Much has been said of the fact that Team Lotus has bought what can mean for Caterham. Will end the name Caterham in formula one? It is too early to tell, although Tony Fernandes argues that there is no intention to change the name of the computer. Although there is a fact that they overlooked many; Caterham already competed in formula one.
Well, maybe not Caterham with that name, but also with the original name, Lotus 7. Change us. Run since 1962, and we are in the middle of December, at Kyalami. Traditionally, the so-called "Rand Grand Prix" was the race that served as prior to the Grand Prize of South Africa. He played in the same circuit where team Grand Prix, shortly after.
In this case, the 1962 Rand Grand Prix was held two weeks before the formula one Grand Prix. Among the 33 registered for the race is a very curious participant. brausch niemann, South African pilot which would later compete in two Grand Prix of formula one is. For the Rand Grand Prix is inscribed with a Lotus 7 without lights and fenders.
When comes the qualifying session, Niemann gives surprise and beating the thirteen cars qualify for the race, with a time of 1: 44. 5, nine seconds behind the pole, which is her Jim Clark. Therefore, Niemann will participate in a formula one race with a car "of street", having passed several Cooper and other so many Lotus, love of other participants with weird machines such as the Peugeot Neutar of Rauten Hartmann.
The race has little history. Swept from Lotus, which places four of their cars between the top five, with victory of Jim Clark, followed closely by Trevor Taylor, leaving an inexperienced John Surtees in third place, more than twenty seconds. Niemann, with his Lotus 7, for its part, manages to finish in tenth position, four of the winner, which is a milestone, taking into account the machine with which it competes.
Is clear that the Caterham today is not exactly the same Lotus 7 in its infancy, but we must not forget that the philosophy of construction of the cars it has remained almost unchanged since the 1960s, including the basic design of the same. Light body with small engine to have a car with very sporting performance, as demonstrated in 1962, yielding very well in a racing circuit.
