PistonHeads, which boasts 2.5 million unique users per month and a vibrant motoring forum with 117,000 members, has partnered with the sportscar marque, Caterham Cars, making next year’s series the Pistonheads.com Caterham Academy.
Since 1995, Caterham’s unique, one-make Academy has taken more than 700 novices through the race license process and their first full season of racing in sprints, hillclimbs and track events, to emerge as fully-fledged racers.
Chris Rosamond, PistonHeads editor, said: “The Caterham Seven is a legendary car that is a firm favourite with our users, so it made perfect sense to hook up with the Academy. At PH, our strap line is ‘speed matters’ – the people who read our news and use our forums are true petrolheads, and the accessibility to real motor racing that the Academy offers fits exactly with what I think most of our users would love to do.”
The Academy will feature in race reports and feature articles at PistonHeads.com throughout the 2010 season. Staff writer Matt Rigby will gain a close-up insight by competing in the Academy himself.
Andy Noble, Caterham Cars sales and marketing director, said: “The Caterham Seven is a classic enthusiast’s car and there isn’t a better hub of activity for motoring nuts in the UK than PistonHeads. These are the people that we want to experience the thrill of Caterham driving, so to have the opportunity of offering them some insight and ‘ownership’ of the Academy is superb.”
The Academy, which perennially sells out its 56 grid places, straps rookie racers into the seat of a Caterham Seven – a small, lightweight car that is known for its handling and fine acceleration.
Caterham’s Academy package starts at £17,995 a season. As well as the car, the package includes preparation for the ARDS race licence, driving tuition, technical set-up seminars and entry to all seven rounds.
