The racing series where experience and sensibility trump budget.

‘Money weeds out talent,’ commented a driver at 7 Racing. ‘And Caterham is the most accessible form of motor racing out there.’

With the cost of a Caterham car starting at twelve thousand pounds, with most around the £30,000 to £40,000, the Caterham series provides drivers with a more sustainable option of motor racing. Series such as Historic Cars and GT racing can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, and Karting doesn’t offer road-legal vehicles. So, Caterham is a good middle ground. 

Caterham themselves offer Academy Cars, a grassroot level, £30,000 car, payable through finance. 

While £30,000 is no small paycheck, it is accessible in motorsport terms. Equipped with a roll bar, six-point harness, extinguisher, rear rain light, and much more, a Caterham can go zero to sixty in five point three seconds with its one point six litre engine. 

Despite all the safety gear, motorsport remains a high-risk sport. ‘You’ve got to trust people,’ commented Mark Farmer. Having previously raced multiple different Caterham, GT, and historic series, Farmer was recommended for me to talk to. ‘There are a lot of talented people here,’ and the ‘talent shines through.’ 

‘You’re in the moment’ and you’re ‘so close with other cars, […] that’s the fun of it.’ Commenting on the maturity and capability of other drivers, who range in ages from their thirties to late sixties, Farmer acknowledged how the wheel-to-wheel racing can be frightening at times, which is where the trust is fundamental. 

Speaking with Kelvin Hassell, a newcomer to the 7 Racing series, Kelvin commented on his race strategy. ‘I love racing,’ he said. ‘But I want to finish the race and get points. I can’t throw money at it.’ Kelvin typically runs lower in the 420R pack, choosing to focus on finishing the race to secure points and protect his car, over battling other drivers and risking it all. Currently standing sixteenth out of thirty-nine in the 420R class, Hassell’s strategy is paying off. 

Having only competed briefly with 7 Racing, Hassell drives for the pure joy of it. Competing as an independent with a strong family history in motor racing, Hassell described himself as ‘always racing’ with over ten years’ experience in karting alongside other series. 

Alternatively, drivers who are more experienced in the 7 series are more willing to battle intensely as they know their competition, their driving style, and what they want to achieve out of the race. Mark Farmer, for example, has only raced in three out of the eight races so far in the 2025 season, but scores highly in each one, placing himself twenty-third in the current standings. 

When speaking with Stuart Calder, a driver in the 420R class, he mentioned the unexpected accessibility of driving a Caterham. ‘You need to pass an ARDS test.’ ARDS is an assessment required to obtain a Motorsport UK racing license. Involved is a written theory test covering flags, safety procedures, and regulations. Then there is the practical driving assessment, testing your ability to drive safely around a track by an instructor in a school car. All are combining to ensure the safety of not only the driver but also all the drivers around them.

Offering a mature and family-friendly race environment, 7 Racing allows motorsport enthusiasts, or as they call themselves ‘petrol heads,’ the opportunity to compete safely. With healthy competition, catering, awards, and intense racing, the 7 Racing series offers it all to seasoned drivers and newcomers alike.