Racecar Profile: Caterham SP/300.R

Cars, Features I By Bradley Iger I April 28, 2014

A joint project between Caterham and Lola, the SP/300.R is a track day car designed for racers who’re ready to move beyond street cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 and into something that is built with the sole intention of attacking road courses at maximum velocity.

Sporting a 300 horsepower, 2.0-liter supercharged Ford Duratec engine, a six-speed sequential gearbox, and a curb weight of just 1200 pounds (thanks in part to its aluminum-honeycomb monocoque chassis), the SP/300.R is capable of hitting 60 miles per hour from rest in just 2.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 180 miles per hour. The open top two-seater is designed to accommodate drivers and passengers big and small, allowing for two occupants well over six feet tall to fit comfortably and safely in the cockpit in full racing gear.

The SP/300.R’s aero package provides nearly half a ton of downforce at 155mph, helping maintain stability at the high speeds this track car is capable of approaching in short order. A fully adjustable double wishbone coil spring suspension system, AP Racing brakes, and a limited slip differential are all included in the Caterham’s extensive list of standard equipment.

"The SP/300.R was designed from the ground up as a race car", says Steve Potter, general manager of Dyson Racing, the US distributor for the mid-engined Caterham. "It’s also comparatively inexpensive to run – it’s built to be raced and refreshed." As a result, durability, safety, and ease of access to vital mechanical components took top priority when creating the SP/300.R, and its purpose-built design translates into a thrilling track day car that’s truly up to the task. Let’s take a closer look at the Caterham SP/300.R:

Specifications

Dimensions	Length: 132.3 inches Width: 66.9 inches Height: 43.9 inches Wheelbase: 90.7 inches Axle Track: 57.9 inches (front), 58.7 (rear)
Price	~ $135,000 (depending on options)
Weight	~ 1200lb (depending on customer specs)
Engine	Engine: 2.0-litre Rotrex-supercharged Ford Duratec
Max. Power	300hp @ 7500rpm / 213lb-ft @ 7500rpm
Exhaust	Straight-through, unmuffled or stainless steel manifold and silencer if required
Transmission	Hewland FTR six-speed sequential transmission
Suspension	Fully adjustable (including anti-roll bars), gearbox mounted Formula 3 system with front and rear double wishbones and pushrod-actuated coilover dampers
Brakes	AP Racing braking system
Wheels/Tires	13" Caterham Apollo alloy wheels / Cooper F3 slicks
Safety	MSA specification twin roll over hoops, aluminum honeycomb crashbox

Options

· Spare Apollo alloy wheels with Cooper F3 wet tires
· Workshop and maintanence package
· Uprated Hans Schroth harness
· Adjustable drivers seat
· Passenger seat
· Fuel out hose
· Fuel pressure monitoring
· Transport wheel nuts
· Penske 4-way adjustable shocks, valved to Dyson specs
· AiM Evo4 data logger
· AiM brake pressure sensors
· AiM steering angle sensor
· AiM G-Dash
· AiM SmartyCam
· Carbon front fender vents
· Carbon rear brake ducts
· Carbon wing end plates
· Carbon front shock covers
· Carbon windscreen
· Carbon front aero blades
· Carbon dash w/switches
· Ceramic exhaust coating
· Extra core radiator
· Carbon LMP1 mirrors
· HID headlight upgrade
· Kenwood radio system (2 Radios, Crew Headset)

Services Offered By Manufacturer

(services offered to customers in northeast US region)

· Trackside service and repair
· Vehicle storage and transport
· Driver coaching
· Car setup and tuning

Eligible Classes

· SCCA: Prototype 2, NASA: Unlimited class

One Make Series

· Creation of one make series currently under consideration by Michael Culver of Skip Barber Racing School

Estimated Cost to Run Per Hour

· $700/hr including all consumables (tires, fuel, etc)

Availability/Timing

· Immediate delivery of vehicles in inventory, custom specifications add 2-3 weeks, out of inventory vehicles add 8-10 weeks

Source/Contact