Donington Park see's Caterham move from Silverstone to become the flagships dealership and experience site.

• New showroom will open at prestigious race track in January 2016
• Caterham Experience will also be housed at new facility
• Caterham Cars UK dealer network continues to grow with four sites across UK

Caterham Cars has appointed BookaTrack, based at Donington Park race circuit, as its new dealer in the Midlands as it continues to expand its UK dealer network.

The brand new showroom will be based at one of Britain’s premier circuits, and will open its doors in January 2016. The move will also see Caterham’s Experience day activities relocate from Silverstone to Donington Park from January 2016.

The move marks the first time that prospective Caterham customers will be able to experience retail demonstrations in a Seven on track, due to the exclusive circuit access that Donington Park has given to BookaTrack Caterham at selected times.

BookaTrack Caterham will sell Caterham’s five-strong model range of lightweight sportscars, as well as offering a full aftersales and servicing package to new and existing customers. The BookaTrack team is already well-versed in the servicing and maintenance of Caterham Sevens, through its Experience fleet of 12 Sevens, including R300 race cars and Seven 620 Rs.

Aftersales activities will begin with immediate effect and will provide Caterham’s Midlands based customers with service, warranty and parts support in a central location conveniently located just off the M1. BookaTrack Caterham will also offer a store and forward service, allowing customer cars to be stored indoors and securely at Donington Park.

Caterham’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Ridley, said: “We are delighted to be able to expand our UK dealer network in partnership with a company as knowledgeable and experienced with the Seven as BookaTrack.

“Donington Park is perfectly aligned to the Caterham brand thanks to both of our rich motorsport heritages.

“Additionally, the opportunity to deliver Caterham Experience events alongside a showroom in tandem with having exclusive access to the legendary circuit for customer demonstrations is a ground-breaking move for Caterham.”

BookaTrack’s Director, Jonny Leroux, said: “The opening of our own Caterham franchise at Donington Park is the culmination of over 15 years worth of passion, enthusiasm and commitment to both brands. The strong partnerships BookaTrack has forged with both parties makes this a natural progression for us and one that we're all very excited to be involved with.

“Our new purpose-built showroom and the inclusion of the Caterham Experience in-house at Donington Park perfectly complement our existing range of services and ensures BookaTrack are able to offer a complete progression from first timer to seasoned racer."

Donington Park Commercial Director, Roger Lowe commented: “We are delighted that Caterham are heading to Donington Park and further strengthening the presence of BookaTrack on our site. Both companies are industry leaders and this announcement further adds to the recent regeneration of the circuit, and is another indication that Donington Park, with its central location is a key site for the motorsport industry. We look forward to the opening of the showroom, and of course the increased levels of driving participation for visitors to our circuit.”

BookaTrack is the UK's largest independent car track day organiser. Caterham has been working with the company since its inception in 2000 and throughout its progression as a premium track day provider. BookaTrack will continue to operate a fleet of Caterhams at around 120 events per year at race circuits across the UK and Europe.

The new 650S Sprint by McLaren GT is set for its global competitive premiere this weekend.

The new 650S Sprint by McLaren GT is set for its global competitive premiere this weekend at the penultimate round of the GT Cup race at Donington Park, UK. The 650S Sprint is developed and optimised for the track, and eligibility has now been confirmed to race in the NARRA US GT series, the SCCA GT Championship and the UAE GT series. McLaren GT factory driver Rob Bell will be joined by German-based journalist Dale Lomas, for the weekend’s triple-header.

The covers were pulled off the McLaren 650S Sprint at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last month, and the race this weekend marks the European debut of the car, in the most public of arenas. Racing with McLaren GT customer team Von Ryan Racing, the 650S Sprint will contest three races during the weekend – one sprint race incorporating a driver-change on Saturday, followed by two shorter events on Sunday, with the drivers contesting one complete race each.

McLaren GT factory driver Rob Bell returns to the Von Ryan Racing team after running at this year’s Total 24 Hours of Spa in the 12C GT3. In addition, Bell has been involved in the development of the 650S Sprint so has extensive knowledge of the track-only racer. Bell will share driving duties with experienced Nürburgring-racer Lomas, who has shown good pace in testing ahead of the event.

Based on the road-going 650S, the aerodynamically enhanced design of the 650S Sprint offers increased levels of downforce, and the revised air intakes offer optimised cooling of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo M838T engine. In the 650S Sprint, the proven powerplant is retained from the 650S roadcar, with a unique engine and transmission calibration to further enhance on track drivability and driver engagement.

Managing Director Andrew Kirkaldy commented: ‘The 650S Sprint is an evolution of the successful 12C GT Sprint, and moves the game on as the 650S roadcar has done. The 650S Sprint is an easier car to fully exploit and enjoy for a driver, and the levels of engagement and refinement have been optimised. The development programme for the car has been extensive so far, with many thousands of kilometres completed on various tracks, but this will be the ultimate test – a real race situation with a highly competitive grid.  

‘The team at Von Ryan Racing has shown themselves to be world class over the years in GT racing, and Rob has been heavily involved with the development of the 650S Sprint, so knows the car very well. It should be a great weekend of racing, and with the recent announcement that the car is now eligible for championships in North America and the Middle East, this marks the next exciting chapter for McLaren GT.’

The 650S Sprint is priced at £198,000*, and available from all official McLaren retailers worldwide or direct from McLaren GT.

Abarth launches customer 500 track package to celebrate 65 years of heritage.

The new Abarth 500, offered with additional equipment and a bespoke Abarth track experience, is the latest deal being offered by the performance car manufacturer.

Just 65 of the brand’s 500 Custom models are being made available, in recognition of the 65 years since Abarth & C. was formed in Italy by Carlo Abarth.

The great value package includes Record Grey Metallic paint finish, rear privacy glass, yellow brake callipers, 17-inch 10-spoke Diamond Finish alloy wheels, along with the Abarth Track Experience. A choice of race circuits is available to customers including Oulton Park, Donington Park and Brands Hatch.

The 500 Custom already features, as standard, Abarth’s new 7-inch TFT instrument panel, sports seats, satin steel twin exhaust and Blue&Me Bluetooth hands free communication system with steering wheel controls.

The hot hatch’s 135hp 1.4 litre turbocharged engine delivers 206Nm of torque to take it from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and on up to 127mph top speed.

“Now is the time for anyone who has been thinking of owning an Abarth 500 to buy one,” says Gerry Southerington, head of brand, Abarth UK.  “As well as the extra equipment and superb value for money, customers can enjoy a track day experience they certainly won’t forget.

“And the top race circuits on offer will allow these new owners to fully appreciate the dynamic abilities of Abarth cars in their natural environment.”

The celebratory Abarth 500 track experience package costs £14,990 (OTR) and is available from any of Abarth’s 29 UK dealers.