Are Caterhams a good F1 route???

[Lee Purnell]

It sounds silly, but....
I was Having a chat with Mackie man, and he was telling me how bad he thought that the racing was in Radicals and Caterhams.
I am not sure, I think Caterham racing is entertaining and fun.
He mentioned the lack of talent, and how it is not as good as the
traditional F1 route. Ok, these championships are probally supposed to be
more for club racers, but!
Winner of Caterham super light r's wins a winter FPA drive,
the winner of that wins a full FPA drive.
And from then.......
What do you think?

[Peter Mallett]

I sneaked a look at this topic (borrowed somebody’s access). I think we tend to look at these championships in the wrong way. IMHO the Caterhams, MGB C V8s, Metro’s and all other “one make” championships provide a good grounding for up and coming amateur racers, and unless you want to progress to the Formulas, these are where you will spend your career.

In view of that, the quality (or lack) of driving, matters not a jot. There are many talented drivers who like to race in these championships and will never progress because they don’t want to.

The problem actually lies with the perception that Fford, FVauxhall, FRenault are quality championships. In point of fact the majority of drivers in these formulae are (IMO) generally pretty damned poor. Notice the number of times a car is taken home in various carrier bags.

Its not the drivers’ fault (they only do as they are told and let’s face it at 17 or 18 they know no better), it is the teams who have adopted the Michael Schumacher approach to racing. And of course sponsors pay the money so the cost of an accident never arises.

However. Irrespective of my opinions, the fact remains that no championship other than Fford, FRenault, will take a driver to F3 and beyond. As I say it is a matter of perception, which is probably based on the amount of money, needed to compete.

My apologies if this repeats somebody else’s posting.

[Graham]

Me hating Boremula 1, it really should be F1 being a route into Caterhams...

[Mackmot]

Hey dont quote me Lee!!!!
I dont discuss publically very often Im too 'politically incorect'

[Lee Purnell]

Sorry Mack