Brian T Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 I'm very reluctantly putting my gorgeously optioned CSR 260 (CSR 260 No. 72) back to the market. First off, the reason: A devastating left hand injury in 2019 has fundamentally and permanently disabled my left hand, made quite scarily evident towards the end of the drive home from Le Mans 2023. A combination of cramping and loss of feeling makes any kind of high level gear changes or dashboard switch management too sketchy for confident, brisk driving. It's not the car, it's me. The car is simply wonderful. 13800 miles. So an average of just over 800 miles per year. A low mileage car. Every consideration has gone into the thoughtful options and upgrades in the engine bay. The 'binary' roller-barrel throttle bodies replaced by equally capable, but far more throttle-sensitive Raceline butterfly throttle bodies/injection/induction, with full ECU dyno'd remap. Fully overhauled/upgraded oil/water/cooling plumbing and systems. This car is almost impossible to overheat when driven - the cooling systems are awesome. Custom 35-click Nitron suspension system/dampers on all corners, so more than 3 times the adjustability of the latest Caterham 420 Cup, with a load more power. Custom BTB 4/2/1 CSR exhaust system from headers out (£2800) installed in 2011 by BTB exhausts, repacked in 2019 by Cosworth specialists HWR Motorsport, at the same time as the full Cosworth Racing Duratec 2.3 engine service/rebuild, at 11,000 miles (£2475). This is an awesomely cared for car, with some delightful custom cockpit diamond-stitched livery, and an extremely well cared for/managed engine. Full screen/door/half-roof weather gear along with wipers all brand new and boxed (£1500), so if you want to drive in a more comfortable environment, it's there with a few spanners. I've shed more tears over selling treasured guitars that I've owned since the 1970's because of the same hand injury, and know that this car doesn't deserve the same cache of emotional/sentimental connection, but it is no longer a car I feel I can enjoy to its full potential. Wonderfully prepared by Callum's team at Turn 7 prior to my purchase in April 2022, so every nut and bolt front to back, and full engine pressure testing and all oil/fluids renewed. Needs to find a new home/gifted driver, to see it through its next generation of ownership. I'm looking for £45K, which may be a little ambitious, but is certainly towards the lower end of some of the CSR 260 market prices. I'm gutted, but someone out there will have a dream come true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative bluenose Posted July 4, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted July 4, 2023 Sounds like a nice car. Not sure why the roller barrels are considered binary, my R500 and previous R300 ones were fine? So smooth after a two Steves mapping session on the R500. Best of luck with the sale Brian, hard to find now.Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanRo Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Very well described Brian. Very sorry to hear why you have to sell and I hope it goes to a good home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenF Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Any photos? Don't need another CSR but your car sounds great!If you use Turn 7, you must be up north somewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 5, 2023 Author Share Posted July 5, 2023 I know roller-barrels are a really cool option, but don't bring any benefit to engines running under 9000rpm, so for a Hyabusa powered 7, a perfect match. The injectors/butterflies were fitted by a previous owner, and I explored a return to the Cosworth Racing roller barrels but research revealed the Raceline butterflies fitted provide far more sensitive throttle control in the 6000+ rpm band. So I've stuck with them. On my one track evening session at Brands, I was almost overwhelmed by the combination of power and traction, having previously owned an SV Superlight R as a great comparison. The CSR was consistently the quickest 7 on track, and I was barely touching on its capabilities in the technical corners. I'm certain roller-barrels add a great sense of drama and high end shove, and really don't want to sound in any way demeaning, so sorry if my description came across that way. Most people that race CSR 260s will routinely opt for a butterfly system, for that subtle added throttle control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 5, 2023 Author Share Posted July 5, 2023 Car is garaged at home in SE London. Was delivered by Turn 7 - a part of their universally brilliant service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 5, 2023 Author Share Posted July 5, 2023 Thank you DanRo. It ain't easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 5, 2023 Author Share Posted July 5, 2023 Thank you DanRo. It ain't easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted July 5, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted July 5, 2023 "Most people that race CSR 260s will routinely opt for a butterfly system..."Which explains the reason they were fitted to your car by a previous owner?James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Andrew 21 Edney Posted July 6, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted July 6, 2023 I must admit that I was surprised that there was no mention of the colour (though you can guess it is dark from Brian's profile picture), what roll bar is fitted (no cage in the photo, almost looks like a standard roll bar), wheels, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 10, 2023 Author Share Posted July 10, 2023 It's had a relatively low mileage, fully MOT'd (so road registered) history. Probably a lot of track driving, which is where a CSR 260 really comes alive. I can imagine the late surge in throttle response being a bit of a handful in damp conditions, where the butterflies add a more sensitive level of throttle control. Same power and torque, just less shockingly delivered, and with no advantage. That's why raced CSR 260s tend to be converted away from roller-barrels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 10, 2023 Author Share Posted