From bacon butties to wheel-to-wheel racing. 

Sunday morning at a 7 Racing event begins early, with drivers piling into the hospitality tent at 8:30 am for bacon butties cooked by their very own Race Series Manager, Sean Bicknell. Joining 7 Racing in 2022, Bicknell warmly greets everyone who steps into the 7 Racing tent, all while keeping the bacon supply topped up. 

The Caterham Cars are lined up under awnings, surrounded by mechanics and drivers alike, completing last-minute checks on the 550-kilogram race vehicles. I even saw a mechanic building a mini–Lego F1 car on the chassis of one of the 420R Caterham cars. Everyone is relaxed, and the atmosphere feels inherently welcoming. 

The day ahead features two races at Silverstone, the first at 11:20 am and the second at 5:23 pm. Reaching speeds of up to 120mph and accelerating from 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds, the real appeal of a Caterham race lies in ‘mature,’ ‘capable,’ and ‘fair’ handling of the vehicles. Ensuring drivers pass an ARDS test (covering medical checks, track tests, and multiple-choice questions), 7 Racing ensures the safety of its drivers. 

The majority of drivers have years of experience racing vehicles from karting to GT behind them, so everyone on the track remains as level-headed as a racing driver can be. Whilst there is competition, there is fun. 

Everyone mingles for lunch, chatting amongst families, knowing that their elbows will be out on the track in just a couple of hours. The hospitality team has provided the drivers, mechanics, and families with surplus amounts of paella and cake, topping everyone up for the second race. The tent is full as Sean presents the trophies for the first race of the day, earning cheers and big smiles from everyone around. Presented with the 7 Racing trophies, the drivers stand on their podiums for each driver class, and before sitting down to watch the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix on the screen provided. 

Some drivers take the opportunity between races to walk around, mend their cars, or take short power naps. With the strong slipstreams provided in Caterham races and equal car performance, the mental focus required can be draining, so everyone needs to relax, whether that’s by sleeping, eating, or debriefing with their mechanics. 

As we near 5 pm, drivers are geared up, preparing for the second race of the day. Mechanics are helping drivers get into their cars, suiting them up in preparation, and drivers are leaving the paddock to line themselves up to enter the track. Everyone is on the move. 

Image credited to Aimee Grant. Paddock exit at Silverstone. 03/08/2025. 

Leaving for Copse Corner, I took a seat on the grass opposite the Escapade houses, loading the 7 Racing live stream on YouTube. 

The race featured a constant battle for podiums at the front of the 420R class, with a different driver leading each lap as they sped past me at Copse Corner. With Mark Stansfield taking the win and Jamie Ellwood close behind, it was an intense race. ‘I’m so tired. I reckon I made that mistake onto the gravel because I was exhausted,’ commented Stuart Calder as he got out of his car in the paddock. With a level playing field in each series, 7 Racing thrives on the driver experience and knowledge, pushing each driver to the limits.

Image credited to Aimee Grant. Parc Ferme at Silverstone. Anthony Barnes interviewed. 03/08/2025. 

Most drivers and families make their way back over to the hospitality tent, where Sean is beckoning everyone over and presents the second set of awards for the day. Huddled around the podium, Sean thanks everyone for the day, noting any quick information about the upcoming race at Snetterton. 

Waving goodbyes and exchanging hugs, drivers return to mechanics, helping push their cars into trailers ready for their journeys home. The once paddock is now a row of closed trailers, deconstructed awnings, and people hurrying about, looking forward to a good night’s sleep. 

We say our goodbyes, heading for the Silverstone exit. It’s been a busy day, and we didn’t even race!