RP-X™-Equipped Lower Enjoys Thrilling Debut in 420R Caterham Championship

Thursday: A Promising Start

“The British GT race weekend at Donington Park GP marked a significant milestone for Charlie Lower, as he took on the challenge of competing in the 420R Caterham Championship. Despite only having driven a 420R race car once before at a touring car weekend, which was cut short due to red flags, Charlie was eager to prove himself against a formidable grid of seasoned racers from various motorsport backgrounds, including the Clio Cup and Porsche Carrera Cup.

“Thrown into the deep end on Thursday, Charlie began testing, working to understand the car and its slicks while finding the right setup. Impressively, he managed to set lap times just 0.7 of a tenth slower on old tyres compared to drivers on new tyres, indicating a promising start with his pace.”

Friday: A Setback and a Comeback

“However, Friday’s testing session didn’t go as smoothly. Charlie had an incident that resulted in a cracked sump and a broken engine, cutting his testing short. The team from Hardline and the mechanics from LFP sprang into action, working tirelessly to get the engine back together. Their dedication paid off, but the engine wasn’t ready until late Friday, leaving Charlie with minimal testing time.”

Saturday: Overcoming Challenges in Qualifying

“With minimal track time, Charlie headed into Saturday’s qualifying session, hoping that the setup was right and that he could adapt quickly to the brand-new slicks at Donington Park. Despite these challenges, he delivered a commendable performance, qualifying 8th out of 21 overall and 7th in the Pro-AM class, just one spot shy of qualifying for Superpole.”

Race 1: Navigating the Chaos

“Race 1 saw Charlie finding his footing amidst a completely new grid. A less-than-ideal start saw him lose a few positions off the line. However, Charlie wisely chose to stay out of trouble, navigating through the chaos as seven drivers were involved in DNFs around him. By keeping his nose clean, he achieved a solid result, finishing P7 overall and P6 in class.”

Race 2: Mastering the Wet Conditions

“The weather took a drastic turn for Race 2, presenting Charlie with the challenge of racing in wet conditions which he had never tested in at this circuit. Despite this, Charlie had a better start and held his position, eventually fighting his way up to the podium positions. Demonstrating exceptional car control and trust in his EBC brakes, he climbed to P2. As the track began to dry rapidly, two drivers on slicks managed to overtake him, but Charlie still secured a remarkable P4 overall and P3 in class, marking his first 420R podium in only his second outing in the car.”

Race 3: A Battle and a Setback

“Determined to achieve another podium, Charlie had a strong start in Race 3, quickly reaching the top three. However, just eight minutes into the race, another driver made an overly optimistic move, pushing Charlie off the track and dropping him to P15. Undeterred, Charlie fought back valiantly, climbing up to finish P10.”

“Charlie Lower’s performance at Donington Park showcased his adaptability, skill, and determination. Competing against a highly experienced field, he proved he could keep up and excel, particularly in challenging conditions. His achievements over the weekend, including a podium finish in Race 2, highlight his potential and promise for the future. As the team looks forward to the next round at Oulton Park next month, they do so with immense pride and anticipation for what Charlie can achieve.”