP features a 2.0-litre Duratec engine producing 210bhp and 203nm of torque, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 375bhp-per-tonne and a 0-60mph sprint time of just 3.6 seconds - enabling drivers to register supercar-beating lap times on the UK’s premier racing circuits (1 minute 45 seconds at Oulton Park). This performance is possible thanks to the SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox with flat-shift, fully-adjustable dampers and optional Avon ZZR Extreme track tyres (with Avon ZZRs as standard). Available for the first time on any road-going Caterham, the 420 CUP possesses fully-adjustable Bilstein dampers. Tuned specifically for the 420 CUP, the dampers can be placed in any one of their ten stiffness settings without the use of any tools and in just a couple of minutes, giving the 420 CUP true ‘arrive and drive’ track day flexibility. The 420 CUP treads new ground for Caterham visually too. Exterior updates include a race-style nose cone, a centralised petrol filler and new LED rear lights, while an optional Race Roll Cage adds a metal boot cover and racing wing mirrors for a full competition-spec look. A unique livery featuring translucent satin decals and custom track-day graphics will be supplied with every car. Inside, the 420 CUP benefits from optional carbon-fibre seats with model-exclusive embroidery (new styled composite seats as standard), a 620-style dashboard finished in satin carbon and new 420 CUP racing dials, while Alcantara trim features on the transmission tunnel and headrests. The interior also benefits from red highlights on the seat pads, dials and tunnel-top. These additional touches bestow the 420 CUP with a level of finish befitting of such a significant model in the Caterham range. Sitting between the road-going Seven 420R and the purpose-built Caterham Seven Championship UK Racecar in the line-up, the 420 CUP possesses a top speed of 136mph and will be available in the UK and US with a choice of standard and large chassis sizes. The car is available to order now via the dealer network with production commencing in early 2023. Prices will start from £54,990 in the UK and US customers should contact their local retailer for further information. The vehicle is only available as factory built and not as a kit form. Speaking of the addition of the 420 CUP to Caterham’s range, CEO Graham Macdonald said: “The 420 CUP is, quite simply, the best track day car we’ve ever made. By taking everything we’ve learned in the development of our top-tier Seven UK Championship Racecar and engineering in a level of adaptability and approachability that belies the 420 CUP’s incredible performance, we believe we’ve created a car that drivers of all levels can enjoy driving to, around and from any circuit while still experiencing the exhilaration and engagement that Caterhams are renowned for.”

This Month: Access All Areas – Behind The Scenes At Caterham’s Factory • Lights Out Full Throttle • Cold Start • Seven People: Simon Houghton • Don’t Let A Disability Stop You! • European Road Signs Lowflying is currently with the printers and should be sent out towards members around 6th May.