Hire a Caterham from £150 a day including comprehensive insurance.
Collecting the car was touch and go, the weather was grim and the forecast showed no sign of improvement, I kept in contact with Lynda who had given me the option of taking a rain check – It was at this point I realised you had meant what you said about my enjoyment being a higher priority than the money rolling in. I was welcomed to Westview House by a bright smiley face and the hospitality and genuine pleasure to have me taking the car away continued through the efficient handover process.
After a cup of tea and a small amount of form filling I was introduced to the Roadsport, shown the controls and the wet weather running gear. My car was parked securely on the drive and I was fastened in.. Being a small chap (5ft 6ish) a cushion was needed to give me a good seating position, I was keen to be able to fully de-press the clutch and have a good confident position on the accelerator and brake. This car is made for heel and toe down changes and after about an hour of driving I am pleased to say I had this mastered :-)
The journey home to Middlesbrough started slow with me getting a feel for the car, the country lanes were an excellent starting point and both the car and myself soon got warmed up and familiar with each other… This thing revs to 7,500RPM and the engine emits a tone that makes you think its angrily eating the road in front as it disappears between the bonnet mounted headlamps.
I headed from Stamford bridge to Malton, from Malton to Helmsley on the B1257, and then out of Helmsley onto one of the most breathtaking roads in the UK, the B1257 really does deliver it all. Good visibility with plenty of fast corners, getting the car lined up and the gear changes correct is truly a rewarding experience.. As I slowed into the village of Great Broughton only then did it become apparent the rain was falling, if the car is carrying speed the rain isn’t noticeable.
The weekend was spent with the Supersport and my future wife, we went for many outings in the car, some fast some slow but all a real pleasure. When I laid in bed on Saturday night with the Supersport parked on my drive, I began to wonder, why do we refer to cars as female? I’m getting married and love my future wife very much, but I felt more connected to the Caterham and understood its every move and reason far better than I could ever hope to understand that of my future wife or any member of the fairer sex.
The only positive thing about returning the car on Sunday evening was I would once again get to drive the B1257, only this time in the opposite direction, starting at the food of Clay bank in the village of Great Broughton I began what was my final journey, I think I could manage with a Caterham, ok so I would have to pack the shopping into lots of little bags but that could work… we don’t eat much anyway, or we could shop more often buying smaller amounts.. and so what it you get wet when it rains.. surely that just means you’re not going fast enough… I could have one of these little cars and forget the stresses of everyday life, the car is infectious everyone who got taken for a hot run was grinning from ear to ear as they pulled themselves from the passenger seat.
Thanks to Scott and Lynda for being extremely friendly and making the hire experience one I would hope to repeat again soon.
“...I’ve always assumed that a car like this would feel like an extension of your hands and feet, but it’s the other way round. I felt like a part of it, an organic component but a component nevertheless.”
Jeremy Clarkson