Caterham takes action to boost 2005 championships
Although the Roadsport A class has managed to attract strong grids throughout 2004, the British F3/GT Championship-supporting R400 entry has averaged only 12.5 entries. The move, which will see upgraded Roadsports A cars run as a self-contained class alongside the more rapid R400s as in the Eurocup, is expected to ensure strong grids for 2005
It has yet to be finalised if the series will stay on the Stephane Ratel Organisation-run F3/GT package, although talks are ongoing with Ratel and Jonathan Palmer's T1 package. Caterham motorsport consultant Magnus Laird said: "This move anticipates any potential action by the MSA and the BRSCC to address the issue of poor grids. Hopefully, it should also encourage Roadsports A runners to upgrade to R400s. The Roadsport A model is no longer available as a production model so it makes sense to put it together with another category. They have successfully raced together in the Eurocup and that has not proved to be a problem."
Caterham has also moved to cut costs, with an all-new bespoke Avon- treaded tyre to be introduced next season to be used by both the R400 and Roadsports A runners. The move is expected to cut around £5000 from the required annual budget.
Stephen Worley, whose Hyperion Motorsport team has run cars in both R400s and Roadsports A, as well as the Eurocup this season, said: "This year has been quite a challenge for teams who want to run in both. They've had to attend too many championships. It makes sense from an operational and a camaraderie standpoint to bring the cars together."
Caterham also plan to run the Inter category, a class for higher-specification Roadsport B cars, as a standalone championship for 2005. The remainder of the companies categories - Roadsports B, Graduates and the thriving starter-level Caterham Academy - will remain in place next season alongside the Eurocup and an an all-new two-driver enduro series.
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