Development of the Caterham Gulf 7 (G7) Spec race car
The prestigious Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) has commited to a championship which is due to start in September 2005. Against stiff compitition, MME were successfull in winning the bid to provide the most appropriate race car for this purpose.
While the Caterham 7, with over 40 years of history behind it's fundemental design is well known for its durability and performance, even the highest spec versions are not ideally suited to the heat of the Middle East enviornment.
Thus the need to develop a specification that is better suited to the ardous conditions. The Gulf 7 (G7 as it is now known) is built around the wider SV chassis which ensures comfort and safety for even large drivers and passengers while ensuring ample room for a race radiator and twin fans within the nose. Engine cooling is further boosted by an oil cooler.
The life and durabilty of any race engine is directly related to the quality of cooling and engine oiling systems. A specially designed finned dry sump combats high 'G' forces while offering some additional cooling. Significantly, engine oil is de-aerated through a sophisticated swirl tower, combating the problems associated with many dry sump systems.
The combination of the Ford Duratech derived Cosworth 2.3 Litre engine with the above and many other high end specifications make for a highly reliable performance RACE CAR that can even be used on the road.
Caterham G7 Specifications
-Wide bodied SV chassis to allow both greater cabin space, as well as room for a larger capacity cooling system
-All aluminium 2.3litre Cosworth Duratech engine, detuned to produce c.160bhp
-Dry sump lubrication system
-Bespoke six speed close ratio gearbox
-Limited Slip Differential
-High capacity competition radiator with dual cooling fans
-Full race suspension with fixed rate Bilstein dampers
-FIA full roll-cage and side impact protection bars
-Up rated brake system, including race discs, pads, callipers, pedal and master cylinder
-6-point racing harness and arm restraints
-Plumbed-in fire system
-Ignition cut-out master switch
-Bespoke wiring loom and ECU
-Aluminium honeycomb fuel tank protection kit & cockpit protection panels
The Caterham’s Cosworth developed Ford Duratech 2.3 Litre engine is detuned to produce 160 bhp. This provides both a manageable power to weight ratio for driver development while ensuring that this under stressed unit delivers both reliability and economy. Also inherent in this specification is the ability to upgrade the engine for increased performance. This ensures that the G7 can be raced in forthcoming 210bhp and 260bhp series without excessive modification. Thereby “future proofing,” your team’s investment !
Cost (in Bahraini Dinars)
*note: by way of a comparison a G7 Caterham costs BD 17,000/- in the UK
Bahrain intro price BD 15,640/-
(ex works, not including import duty, shipping or assembly. Note, based on exchange rate of 0.68 to the UK pound, ie Fixed intro price is UK Pounds 23,000)
Build cost BD 1000/-
(includes track test, race setup and lap time certification - to ensure identical G7 Performance)
Freight at Cost
(please note that attempts are made to minimise costs by batch freighting in containers)
Entrance fees will be competitively priced in the approx BD 100 to BD 200 range
(this compares favourably with the UK where Pounds 200+ are common for circuits far inferior to the BIC. Note, this is based on sharing race days with other series. This is being actively encouraged by the BIC and the BMF)
Running costs:
There are cheaper vehicles available, but non with the G7's level of performance that costs so little to run and maintain.
(eg, a set of Avon 7" Front, 8" Rear ACB10's last for several race and practise sessions [500km+] and cost approx BD 280 a set. Two sets of pads last a whole season. The engine is under stressed ensuring lengthy service intervals. Body work is easily replaced; Front wings, BD28; Rear, BD 88, Nose cone BD128 etc.)