July 10, 2023 It's had a relatively low mileage, fully MOT'd (so road registered) history. Probably a lot of track driving, which is where a CSR 260 really comes alive. I can imagine the late surge in throttle response being a bit of a handful in damp conditions, where the butterflies add a more sensitive level of throttle control. Same power and torque, just less shockingly delivered, and with no advantage. That's why raced CSR 260s tend to be converted away from roller-barrels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 10, 2023 Author Share Posted July 10, 2023 Roll bar is standard FIA track bar. Colour is BMW Storm Grey, with orange accents. Wheels are Caterham Anthracite 15" 10 spoke wheels, 9" at rear and 6.5" at front, fitted in 2011. I'd upload more pictures, but on this site it's more complicated than opening a bank account if your surname is Farage. It's a stunning car, to drive, to look at, to listen to, to own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted July 10, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted July 10, 2023 Not complicated at all, you're just not trying hard enough. Click on the icon as in the photo below then choose your photo, easy peasy ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted July 10, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted July 10, 2023 Yes, all good Brian, but I think you're being a tad economical about the car's background...James Description:Caterham CSR 260 in Norfolk Yellow with V5 and Y7CSR registration plate. The car was first registered in 2006 and was used solely as a road car and sold to its second owner in 2012 who maintained it for road use as well as competing in NSSCC races in road trim until it was sold on in 2018. The present owner had the car modified into full race specification by the highly regarded Caterham specialist Luke Stevens and has competed in the NSSCC finishing 3rd in A1 class this year. All parts required to convert the car back to road legal spec are included in the sale. Full specification is as follows:HWR 2.3 Atlantic Spec race engine with steel crank, fully rebuilt in September 2019 with 45 minutes running time. A new AP clutch was fitted.Quaife 60G sequential 6 speed gearbox with Geartronics paddleshift system. The air compressor and accumulator were replaced for new in 2018. Upgraded prop shaft. AP racing brake master cylinder. Billeted rear uprights and new wheel bearings. BTB stainless steel exhaust system. Caterham race steering rack. Tillet carbon seats. FIA 40 litre bag tank. Full roll cage with drivers side impact protection. Carbon rear boot covers. Spa data logger and lap timer. 8" front wheels and 11" rear wheels with Pirelli slicks. 15" Black gloss Caterham wheels included. Removable Caterham passenger side aluminium tonneau and support rail. All spares in photos included. The car is stored in a heated garage and has only 14600 miles from new. Sale to fund a move into historic racing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted July 10, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted July 10, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted July 10, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted July 10, 2023 And also that the car seems to have fewer miles on the clock now than when it was advertised for sale on racecarsdirect.com several (four or more??) years ago.Look, I'm not saying the car isn't fabulous and I would be the first to agree that CSRs are designed for fast track work, but...James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 11, 2023 Author Share Posted July 11, 2023 Wow. If that 'was' this car it's been pretty much rebuilt from the ground up. Seats, roll cage, rear lid (which I wish it still had!) Do you know when it was raced? Theres a year gap in MOTs that I've just spotted. Mileage is a digital read out, so no idea how that could be fiddled with. The mileages on the MOTs all line up perfectly, and that's good enough for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 11, 2023 Author Share Posted July 11, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Shortshift Posted July 11, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted July 11, 2023 Here you go Brian:https://www.racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/110614/caterham-csr?Published_by_Mike_WaltersI thought I'd linked that to you previously, just after you bought the CSR?Plenty of images there and little doubt it's the same car!James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted July 11, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted July 11, 2023 Nice one with the upload button Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 11, 2023 Author Share Posted July 11, 2023 Thanks for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian T Posted July 11, 2023 Author Share Posted July 11, 2023 Yes, but this does confirm the engine is a well sorted, fully rebuilt corker (I have the receipt/description for that), the car has retained all of it's oil/cooling race-grade upgrades, steering rack, braking upgrades, and been made 'road comfy' with a Quaife straight cut 5 speed (long 1st & 2nd) gearbox. Along with some very tasteful bespoke upholstery that improves the driving environment. It's undoubtedly a well optioned car, and has just gone to Arch to ensure the chassis is absolutely and fully as it should be for future owners. It will be an outstanding example of the CSR 260, with every box ticked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtBuddha Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 Wait... so this is actually an ex race car that's had it's valuable/expensive 6-speed sequential gearbox and paddleshift removed, been repainted, and is now for sale for £10k more than it was previously advertised at and comes without any of the numerous spares that were previously included? What a deal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenF Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 Aside from the objections/comments above, Is a straight cut gearbox really a good idea for road use? Surely far too noisy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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