Citroen C1 Challenge set for endurance season
A new pan-european endurance series was launched at Autosport International, featuring the diminutive Citroen C1.
The new class is the brainchild of Citroen 2CV regular Philip Myatt, who brought a handful of cars into the British championship for the annual 24 hour event last year.
The new C1 Challenge uses basic one-litre 67bhp cars, with very few permitted modifications. The Challenge will tag on to a series of French 2CV race events, and will also be permitted by the British Automobile Racing Club for events at Pembrey and Cadwell Park.
Race durations vary from four to six hours, and a 24 hour race at Spa is planned for October.
Myatt said: “It’s a bit of a mad concept for a race series, but that’s a selling point. It all began when we tried to fit the C1 engine and gearbox into a 2CV as a possible solution to the rising cost of spares. That didn’t work, so we opted to take a basic C1 on a track day with a few modifications and it was brilliant.
“We’re focusing on team racing, and this has to be the most affordable endurance racing series out there as cars can be built for less than £3000. We have 16 cars built and ready and more on order so we’re hoping for grids in the mid-20s.”
The series is very strict on permitted modifications, to the extent that the original radio system must remain in the car and be in working condition.