HOW CATERHAM’S MOTORSPORT LADDER IS OVERCOMING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19
Having provided packed grids of incredibly close racing for many years, Caterham’s championship ladder entered a new era in 2020. Its flagship category for the 420R model was granted official British championship status, taking on the moniker of Seven Championship UK.
That was, of course, before the
COVID-19 pandemic changed the economic landscape. Entries were hit as some drivers found budgets squeezed or were forced to reappraise their priorities. However, even that was turned into a positive by the manufacturer. While many club-level championships have been contested over only three or perhaps four meetings this year, by pragmatically pairing grids for Seven UK with the second-string 310R category, and the
270R and Roadsport divisions, Caterham has been able to weather the storm and provide its driver-base with five events.
“If we’d had 200 cars like we had last year, I think we really would have struggled to find track time for everyone and probably would have had a cut-down calendar,” said motorsport director Simon Lambert. “As it is, a five race-meeting calendar is still a proper championship.”
Seven UK championship leader John Byrne had been unbeaten in the opening three weekends, but Henry Heaton ended that run with his maiden win on Saturday. Byrne had been unable to break clear and the race came to a head in the closing stages as the lead quartet came to lap the 310R frontrunners. Byrne emerged in front but Heaton dived inside at the Roberts chicane to take the win, Byrne getting all crossed up as he dropped to fourth behind Gordon Sawyer and Ian Payne, the PT Motorsport boss making his first appearance of the season.
“It was fraught, that race,” said a delighted Heaton. “I didn’t think I had a chance until the last three or four minutes, and that’s where it counts in Caterham racing. This championship is unbelievably competitive.”
Byrne hit back in race two, which became a two-lap dash after Sawyer locked up and collected Mike Evans on the restart after a red flag to mop up spilt fluids. This time he held off Heaton’s challenge, with Stephen
Nuttall following them home.
“Race one really got to me because I didn’t see the last-lap board,” explained Byrne. “They dived from miles away because they knew it was the last lap. Today I went all out for the win and it feels awesome. It was full fight-mode every single lap.”
Having done enough to provisionally secure the championship with a round to spare, Byrne is hoping to benefit from the raised profile as he makes his next step, but even a UK champion isn’t immune from sponsorship difficulties.
“I got lucky this year with Motion Capital,” he said. “Without them I wouldn’t be on the grid.”
Positive interest throughout the ladder means that the four championships can expect to have their own grids and a full seven-meeting calendar again next year, while the UK Championship will receive another boost with a planned switch to slick tyres (see News).